COVID-19

Wrestling's Medical Professionals on Front Lines of Pandemic

Wednesday, April 22, 2020 - 13:41 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (April 22) -- The wrestling community has always been larger than just its wrestlers on the mat. Today, as the sports fans, coaches, and administrators each "Stay Strong, and Stay at Home!" our sport's medical professionals are on the front lines battling the COVID-19 pandemic.

From all over the world wrestling's brave medical professionals are doing anything and everything they can to protect the lives of those in need during these unprecedented times.

"We are always grateful for our medical personnel, but I want us all to take an extra moment and celebrate their contribution and sacrifice," said United World Wrestling president Nenad Lalovic. "We are very proud of their efforts."

Dr. Babak Shadgan reviews his research project aimed at improving early diagnosis of COVID-19.

Dr. Babak Shadgan, the head of UWW Medical Commission and an Assistant Professor of orthopaedics at the University of British Columbia in Canada is leading a multi-center research project on development of a novel biosensor for screening and monitoring COVID-19 patients. Successful achievement by Dr. Shadgan and his research team will improve early diagnosis and treatment of patients affected by COVID-19.

Dr. Loukas Konstantinou, a trauma and sports orthopaedic surgeon in Greece and a member of the UWW Medical Commission is helping patients, including those infected by coronavirus.

“Our everyday work brings a high degree of vulnerability, concerning the contact with patients and citizens who are infected with the virus," said Konstantinou. "We take all the necessary steps to protect ourselves and our patients,” he said.

Dr. Szabolcs Molnar in surgery this month in Budapest.

Medical commission member Dr. Szabolcs Molnar exemplifies the dedication of medical professionals around the world. As an Assistant Professor of the orthopedics trauma for the largest hospital in Budapest, Molnar is working in the triage units and in the operating room. "I'm honored to do what I can to help my countrymen," he said.

The dangers of the virus are very real for front line workers. Medical commission member Dr. Sadegh Mahboubi had been treating patients in Iran throughout February and March before contracting COVID-19 himself. Most of the medical offices were closed so he stayed open and worked 18-hour days, but eventually had to rest after the disease affected his breathing.

"I didn't want a hospital bed occupied by me, so I was quarantined by my wife who is a doctor," he said. "If a wrestling match, I guess I lost to COVID, but I am back at work now to help."

Mahboubi says he lost 15 kilograms during his ordeal.

A recovered Dr. Sadegh Mahboubi in his office.

In the United States, a task force of former wrestlers, physicians and political leaders has been formed in an effort to create solutions for the sport's return to competition. The group is coming up with solutions for how to move into the next phase of life with the coronavirus still very much a concern. The working task force includes longtime wrestling physician Dr. Bernard Feldman and former Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price.

Other members of UWW Medical Commission including Dr. Stevan Sikimic, a respirologist in Serbia; Dr. Stefan Strugarov, a surgeon in Bulgaria; Dr Klaus Johann, an orthopaedic surgeon in Germany; Dr. Abdelghani Chahi, a cardiologist in Morocco; Dr. Jose Padilha, a surgeon in Brazil; Dr. Kohei Nakajima, an orthopaedic surgeon in Japan; Dr. Mika Lehto, a cardiologist in Finland; Dr. Carol Maitre in France; Dr. Irina Dulepova in Russia; and Dr. Elena Abaeva in Uzbekistan are all helping patients at the high-risk front line.

"I've said before that our sport knows struggle and we know how to fight," said Lalovic. "I'm very proud of our medical professionals and look forward to seeing them again on the field of play."

#Grappling

Brzozozwska makes golden debut at World Grappling Championships

Wednesday, October 15, 2025 - 16:22 By Vinay Siwach

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NOVI SAD, Serbia (October 15) -- Daria BRZOZOWSKA (POL) had competed against Ellen OBERBACH (GER) twice before their meeting on Wednesday at the World Grappling Championships.

Despite her 2-0 head-to-head record, Brzozowska was cautious of her approach against Oberbach as both met in the 58kg final in Novi Sad, Serbia. Both those wins came in June at the European Open in Warsaw, Poland.

"This was the third time I was competing against her," Brzozowska said. "I won in Warsaw but she must have studied me know and when I saw that she will be in the final against me here, I was thinking that it will be tough match."

Daria BRZOZOWSKA (POL)Daria BRZOZOWSKA (POL) reacts after winning the 58kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

After three wins via submission, Brzozowska went for a similar move in the final, trying a knee bar against Oberbach in the first minute. However, Oberbach defended that attempt and only gave up one point.

Brzozowska then hit a double leg takedown and controlled Oberbach on the mat for more than three seconds to earn two points. Both remained in that position and seeing that the Polish wrestler was not actively trying to make a move, she was called passive. But that was all Oberbach got and Brzozowska won the final 3-1.

"Just 10 seconds before the bout was about to finish, I thought, 'I did it'," she said. "My coach was shouting that just remain in this position and I may have started crying before the match finished."

This was Brzozowska's debut for Poland outside her country and showed that she belongs to the big stage. Trained by her father Chris, the 20-year-old began in wrestling but slowly tried other combat sports. She now trains at her father's club, ASW Panther, in Bydgoszcz, her hometown.

"My father is my coach," she said. "I have not told him that I won gold medal. What a secret to keep!"

Alsu IANSHINA (UWW)Alsu IANSHINA (UWW) tries to throw Sheliah LINDSEY (USA) in the 64kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

In the other women's Grappling final at the World Championships final on Wednesday, Alsu IANSHINA (UWW) defeated Sheliah LINDSEY (USA), 17-4, in the 64kg final to win the gold medal.

Ianshina was clearly the better grappler in the final as she hit two hip-toss to plant Lindsey on the mat with control to lead 2-0. She gave up control as she tried to use an arm-bar and Lindsey reversed the position took a side mount control to lead 2-2 on criteria.

However, that was short lived and Ianshina scored two points for side mount and three more for total control to lead 7-2. As she continued to hold Lindsey on the mat and remain active as well, she got four points for third control and led 11-4.

As both wrestlers grappled, Lindsey got on top after a roll and scored two points. However, Ianshina once again managed to mount and score two points and four-point control and win 17-4.

Ruslan RADZHABKHANOV (UWW)Ruslan RADZHABKHANOV (UWW) tries to control Magomedbek TEMEEV (UWW) in the 62kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

In the three men's Grappling weight classes, Ruslan RADZHABKHANOV (UWW) upgraded his silver medal from last year to gold after beating Magomedbek TEMEEV (UWW), 3-3, on criteria in the 62kg final.

At 66kg, Magomed SHAKHBANOV (UWW) submitted Yurii CHERKALIUK (UKR) in quick time to win the final and the gold medal.

Hajimurad PURTIYEV (AZE) gave Azerbaijan its second gold medal of the World Championships when he defeated Davud MAGOMEDOV (UWW), 4-2, in the 84kg final.

RESULTS

Women's Grappling

58kg
GOLD: Daria BRZOZOWSKA (POL) df. Ellen OBERBACH (GER), 3-1

BRONZE: Varvara MASHKINA (UWW) df. Breanna STIKKELMAN (USA), 6-2
BRONZE: Magdalena GIEC (POL) df. Nuraiym MUNAITBAS (KAZ), 12-2

64kg
GOLD: Alsu IANSHINA (UWW) df. Sheliah LINDSEY (USA), 17-4

BRONZE: Mia MONTESINOS PERDOMO (ESP) df. Snezhana MORAR (UKR), 4-2
BRONZE: Adrianna MAZUR (POL) df. Emma ROSINI (ITA), 3-3

Men's Grappling

62kg
GOLD: Ruslan RADZHABKHANOV (UWW) df. Magomedbek TEMEEV (UWW), 3-3

BRONZE: Talgat ZHUMAGALIYEV (KAZ) df. Kiryl AHEIKA (UWW), 2-0
BRONZE: Rafayel KOSTANYAN (ARM) df. Adlan ASUEV (KAZ), via submission (4- 4)

66kg
GOLD: Magomed SHAKHBANOV (UWW) df. Yurii CHERKALIUK (UKR), via submission

BRONZE: Khabib ATLUEV (UWW) df. Jesse SOSA (USA), via submission
BRONZE: Anthony DE OLIVEIRA (FRA) df. Giorgi RAZMADZE (GEO), 7-2

84kg
GOLD: Hajimurad PURTIYEV (AZE) df. Davud MAGOMEDOV (UWW), 4-2

BRONZE: Maxat TOLENDI (KAZ) df. Magzhan MARATKHAN (KAZ), 2-0
BRONZE: Christian FRILLICI (ITA) df. Giuseppe LAMANNA (USA), via forfeit