Anti-Doping

Zelimkhan KHADJIEV Suspended for Anti-Doping Violation

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (July 6) -- In accordance with Article 14.3 of the United World Wrestling Anti-Doping Rules (“UWW ADR”), the UWW hereby reports that the Athlete Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (France) has committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation under Article 2.1 of the UWW ADR – Presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in an Athlete’s Sample.

The sample collected from the athlete on 21 September 2019 during the UWW Senior World Championship 2019 has revealed the presence of the prohibited substance trimetazidine, listed under  S.4 Hormone and Metabolic Modulators of the 2019 and 2020 WADA Prohibited Lists and prohibited at all times.

The Athlete has been sanctioned as follows:

1. Mr Zelimkhan KHADJIEV has committed a violation of Article 2.1 of the UWW ADR.
2. Mr Zelimkhan KHADJIEV is suspended for a period of Ineligibility of 4 years.
3. The period of Ineligibility starts from the date of the decision (6 July 2020), with deduction of the provisional suspension already served by the athlete as from 21 November 2019, and shall remain in full force and effect until 20 November 2023.
4. In accordance with Articles 9 and 10.8 of the UWW ADR, all the competitive results of the Athlete from 21 September 2019 until 21 November 2019 are disqualified with all the resulting consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.

The Athlete may appeal against this decision within twenty-one days from the date of reception of the decision.

Revised Final Standings from 2019 World Championships

1. Zaurbek SIDAKOV (RUS)
2. Frank CHAMIZO (ITA)
3. Jordan BURROUGHS (USA)
3. Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ)
5. Mao OKUI (JPN)
5. Kamil RYBICKI (POL)

United World Wrestling Statement on Iranian Wrestlers

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (February 27) -- United World Wrestling recognizes that global conflicts and political tensions deeply impact sport, and wrestling in particular. While UWW’s ability to directly influence national or international affairs is limited, the organization remains firmly committed to supporting wrestlers and advocating for their protection wherever possible, including through sport diplomacy and engagement with the broader wrestling and Olympic community.

UWW has activated its contacts within the sports movement following the recent events in Iran. The organization has received reports from various sources, though their full accuracy is difficult to verify.

Reports suggest that some situations may have been resolved in the meantime, but wrestler Saleh Mohammadi remains at risk of a capital sentence in Iran. UWW calls for a fair, transparent, and impartial trial, conducted in full respect of fundamental rights, and reaffirms its opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances.

United World Wrestling continues to closely monitor the situation while mourning all the victims affected by this tragedy.