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)

#WrestleParis

Techniques, safety, focus: UWW referees ready for Paris 2024

By United World Wrestling Press

ATHENS, Greece (August 1) -- United World Wrestling referees for Paris 2024 completed a three-day seminar from June 21 to 23, hosted by the Greek Wrestling Federation in Athens. The seminar was held to prepare for the Olympics, where referees will be ITOs.

The program consisted of self and group analysis of previous performance, theoretical study, mental preparedness, medical and safety training as well as on-the-mat training with Women's Wrestling, Freestyle, and Greco-Roman wrestlers and coaching experts.

Led by the President of the UWW Athletes Commission, Arsen JULFALAKYAN, as well as coaches Alfred TER-MKRTCHYAN, Patrick NUDING and Amiran KARDANOV and wrestlers Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) and Christos KOUTSOURIDIS (GRE), referees analyzed common wrestling techniques and tactics in all styles and the proper philosophy and mechanisms referees should utilize when evaluating these situations.

Referee seminar

During these sessions, Julfalakyan also emphasized concerns and questions he receives from wrestlers and how we can improve the communication between athletes and referees when discussing the application of the rules.

Mental strength training sessions were led by Holger KNOLL, a trained mental strength coach specializing in athlete training. His sessions focused on how referees can improve their concentration and focus before, during and after competitions.

Babak SHADGAN, President of the UWW Medical Commission, provided medical and safety training, with focus on the role a referee plays in injury prevention.

In addition to the referee's instruction, Tristan MORAD, UWW Sports Department Coordinator, provided a presentation on the logistics and schedule of the wrestling of Paris 2024.

United World Wrestling and the UWW Referee Commission graciously thank the Greek Wrestling Federation and its President, Stergios LEONKIS, and UWW Bureau Vice President, Theodore HAMAKOS and numerous volunteers for their organization and hospitality in hosting the seminar.