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)

Development

More Than Medals Americas wraps up in Rio de Janeiro

By United World Wrestling Press

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (July 8) — With young athletes at the center of United World Wrestling’s development strategy, the 2025 edition of *More Than Medals Americas* was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from June 23rd to 29th, following the U17 Pan-American Championships.

Over the course of seven days, 46 wrestlers and 10 coaches from 11 countries came together for a full program of training sessions, educational workshops, cultural excursions, and recreational activities making this a comprehensive experience beyond the mat.

Held at the state-of-the-art facilities of CEFAN (Centro de Educação Física Almirante Adalberto Nunes), the camp kicked off with a vibrant opening ceremony, attended by Brazilian Wrestling Federation President Flavio Cabral and UWW Education Director Zach Erret. The schedule included three daily meals, on-site accommodation, and seamless logistics that contributed to the event's success.

Among the educational highlights were sessions on safe sport, mental health, injury prevention, and anti-doping each delivered by expert facilitators in a format designed to foster active participation from the athletes. These workshops aimed to equip young wrestlers not only with athletic tools but with life skills as well.

The technical sessions were held on four official mats, strength training, and physical conditioning. Coaches collaborated in a joint planning meeting to create an integrated training environment, where athletes learned from each other’s styles and backgrounds.

Outside the gym, participants explored the iconic city of Rio de Janeiro. They visited Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer, and the historic Maracanã Stadium. An ecological outing to Copacabana Beach was also part of the program, emphasizing environmental awareness—even if a planned cleanup was rendered unnecessary thanks to local conservation efforts.

This edition of *More Than Medals* once again demonstrated the transformative power of sport. Participants described the experience as “great,” and organizers emphasized that the success of the program lies in its ability to holistically nurture the next generation of wrestlers not just as athletes, but as global citizens.