Arab C'Ships

United World Wrestling Supports Iraq as Nation Hosts First Wrestling Event in Decades

Thursday, April 26, 2018 - 14:56 By Tim Foley

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BAGHDAD (April 26) -- The nation of Iraq hosted the Cadet Arab Wrestling Championships last week in Baghdad -- the first event sanctioned in Iraq by United World Wrestling since the 1987 Arab Wrestling Championships.

In order to qualify to host the event, United World Wrestling required the Wrestling Federation of Iraq to meet exceptional safety standard for all athletes, delegations and fans.

Wrestlers from eight Arab nations competed the championships (Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen), with four (Iraq, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen) earning gold medal finishes in either Greco-Roman or freestyle wrestling.  The teams competed under championship conditions on two mats inside of a 2500-person arena.

The opening ceremony was attended by the head of the Iraqi National Olympic Committee Raad HAMOUDI, President of the Arab Union Zamel SHAHARANI, and United World Wrestling bureau member Fouad MESKOUT. In opening the competition, the pair outlined the importance of sport in creating good will among nations, and the vital role sports like wrestling play in helping countries promote peace and safety.

Meskout also gave special thanks to all the volunteers and workers responsible for delivering a safe and productive championship event.

Islamic Solidarity Games 2025 Live Blog: Day 2

Wednesday, November 19, 2025 - 07:03 By Vinay Siwach

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (November 19) — The Islamic Solidarity Games 2025 will enter the second day with two Greco-Roman weight classes, 97kg and 130kg, and three women’s wrestling weight classes — 50kg, 53kg and 57kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER

10:40: Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) and Elvira SULEYMAN (TUR) went neck-to-neck before the former stepped up her game and secured a five-point lead 13-8. Suleyman scored a four-point and two counters to score her 8 points while Aliyeva kept coming back every time Suleyman scored. But soon, Aliyeva scored two counter lifts to win the match 15-10 at 57kg.

10:25: Two quick finishes in Round 1 at 57kg in women’s. Elvira SULEYMAN (TUR) laces MIM (BAN) for a 10-0 win while Sezim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) beats Veronica AYO (UGA) 10-0 as well.

10:15: World U23 champion Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) squares up against the Mohamed ABDELLATIF (EGY) in Round 1 at Greco 130kg. He begins with a stepout before securing the first par terre advantage. He scores one more point to win 3-0.

10:05: Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) takes little time to secure the fall over Chahd JELJELI (TUN) in the first bout at 57kg. The former world U23 champion is the favorite to win gold here.

10:00: Day two of the Islamic Solidarity Games and we have Olympic and world champion Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI), Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI), Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) among other stars in action.