#WrestleAlmaty

11 Reigning Champs Looking to Reclaim Asian Supremacy

Monday, April 12, 2021 - 14:52 By Eric Olanowski

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ALMATY, Kazakhstan (April 12) – Eleven gold medalists from last year’s Asian Championships return to the mat this week in Almaty with hopes of defending their New Delhi continental crowns from a year ago. Greco-Roman welcomes six returning champions, while a trio of women’s wrestlers and a pair of freestyle champs are searching for back-to-back podium-topping finishes.

Iran’s loaded Greco-Roman squad is highlighted by ’20 Asian champions Poya Soulat DAD MARZ (IRI), Amin Yavar KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI) and Mahdi Asgar EBRAHIMI (IRI). They’ll wrestle at 55kg, 72kg and 82kg, respectively.

The other three returning Greco-Roman champs making the trip to Kazakhstan are Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB), Tamerlan SHADUKAYEV (KAZ) and Kumar SUNIL (IND). Tasmuradov, a Rio Olympic bronze medalist, is not only looking to defend his '20 title, but he’s looking for a sixth overall Asian gold medal. He’ll wrestle at 63kg. Last year’s 77kg and 130kg champs, respectively, Shadukayev and Sunil, will compete at their title-winning weights from ’20.

Japan’s women’s team claimed five of the ten golds last year, but after contract tracing removed the defending team champions from the competition, women’s wrestling welcomes the trio of reigning champions Pinki PINKI (IND), Sarita SARITA (IND) and Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ).

Pinki is entered at 55kg. Her biggest threat to repeating is her ’20 finals opponent Dulguun MUNKHBOLD BOLORMAA (MGL). Sarita and Bakbergenova are the lone returning medalists at 59kg and 72kg, respectively.

In freestyle, lightweight stars Kumar RAVI (IND) and Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) are looking to claim a second consecutive continental crown. 

Returning champ Ravi is entered at 57kg – the same weight where he claimed his ’19 world bronze. 

Otoguro will share the 65kg bracket with his ’20 Asian finals opponent Bajrang BAJRANG (IND) and ’19 world silver medalist Daulet NIYAZBEKOV (KAZ).

Wrestling begins on Tuesday (April 13-18) at 11:00 (local time) with Greco-Roman action. Women's wrestling takes center stage on Thursday while freestyle action closes out the tournament beginning on Friday.

Returning Champs by Style:
Freestyle
57kg - Kumar RAVI (IND)
65kg - Takuto OTOGURO (JPN)

Greco-Roman
50kg - Poya Soulat DAD MARZ (IRI)
63kg - Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB)
72kg - Amin Yavar KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI)
77kg - Tamerlan SHADUKAYEV (KAZ)
82kg - Mahdi Asgar EBRAHIMI (IRI)
87kg - Kumar SUNIL (IND)

Women’s Wrestling
55kg - Pinki PINKI (IND)
59kg - Sarita SARITA (IND)
72kg - Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ)

#development

Women's coaches and referees course held in Colombia

Thursday, April 24, 2025 - 12:59 By United World Wrestling Press

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RIONEGRO, Colombia (April 23) -- An unprecedented international course, exclusively for Spanish-speaking female coaches and referees, was held in Rionegro, Colombia from April 16 to 18.

Organized by United World Wrestling (UWW) with support from Olympic Solidarity, the event took place at the Recinto Quirama, gathering 33 participants from 15 Latin American countries.

The course was inaugurated by UWW Development Director Deqa NIAMKEY, UWW Sport and Development Officer Yuri Maier and member of the UWW Americas Executive Committee Fanny ECHEVERRY.

The educational sessions were led by Rafael GALVA LEBRON, an Olympic referee and member of the UWW Referee Commission, known for his passionate and dynamic teaching style and Raul TRUJILLO DIAZ, one of the most respected Greco-Roman wrestling coaches globally, recognized for guiding the legendary Olympic champion Mijain LOPEZ (CUB).

Throughout three days filled with camaraderie, learning, and solidarity, the participants engaged in integrated theoretical and practical sessions conducted in a shared venue.

This approach facilitated dynamic exchanges, ongoing dialogue between coaches and referees, and created a supportive and collaborative learning environment. The course activities included live simulations, technical analyses, motivational talks, and workshops on leadership and personal development.

Notably, the event featured motivational speeches by Jackeline RENTERIA, Colombia's two-time Olympic medalist and a leading figure in Women's Wrestling on the continent, and Jessica ECHEVERRY, President of the Risaraldense Wrestling League.

Both speakers emphasized shared experiences and the importance of women supporting each other beyond individual differences.

COLParticipants listen to United World Wrestling's Development Department's opening remarks. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

"This course was a significant opportunity to continue learning and to give back to the sport that has given me so much," Nes RODRIGUEZ (PUR) said. "Now, as a sports director, my goal is to inspire children and youth by showing them that sports can provide a life full of opportunities beyond any hardships."

Other expressed how motivated they were after attending the courses.

"It reminded me of the importance of never giving up, not only as a coach but also as a woman," Keliyojana VAZQUEZ (MEX) said. "I'm returning home with new tools to improve my work and appreciate myself more in every aspect."

"I leave with the commitment to build networks of support and communication among us," Paula GRAJALES (COL) said. "We are friends and colleagues who must unite to grow together and continue transforming our communities and the sport."

The pioneering course, aligned with the Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (GEDI) agenda of the International Olympic Committee, represented a historic milestone for women's wrestling in Latin America

The notable personal growth experienced by the participants confirmed that when women come together and put aside competition, they significantly amplify their transformative power, strengthening the future of women's sports in the region.