#WrestleBudapest

Chekhirkin to Replace Vlasov at European OG Qualifier

By Eric Olanowski

BUDAPEST, Hungary (March 15) -- Two-time Olympic champion Roman VLASOV (RUS) has been replaced as Russia's 77kg representative at the  European OG Qualifier by Aleksandr CHEKHIRKIN (RUS). 

Coincidentally, the last time Chekhirkin replaced Vlasov as Russia's guy, was also in Budapest. Vlasov tore his knee less than two weeks before the '18 World Championships, and Chekhirkin stepped in and claimed world gold at 77kg. He won six bouts en route to gold and captured wins over world medalists Viktor NEMES (SRB), Elvin MURSALIYEV (AZE), Alex KESSIDIS (SWE) before edging eventual '19 world champion Tamas LORINCZ (HUN), 3-1, in the finals.

If Chekhirkin does qualify this weekend, there hasn't been any indication of who will receive the nod for Russian when the Tokyo Olympics roll around. That will be determined at a later date.

In addition to Russia's Greco-Roman update at 77kg, they also removed Olympic champion Davit CHAKVETADZE (RUS) and inserted Milad ALIRZAEV (RUS) at 87ikg. And at 130kg, they confirmed that '18 world champion Sergei SEMENOV (RUS) will be their man.

For a full list of updated European OG Qualifier entries, please click HERE.

#WrestleZagreb, #development

Enhance Zagreb experience: Conferences, workshops, fan zones

By United World Wrestling Press

ZAGREB, Croatia (September 3) -- The World Championships in Zagreb will be another milestone for United World Wrestling and its promote wrestling.

From assistance to first-ever world conference, UWW is set to host numerous activities before and during the World Championships that enhance the experience of wrestlers, coaches, fans and other stakeholders.

As many 114 athletes and coaches from 41 countries will receive financial assistance from UWW's Technical Assistance Program for the World Championships. They will receive financial support to participate in the tournament for their respective nations. 

Continuing it's Elite Female Coaches Scholarships, UWW has awarded it to five coaches for the World Championships. Four-time Olympic champion Kaori ICHO (JPN) and Africa's first Olympic medalist in Women's Wrestling Marwa AMRI (TUN) will be two of the beneficiaries of this scholarships.

During the World Championships, UWW will host its first-ever World Conference, from September 17-19. The three-day event will bring together leaders from national federations and various commissions to discuss the future of wrestling. Key topics include athlete career transitions, anti-doping, sports nutrition, and the advancement of women's wrestling.

A workshop for the National Federations is also scheduled to be held on September 19 during the World Conference.

The Scientific Symposium will also held during September 17-19 to discuss scientific wrestling, weight management, data analysis among other topics.

The World Championships will also witness the UWW Athletes' Commission Elections. These will be held throughout the World Championships, September 13-21, with participating wrestlers able to vote for the nominees.

For the wrestlers, the Croatian Wrestling Federation, with the support of UWW will organize an acclimatization camp from September 5 to 16 in Porec, organized by the Croatian NF and financially supported by UWW.

During the acclimatization camp, an education booth will be set up by the Integrational Testing Agency (ITA), on September 8 and 9. The booth is set up to educate wrestlers, coaches and mangers about anti-doping programs.
 
The Zagreb Arena will have fan zones with activities as well throughout the September 13-21 World Championships.