#kaspeuro2018

Eleven Nations Represented in Day Four Women's Wrestling Semifinals

Thursday, May 3, 2018 - 11:02 By Eric Olanowski

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KASPIISK, Russia (May 3) - Russian women reached the semifinals in four of the five weight categories during the fourth day of competition at the 2018 European Championships. Ten other nations will be represented in the semifinals with Belarus and Bulgaria each having a trio of wrestlers vying for a spot in tomorrow’s finalist. 

Two of the most intriguing semifinals match-ups will be at 53kg and 57kg. 

Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) and Stalvira ORSHUSH (RUS) will battle for the finals spot at 53kg. 

Poland’s Krawczyk, a two-time European medalist is on a quest to make her second trip to the finals. She finished with a silver medalist after dropping the 2015 European Games finals to Sweden's Sofia MATTSSON.

Orshush has been on a tear this year, only dropping a single match. She’s currently ranked no. 11 in the world after capturing the Klippan Lady Open gold medal and the silver medal at the Ivan Yarygin. 


At 57kg, Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE) and Irina OLOGONOVA (RUS) will wrestle for a spot in Friday night’s finals.

Ologonova, the three-time world finalist will be making her second finals appearance. In her first showing at the European Championships, the Russian walked away with the gold medal.

Kolesnik, last years European bronze medalist will be looking to make her first senior-level Euro finals.

Other wrestlers to pay attention to in tonight's semifinals are 2017 world champion, Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (BLR), 2016 Rio bronze medalist, Jenny FRANSSON (SWE) and world no. 1 Petra OLLI (FIN). 

MATCH-UPS 
53kg
SEMIFINAL - Stalvira ORSHUSH (RUS) vs. Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) 
SEMIFINAL - Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) vs. Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (BLR)

Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL). (Photo by Max Rose-Fyne) 

57kg
SEMIFINAL - Irina OLOGONOVA (RUS) vs. Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE) 
SEMIFINAL - Emese BARKA (HUN) vs. Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL)

62kg
SEMIFINAL -  Taybe Mustafa YUSEIN (BUL) vs. Veranika IVANOVA (BLR) 
SEMIFINAL - Inna TRAZHUKOVA (RUS) vs. Luzie MANZKE (GER)

65kg
SEMIFINAL - Viktoria BOBEVA (BUL) vs. Petra OLLI (FIN)
SEMIFINAL - Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) vs. Henna JOHANSSON (SWE)

Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (BLR). (Photo by Max Rose-Fyne) 

68kg
SEMIFINAL - Alena PEREPELKINA (RUS) vs. Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (BLR) 
SEMIFINAL - Jenny FRANSSON (SWE) vs. Beste ALTUG (TUR)

#development

UWW Donates Mats to Mauritius for Regional Development Project

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 - 11:57 By United World Wrestling Press

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MAURITUS (April 27) -- United World Wrestling has donated wrestling mats to the Mauritius National Wrestling and Allied Games Association. The mats were provided through UWW’s partner and sponsor, Taishan Sports, in support of the Olympic Solidarity/ UWW Regional Development Program.

The mats will be used as part of the OS/UWW regional program, which aims to strengthen wrestling development in Mauritius and create a lasting impact across the East Africa region. By improving access to quality training facilities and equipment, the initiative seeks to support athletes, coaches, and youth participation while helping national federations raise standards across the region.

The regional program is scheduled to take place from October 9 to 18, 2026 and will combine athlete training camps, coaches’ education, referees’ courses, and a regional competition to conclude the activities. Olympic Solidarity will soon send invitations to all National Olympic Committees in East Africa to participate in the program.

The President of the Mauritius National Wrestling and Allied Games Association Joel ANTOINETTE highly appreciated the donation.

“We are incredibly grateful for the generous donation of these wrestling mats," Antoinette said. "This contribution is more than just equipment; it’s the foundation for a new era. We promise to honor this gift by working tirelessly to revolutionize the Wrestling sport, pushing boundaries, and elevating our athletes to heights."

Thanks to the support of the Mauritius National Olympic Committee, this is not the first time that the Mauritius National Wrestling Association has organized such educational events. Over the past years, they have successfully delivered several Olympic Solidarity/UWW development activities at both national and regional levels.

Mauritius has increased its presence on the international wrestling stage in recent years, with athletes competing more regularly at major events thanks to the continued support of the Mauritius National Olympic Committee and the Mauritius Wrestling federation. This progress reflects the growing ambition of the federation and the country’s commitment to advancing the sport.