#Zagreb2018

Five Continental Champions Highlight Cadet World Semifinals

Tuesday, July 3, 2018 - 14:46 By Taylor Miller

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ZAGREB, Croatia – The semifinals for the second set of men’s freestyle weights have been determined at the 2018 Cadet World Championships, which feature five 2018 Cadet continental champions.

Included in that group are Rahman AMOUZADKHALILI (IRI) at 45 kg, Adem UZUN (TUR) at 51 kg, Hamza ALACA (TUR) at 60 kg, Bagrati GAGNIDZE (GEO) at 71 kg and Ali Reza ABDOLLAHI (IRI) at 92 kg.

Amouzadkhalili, who won the 2018 Cadet Asian Championships, will wrestle Ahmet YUCEL (TUR), while the other semi at 48 kg will feature Rafayel HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) and Chance LAMER (USA).

Cadet European champion Uzun, who finished fifth at the 2016 Cadet Worlds in Greco and fifth at the 2017 Cadet Worlds in freestyle, will wrestle Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) in the 51 kg semis.

On the other side of the bracket Matthew RAMOS (USA) and Seyedfran JAFARIANGELYERD (IRI) will go head-to-head.

Three-time Cadet European medalist and 2018 Cadet European champion Alaca will face off against Shamil MAMEDOV (RUS) at 60 kg tonight.

Cadet World veteran Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE), who is making his third appearance to the World Championships, has already guaranteed his best finish at the event, heading to the 60 kg semis. He will face Sabir JAFAROV (AZE).

This year’s Cadet Asian champion Bagrati GAGNIDZE (GEO) headlines the 71 kg semifinals and will go up against Dominik MEZEI (HUN), while the other match pits Alex FACUNDO (USA) against Baliyan GOURAV (IND).

At 92 kg, there are three continental medalists. Leading the way is Cadet Asian champion Abdollahi. In the semis, he will take on Johannes MAYER (GER), who was the silver-medal winner at the 2018 Cadet European Championships.

Last year’s Cadet Euro silver medalist Omer AGTAS (TUR) advanced to the semifinals and will face Giorgi CHANKSELIANI (GEO) for a bid to the finals.

The semifinals for the above five weights will be contested at 5:30 p.m. local time (11:30 a.m. ET), followed by the finals at 48 kg, 55 kg, 65 kg, 80 kg and 110 kg live on unitedworldwrestling.com.

Semifinal pairings
48 kg
Ahmet YUCEL (TUR) vs. Rahman AMOUZADKHALILI (IRI)
Rafayel HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) vs. Chance LAMER (USA)

51 kg
Matthew RAMOS (USA) vs. Seyedfran JAFARIANGELYERD (IRI)
Adem UZUN (TUR) vs. Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN)

60 kg
Sabir JAFAROV (AZE) vs. Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE)
Shamil MAMEDOV (RUS) vs. Hamza ALACA (TUR)

71 kg
Bagrati GAGNIDZE (GEO) vs. Dominik MEZEI (HUN)
Alex FACUNDO (USA) vs. Baliyan GOURAV (IND)

92 kg
Omer AGTAS (TUR) vs. Giorgi CHANKSELIANI (GEO)
Johannes MAYER (GER) vs. Ali Reza ABDOLLAHI (IRI)

 

#development

Algeria Hosts Successful UWW Level 1 Coaches Course

Friday, May 15, 2026 - 03:39 By United World Wrestling Press

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FOUKA, TIPAZA, Algeria (May 15) -- A United World Wrestling Level 1: Introduction to Coaching and Safety coaching course was successfully organized by the Algerian Wrestling Federation, UWW and Olympic Solidarity.

The five-day course was organized at the National Teams Training and Preparation Center in Fouka, Tipaza from May 7 to 11 and it brought together wrestling coaches from across Algeria in an atmosphere marked by discipline, professionalism, and a shared commitment to developing wrestling at both national and continental levels.

The course was conducted by international UWW experts Vincent AKA and Ahmed KHEDHRI, who delivered theoretical and practical sessions focused on modern coaching methodology, athlete safety, technical development, and the core principles of international wrestling training standards.

Algeria

Throughout the course, participants demonstrated remarkable engagement, collaboration, and enthusiasm. Coaches exchanged experiences, strengthened their technical knowledge, and reinforced their collective ambition to contribute to the long-term growth of Algerian wrestling.

The closing ceremony, highlighted by the presentation of certificates to all participants, reflected the success of the program and the strong educational momentum currently shaping wrestling development in Algeria.

During the course, several participants expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the quality of the training and the spirit of unity created throughout the event.

"This training was a true source of inspiration for all of us. Thanks to the professionalism, pedagogy, and expertise shared during the course, we experienced an unforgettable educational journey," said Fodil BOURAS SIDAHEMED on behalf of the group “Les Guerriers.”

Another participant, AK DJAHID, praised the atmosphere among the coaches, emphasizing “solidarity, respect, professionalism, and exemplary behavior throughout the entire course.”

UWW

The event also coincided with the official visit of Development Director of UWW Deqa NIAMKEY, who visited several wrestling development sites in Algeria and met with national sports authorities.

During her visit, Niamkey highlighted the impressive progress achieved by the Algerian Wrestling Federation in recent years and reaffirmed UWW’s support for the federation’s ambitious long-term development strategy, particularly its investment in youth wrestling and grassroots programs.