#USAWrestling

Now Hiring: USA Wrestling National Women's Freestyle Assistant Coach 

By United World Wrestling Press

Position: USA Wrestling National Women’s Freestyle Assistant Coach
Reports to:  USA Wrestling National Women’s Freestyle Head Coach
Position Summary: USA Wrestling is seeking a highly motivated, successful coach to help lead the Women’s Freestyle National Team throughout the United States. The National Women’s Freestyle Assistant Coach is responsible for the development and training of the country’s top Women’s Senior age level athletes.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Help manage & train the OPTC Senior Women’s Resident Program
    • Recruit and develop top Senior athletes from within the USAW pipeline
    • Assist in developing and implementing the yearly competition and training schedule
  • Assist the National Women’s Freestyle Coach in development and implementation of a national talent identification program
  • Help manage the athletes within the women’s development camp system
  • Work with USA Wrestling staff, coaches, athletes, and volunteer coaches to advance women’s freestyle programs
  • Maintain consistent communication with all women’s freestyle stakeholders, including athletes, coaches, volunteers, and officials
  • Work with the Women’s Freestyle National Team Coaches and National Coaches Education Manager to improve the freestyle portion of USA Wrestling’s Core Curriculum Series
  • Represent USA Wrestling at international coaching clinics and conduct domestic grassroots promotional activities
  • Work closely with the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) Sports Performance Staff to apply sports science principles to the sport of wrestling
  • Assist in execution and development of a recruiting program aimed at drawing top-level NCAA and NAIA athletes to women’s freestyle wrestling national programming
  • Recruit, cultivate, and support the women’s freestyle volunteer coaching pool
  • Help raise awareness of women’s freestyle wrestling and promote participation in the sport
  • Develop and coordinate local, regional, national, and international training opportunities for the Women’s freestyle program
  • Assist the National Women’s Freestyle Head Coach in the development of a 4-year High- Performance Plan for each Olympic Quadrennium.
  • Assist the National Women’s Freestyle Head Coach in developing and maintaining annual budgets.
  • Identify potential opportunities for external funding and assist in other fundraising opportunities as directed by the National Women’s Freestyle Head Coach.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Competencies and Skills: USA Wrestling seeks an individual who:

  • Has developed elite level athletes
  • Is experienced in leading teams
  • Is skilled in the recruiting process
  • Motivates and inspires athletes
  • Understands long-term athlete development
  • Communicates effectively
  • Creates a positive and enthusiastic environment
  • Works well in a team environment
  • Effectively evaluates athlete talent, strengths, and weaknesses
  • Follows and respects organizational policies and procedures 

Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) or higher 

Travel: Domestic and International travel is required

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must be able to successfully pass a USA Wrestling background screening (prior to hire date).
  • Must successfully complete SafeSport Certification within two weeks of hire date.

HIRING PAY RANGE: $60,000-90,000 PER YEAR DEPENDING ON EXPERIENCE, COMMENSURATE WITH QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE.

BENEFITS

  • Paid vacation, personal and sick time
  • Approximately 10 paid holidays per year
  • 403 (b) retirement plan
  • Medical, dental and vision insurance
  • Employer paid life insurance

Other Information
The USA Wrestling Office is located in Colorado Springs, CO - ability to work from the office is  required.
USA Wrestling is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Application Process: 
Interested candidates should send a cover letter,resume, and/or questions    to:
Cody Bickley 
+1.719.265.3647 (officedirect) cbickley@usawrestling.org

#WrestleTirana

Kayaalp Nears Record-Breaking 13th European Gold

By Vinay Siwach

TIRANA, Albania (April 20) -- Riza KAYAALP (TUR) is now one win away from becoming the most successful Greco-Roman wrestler in Europe.

At the European Championships in Tirana, Kayaalp reached the 130kg final on Monday to take a step closer to breaking Aleksandr KARELIN's long-time record of 12 European gold medals.

UWW Plus

Kayaalp was returning to the European Championships after two years and showed now signs of as he began with a fall over Albert VARDANYAN (ARM) using an arm throw before winning a 1-1 battle against Marat KAMPAROV (UWW).

In a dramatic semifinal which resulted in the disqualification of Pavel HLINCHUK (UWW), Kayaalp kept his composure despite the aggression of Hlinchuk, a former U23 world champion.

Kayaalp got the par terre advantage in the first period but Hlinchuk escaped. However, he tried to throw Kayaalp who blocked the throw and landed on top for two points, making his lead 3-0. Hlinchuk challenged the decision but lost it and Kayaalp led 4-0.

Riza KAYAALP (TUR)Riza KAYAALP (TUR) wrestles Marat KAMPAROV (UWW) in the quarterfinal of 130kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Perhaps it was coming as the referee had warned the two wrestlers time and again to wrestle without aggression. But 30 seconds before the end of the first period, Kayaalp used a strong hand on Hlinchuk's neck. Hlinchuk first responded with shoulder to Kayaalp and then proceed to slap the Turkish wrestler who fell on the mat.

The judges decided to disqualify Hlinchuk from the competition for his act and Kayaalp, supported by a very vocal Turkish team, entered his 15th European Championships final.

He will now face Darius VITEK (HUN) who held on to his 1-1 criteria win over Beka KANDELAKI (AZE) and who now stands between Kayaalp and history.

Semen NOVIKOV (BUL)Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) tries to throw Islam ABBASOV (AZE) during the 87kg semifinals. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Novikov faces Bisultanov

After a season off, Olympic champion and returning silver medalist Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) will be in the 87kg final to change the color of his medal when he takes on Olympic bronze medalist Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN).

Bisultanov and Novikov faced each other in Paris and the Bulgarian defeated Bisultanov 5-1 in the opening round.

But Bisultanov looked in control in Tirana as he pinned Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) in the semifinals while Novikov managed to beat returning bronze medalist Islam ABBASOV (AZE), 4-0.

Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM)Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) defeated Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) in the 77kg semifinals. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Four-time and defending champion Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) returned to the final with an easy 3-1 victory in the semifinal over Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) to set up a rematch of 2025 European final against Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO).

The Georgian will be keen on avenging that loss against Amoyan after he reach the final, beating Robert FRITSCH (HUN), 8-0, using two big throws for four points each.

In a shock at 63kg, U23 world champion Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) stunned defending champion Kerem KAMAL (TUR), 6-5, in the semifinals.

Kamal was leading 5-0 but Eriomenco managed to score from par terre. His two-point takedown was challenged by Turkiye but he lost the challenge, giving Eriomenco the clear lead.

For the gold medal, Eriomenco will face veteran and former world champion Sergey EMELIN (UWW) who scored an easy 9-0 technical superiority win over Mairbek SALIMOV (POL).

At 55kg, world champion and returning bronze medalist Vakhtang LOLUA (GEO) moved into his first European final after beating Manvel KHACHATRYAN (ARM), 3-1.

He will face defending champion Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) who defeated Omer RECEP (TUR), 11-0.

Photo

RESULTS

55kg
SF 1: Vakhtang LOLUA (GEO) df. Manvel KHACHATRYAN (ARM), 3-1
SF 2: Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) df. Omer RECEP (TUR), 11-0

63kg
SF 1: Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) df. Kerem KAMAL (TUR), 6-5
SF 2: Sergey EMELIN (UWW) df. Mairbek SALIMOV (POL), 9-0

77kg
SF 1: Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) df. Robert FRITSCH (HUN), 8-0
SF 2: Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) df. Alexandrin GUTU (MDA), 3-1

87kg
SF 1: Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) df. Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR), via fall
SF 2: Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) df. Islam ABBASOV (AZE), 4-0

130kg
SF 1: Darius VITEK (HUN) df. Beka KANDELAKI (AZE), 1-1
SF 2: Riza KAYAALP (TUR) df. Pavel HLINCHUK (UWW), via disqualification (4-0)