#development

UWW Hosts Educator Course in Guatemala

By United World Wrestling Press

PETEN, Guatemala (February 7) --- The first of two UWW Educator Courses was conducted in Peten, Guatemala, from 2-4 February. The course included 14 UWW Educators. The educators were mostly from Central and South America but also included a few educators from Europe.

This course was designed to help provide professional development and improve the skills of the educators.

During the course, they participated in activities to help them better understand adult learning principles, the use of formative assessments, and strategies to give proper feedback. The educators also conducted micro-leadership sessions where they had to teach the other educators some topics that are within the UWW education courses. The training was conducted by Vincent AKA (CIV) and Zach ERRET (USA).

“The course was great! The educators were very professional and were actively participating throughout the course. It was great to see them apply some of the principles that were covered in the course.”  Said Zach ERRET, UWW Education Manager.

GUA
14 UWW Educators from Central and South America and Europe came together for the first of two UWW Educator Courses. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

“Seeing these educators literally integrate the process of professionalism through training is heartwarming. And I have total confidence in their ability to train our future coaches and referees with regard to what they have demonstrated during their training. They can always count on our department to support them in their mission for the coming years.” said Vincent AKA, UWW Development Officer.

This course also included an opportunity to experience and learn the culture and history in Guatemala. At the conclusion of the course, the educators had an opportunity to visit and tour Tikal National Park. This was one of the sites of the ancient Mayan civilization.

This experience allowed the educators to build stronger relationships with each other. 

“Visiting Tikal National Park was amazing! We do not often get a chance to see historical sites and learn about the culture of the country. To have an opportunity to learn about this ancient civilization and see it firsthand was outstanding. Hosting the course and providing this experience is just another great example of the vision that President Lee has to not only raise the level of wrestling in the Americas but to provide an incredible experience for those attending events.” Said Zach ERRETT, UWW Education Manager.

This course and tour were organized by Mr. Francisco LEE LÓPEZ (President of UWW Americas) and his team. They did an amazing job of organizing the entire event and provided a top environment for a lifetime's training and cultural experience.

#WrestleTunis

Nokhodi, Sarlak earn trip to second Worlds

By Vinay Siwach

TUNIS, Tunisia (July 17) -- Iran entered the Zouhaier Sghaier Ranking Series to finalize its World Championships team as it was left with two wrestlers at 57kg and 79kg after the Takhti Cup and the national selection trial.

Two World silver medalists -- Alireza SARLAK (IRI) at 57kg and Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) at 79kg -- were fighting for their spot on the national team.

While Sarlak had lost to Ahmad MOHAMMADNEZHAD (IRI) at the Takhti Cup, Nokodhi was forced for a trial as Ali SAVADKHOUI (IRI) won the Asian Championships. Coincidentally, the two pairs were placed in the same pool of their brackets and faced each other in the first bout itself.

Savadkhoui won a tense opening bout 5-5 against Nokhodi and took a step closer to that world event. But in a shocking turn of events, Nokhodi won his remaining bouts in the Nordic bracket and made it to the final.

His loss to Savadkhoui became irrelevant as the Asian champion failed to qualify for the semifinal and lost his chance to represent the nation at the World Championships.

Iran coaches and management perhaps wanted to conduct the trial in an international event as that would give a better idea about a wrestler's chance against foreign opponents. Had it been a one-off bout during the Takhti Cup or the later trial, Nokhodi would have failed to go to his second senior World Championships.

But as the management predicted, he lost to Savadkouhi but dominated other international wrestlers. In the final, he faced Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) and scored 10 points against six to win the gold medal.

At 57kg, Sarlak and Mohammadnezhad faced in the opening round which Sarlak won 2-0. Mohammadnezhad was expected to bounce back as the two could have met again in the final. But he suffered a loss to UDIT (IND).

Sarlak won all his bouts in the group stage and qualified for the semifinal against world champion Thomas GILMAN (USA). The rematch of the World Championships did not disappoint, with Gilman securing an 11-7 win.

Gilman made the final but not before suffering a  pin against Horst LEHR (GER) in the opening round. But Lehr then got injured and lost his semifinal to Udit 14-4

In the final, Gilman scored three takedowns to lead 7-2 but Udit made a come and came agonizingly close to beating Gilman who won 9-8.

Iran's third entry was Yones EMAMI (IRI) who will wrestle at the World Championships at 74kg. He dominated U17 world champion Sagar JAGLAN (IND) 11-0 in the Round 3 to win the gold.

The USA dominated the proceedings at 61kg and 70kg. Zain RETHERFORD (USA) did not give up a single point en route the 70kg gold, winning five bouts. In the final against Syrbag TALGAT (KAZ), Retherford continuously build the pressure and scored takedown after takedown.

Seth GROSS (USA) at 61kg also had an impressive performance. He will be representing the USA in Belgrade and warmed up with a gold medal after four wins including over Suleyman ATLI (TUR) and Aman SEHRAWAT (IND).

Kazakhstan won the gold medals at 86kg and 92kg. Asian champion Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) was far better than his two other opponents at 86kg while Abdimanap BAIGENZHEYEV (KAZ) won the 92kg gold after winning his three bouts.

The most he was challenged by was Viky CHAHAR (IND) but Baigenzheyev won that bout 4-2.

India's lone gold medal came at 65kg as SUJEET (IND) captured the gold after wins over Tokyo Olympian Agustin DESTRIBATS (ARG), 15-4, John DIAKOMIHALIS (USA), 8-2 and for U23 silver medalist Adlan ASKAROV (KAZ) 14-4.

The gold is Sujeet's third consecutive international gold in a month after he won the U23 Asian Championships in late June and U20 Asian gold a week back.

Results

57kg
GOLD: Thomas GILMAN df. UDIT (IND), 9-8

BRONZE: Alireza SARLAK df. Horst LEHR (GER), via injury default

61kg
Round 3: Seth GROSS (USA) df. Nebi UZUN (TUR), via injury default
Round 3: Aman SEHRAWAT (IND)  df. Suleyman ATLI (TUR), 12-2

Final standings
GOLD: Seth GROSS (USA)
SILVER: Aman SEHRAWAT (IND)
BRONZE: Suleyman ATLI (TUR)

65kg
Round 3: SUJEET (IND) df. Agustin DESTRIBATS (ARG), 15-4 
Round 3: John DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) df. Adlan ASKAROV (KAZ), 15-5

Final standings
GOLD: SUJEET (IND)
SILVER: John DIAKOMIHALIS (USA)
BRONZE: Adlan ASKAROV (KAZ)

70kg
GOLD: Zain RETHERFORD (USA) df. Syrbaz TALGAT (KAZ), 10-0

BRONZE: Karan MOR (IND) df. Kossai AJIMI (TUN), 10-0

74kg
Round 3: Yones EMAMI (IRI) df. Sagar JAGLAN (IND), 11-0

Final standings
GOLD: Yones EMAMI (IRI)
SILVER: Sagar JAGLAN (IND)
BRONZE: Cesar ALVAN (BRA)

79kg
GOLD: Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) df. Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ), 10-6

BRONZE: Chandler MARSTELLER (USA) df. Gourav BALIYAN (IND), 10-0 

86kg
Round 3: Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) df. Sabri MNASRIA (TUN), 11-0

Final standings
GOLD: Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ)
SILVER: Osman GOCEN (TUR)
BRONZE: Sabri MNASRIA (TUN)

92kg
Round 3: Viky CHAHAR (IND) df. Imed KADDIDI (TUN), 
Round 3: Abdimanap BAIGENZHEYEV (KAZ) df. Chiheb CHIHI (TUN), 10-0

Final standings
GOLD: Abdimanap BAIGENZHEYEV (KAZ)
SILVER: Viky CHAHAR (IND)
BRONZE: Imed KADDIDI (TUN)