Weekly FIVE! December 3, 2018

Monday, December 3, 2018 - 13:30 By Eric Olanowski

Discussing the inaugural AWL, MBR Creative Sports Award, and Wrestling 4 All Open Day. Also looking at the joint referees and coaches courses in Guatemala and Georgia.

1. United World Wrestling Wins MBR Creative Sports Award, $250k for Development Work

United World Wrestling has won the "MBR Creative Sports Award" for the best initiative for an International Summer Olympic International Federation. The award, one of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, was in recognition of United World Wrestling’s development program “More than Medals” a Cadet-level wrestling initiative active on five continents in 2018.

The 2018 More than Medals program ran from February to July and impacted more than 200 young wrestlers and coaches to qualify for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The award, worth $250,000, was announced as part of the MBR Creative Sports Award 10th annual award and is the “primary sports award dedicated to inspiring creativity in sports in the UAE, Arab countries, and worldwide.”

“We are very grateful for this recognition and see it as a sign that our hard work in reaching young athletes is having a positive effect,” said United World Wrestling president and IOC executive board member, Nenad Lalovic. “The MBR Creative Sports Award will go far in helping expand the reach of our development department.”

Click here to read more about the MBR Creative Sports Award

2. United World Wrestling and Partners Host “Wrestling 4 All Open Day” in South Africa

United World Wrestling, in partnership with Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and coordination by the South African Wrestling Federation, is hosted a “Wrestling 4 All Open Day” on December 1st in Randburg South Africa.

The event was coordinated in recognition of the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“We are happy to be partnered with the [OHCHR] for this event,” said United World Wrestling president Nenad Lalovic. “Our goal is to grow the sport of wrestling and show it’s unique power to bring people together through sport. We believe that wrestling can be physical fitness and fun for all ages, but also allow for better dialogue among those who have disagreements.”

The “Wrestling 4 All Open Day” is an opportunity for kids, youth and adults in the area to participate in a variety of wrestling-related events. In addition to an Olympic style wrestling tournament, there will be beach wrestling and fitness activities. Their day will also feature United World Wrestling’s “Wrestle4Fun” program run by human rights champion Mpho MADI (RSA). Children up to 13 years of age are eligible to participate in the games session.

Coaches and athletes interested in high-level fitness certifications also participated in the day’s events. United World Wrestling global supplier Suples Wrestling, led by founder Ivan Ivanov, hosted a two-day certification camp allowing attendees to learn more about how to utilize equipment for wrestling-based training.

Click here to read more about “Wrestling 4 All Open Day."

3. Joint Referees and Coaches Educator Courses for Wrestling Hosted in Guatemala, Georgia

Oil and water. Cats and dogs. Referees and coaches. Some things in this world simply don’t mix.

In wrestling that conflict between referees and coaches may soon be improving. In an effort to harmonize the rule keepers and the men and women tasked with leading teams to victory, United World Wrestling has delivered a pair of educator courses in Guatemala and Georgia attended by both referees and coaches.

“The aim of the course is wonderful because the referees and the coaches learn new teaching techniques and debate on various areas to improve the sport of wrestling,” said United World Wrestling development director Deqa Niamkey. “It’s all about perspective and now they have shared experience and dialogue which will serve the sport.”

The courses were the result of the Referee Development Programme launched after the UWW Bureau Meeting in Paris 2017, with numerous educational courses organized to enhance and synchronize the courses provided by UWW. The first course was delivered in Manchester, Great Britain for English speakers in November 2017 and was available to referees and coaches from all five continents.

The 2018 Americas course was delivered at the Centro Alto Rendimentio (CARDA) in Guatemala City November 15-20 under the supervision of referee instructor Abraham GALVA (PUR) and development officer Vincent Aka, while the Georgian Wrestling Federation hosted the Russian speakers course under the supervision of referee instructor Ibrahim CICOGLU (TUR), Vaclav SCHEINER (CZE), and Vincent AKA (CIV) with the assistance of Petru TOARCA (ROM).

“The course was amazing. It is an eye-opener of new views, approach, philosophy of learning and transferring knowledge to younger generations,” said Davor PETANJEK (CRO) 1s Referee and instructor. “We need more collaboration and communication between the two groups. It is time that we assist our national federations in their development process and provide educational courses in the future with trained UWW Educators”

Click here to read more about the joint referees and coaches educator courses

4. Starosta Named Rayko Petrov Award Winner

The International Network of Wrestling Researchers (INWR), in conjunction with the Scientific Commission of United World Wrestling (UWW), presented Wlodzimierz STAROSTA (POL) the Rayko Petrov Award at the at the UWW Scientific Commission "Challenge and Perspectives in Wrestling" symposium held Nov. 21-22 in Kiev, Ukraine.

Starosta is the founding President of the International Association of Sport Kinetics (IASK) and a well-known researcher. He has published numerous books and papers focusing strongly on the advancement of human development and sports kinetics.

During his professional academic career, Starosta spent time at the University School of Physical Education and Tourism in Bialystok, University School of Physical Education in Poznan (Gorzow) and Research Institute of Sport in Warsaw.

The Rayko Petrov Award is named in honor of Rayko PETROV, a coach, scientist, pedagogue and outstandingly erudite person who dedicated all his life to the "romantic idea, love, and magic…" of wrestling. His published hundreds of titles in scientific publications, textbooks, manuals, programs, sports regulations and over 80 books. He was inducted into the UWW Hall of Fame in 2010.

5. Team Taylor beats Team Dake, 7-3 in Inaugural AWL The Begining

The U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, hosted the inaugural “American Wrestling League I The Beginning” last Saturday and Team David Taylor knocked off Team Kyle Dake, 7-3.

The dual began at 70kg where two-time world medalist James GREEN kicked the evening off with a win for Team Dake. That would be the last time Team Dake had the lead, as Team Taylor went on a five-match win streak heading into the 125kg bout. At 125kg, Team Dake’s Dom BRADLEY was expected to take on 2018 Greco-Roman world finalist Adam COON (USA). Coon unexpectedly withdrew from the competition and Zach REY stepped in for Team Taylor. Bradley eventually went on to beat Ray, giving Team Dake their second win of the dual, narrowing Team Taylor's lead to 5-2.

A pair of wins for Nico MEGALUDIS and Cory CLARK locked up the win for Team Taylor, but the most anticipated match of the night was yet to come. At 65kg, the premier bout of night lived up to hype as Jordan OLIVER (USA) held on to defeat Zain RETHERFORD (USA) in a 24 point shoot-out.

Retherford, USA's 2017 world team member, had an early lead in the opening period, but Oliver struck back and took the 4-3 lead before Oliver opened the bout up with a massive five-point move, extending his lead to 9-3 heading into the final period.

Oliver grabbed a takedown early in the second period and fell into prevent mode after leading 11-4. Retherford stormed back, scoring seven unanswered points and closed Oliver's lead to two points, but Oliver eventually held on to win 13-11.

Each of the starters from Team Dake and Team Taylor picked up $2,500 to show, and $5,000.

AWL I Results (Team Taylor df. Team Dake, 7-3)
57kg - Nico MEGALUDIS (Team Taylor) df. Frank PERRELLI (Team Dake), 7-2
61kg - Cory CLARK (Team Taylor) df. Tony RAMOS (Team Dake), 8-0
65kg - Jordan OLIVER(Team Dake) df. Zain RETHERFORD (Team Taylor), 13-11
70kg - James GREEN (Team Dake) df. Brandon SORENSEN (Team Taylor), 10-0
74kg - Tommy GANTT (Team Taylor) df. Richie LEWIS (Team Dake), 7-2
79kg - Alex DIERINGER (Team Taylor) df. Isaiah MARTINEZ (Team Dake), 4-2
86kg - Sam BROOKS (Team Taylor) df. Nick HEFLIN (Team Dake), 11-4
92kg - Mike MACCHIAVELLO (Team Taylor) df. Deron WINN (Team Dake), 8-0
97kg - Kyven GADSON (Team Taylor) df. Jacob KASPER (Team Dake), 5-2
125kg - Dom BRADLEY (Team Dake) vs. Zach Rey (Team Taylor), 3-2

Weekly FIVE! In Social Media

1. Big Move Monday!
2. "Wrestling 4 All Open Day"
3. Black and white photos from World Championships
4. Photo of Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) from the 2008 Junior World Championships
5. World champion @Stepa_59_ shows off his belt and medal collection!

#WrestleBaku

Gadzhiev returns to top with gold at U23 Europeans

Sunday, May 26, 2024 - 18:58 By United World Wrestling Press

BAKU, Azerbaijan (May 26) -- Only a minute and 16 seconds were remaining on the clock when Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) and Kamil ABDULVAGABOV (AIN) retreated to their respective corners. Their bleeding faces required medical intervention.

As the doctors patched them up, both wrestlers could not wait to return to the mat to resume their thrilling 74kg U23 European Championship gold medal bout. Understandably so. Both the wrestlers felt the momentum was their way, and each one knew he had a good chance to win the gold.

The final day of the competition was providing the right kind of fireworks.

At that stage, when the medical timeout was taken, Gadzhiev was 6-3 ahead but Abdulvagabov was on the ascendency, fighting his way back into the bout which seemed a lost cause not too long ago. That break would eventually prove to be crucial.

The physical differences between the two were glaring. Lean and gifted with long limbs, Abdulvagabov was at least a head higher than Gadzhiev and he tried to use the height factor to his advantage. He planted his left leg so far back that it became out of reach for Gadzhiev and each time the Azerbaijani tried too hard, a counter-attacking opportunity would arise.

Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) scores a crucial four-pointer in the 74kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Javid Gurbanov)

Gadzhiev raided Abdulvagabov’s defense with multiple single-leg attacks, targeting his right leg, which was relatively closer. But each time Gadzhiev caught his opponent’s right ankle, Abdulvagabov used his physical might to ensure it couldn’t be converted into a takedown.

This trend repeated several times, with Gadzhiev going all-out employing single-leg takedowns and ankle trips. But Abdulvagabov looked hardly troubled. Until the Azerbaijani wrestler surprised him with a feet-to-back throw, slamming Abdulvagabov on his mat from a standing position in a dramatic move to be awarded four points.

When the bout was halted for the first medical timeout, Abdulvagabov was trailing 6-3. He reduced the deficit to one point by two stepouts, and with 16 seconds left, the match was paused for another medical timeout to treat both wrestlers who again started bleeding.

Abdulvagabov threw the proverbial kitchen sink at Gadzhiev but the match-winning two-point throw that he sought never came. Gadzhiev used the sprawls to good effect, doing just enough to win the bout 6-5.

The 22-year-old ran to his corner to celebrate the gold medal which came after a long drought. The 2022 U23 European Champion and U20 World and European Champion endured a difficult last year in which he earned a couple of podium finishes but a title eluded him.

He started this year strongly with a bronze medal at the Ranking Series in Zagreb and the gold medal here will come as a huge confidence booster. It was also Azerbaijan’s only gold medal in men’s freestyle at this competition.

Arslan BAGAEV (AIN) blanked defending champion Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA) 10-0 in the 86kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Javid Gurbanov)

Bagaev stuns Magamadov

In the 86kg category, Arslan BAGAEV (AIN) built on his fifth-place finish at the senior European Championships with a remarkable gold medal.

Bagaev conceded just one point, scored 25, and spent a little less than 12 minutes on the mat for his first-ever title since winning the U20 European Championship gold in 2021.

The manner in which Bagaev won was stunning. He was up against defending champion Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA), whose trophy cabinet in age-group events is brimming with medals. But the moment the referee began the bout, Bagaev stopped caring about reputations.

Magamadov looked stronger in the opening exchanges and launched the first leg attack, which Bagaev escaped. Bagaev waited for Magamadov to come searching for his leg again. When he did, a little after one minute, the 20-year-old used his quick reflexes to evade Magamadov’s advances and then launched a blistering counterattack, affecting three roll-overs to earn three points.

In between the second and third roll-over, Magamadov held his face and signaled that he was hurt. The doctors, who were kept busy all evening, rushed to treat him but the break in momentum didn’t impact Bagaev, who finished the bout with a two-point takedown.

Alen KHUBULOV (BUL), right, won the 125kg title after beating Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Javid Gurbanov)

Maiden titles for Khubulov, Bliatze

Bagaev wasn’t the only wrestler who won his first-ever U23 European Championship title.

At 125kg, Alen KHUBULOV (BUL) made a stunning comeback to beat Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO) 6-5 in another dramatic bout to win the gold medal.

Khubulov had overturned a two-point deficit with a couple of well-timed leg attacks. But with around 40 seconds remaining, Manashvili again took the lead with a two-point takedown. Khubulov responded almost immediately, scoring two more points via exposure to restore his lead and then clung to it desperately to clinch the gold medal.

Minutes earlier, Gkivi BLIATZE (GRE) defeated Adlan VISKHANOV (FRA) 8-7 in a thrilling bout to reign supreme in the 92kg category. This was a momentous win for Bliatze, who has been competing on the circuit since 2018 but never came close to a podium finish. He ended the long wait in style by getting the better of the 2023 U23 European Championship bronze medallist in an action-filled bout.

In 61kg, Bashir MAGOMEDOV (AIN) defended his gold medal with a clinical performance against Mykyta ABRAMOV (UKR), winning 10-0.

RESULTS

61kg
GOLD: Bashir MAGOMEDOV (AIN) df. Mykyta ABRAMOV (UKR), 10-0

BRONZE: Nuraddin NOVRUZOV (AZE) df. Yahor RUDAUSKI (AIN), 13-12
BRONZE: Emre KURAL (TUR) df. Simone PIRODDU (ITA), 4-3

74kg
GOLD: Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) df. Kamil ABDULVAGABOV (AIN), 6-5

BRONZE: Luka CHKHITUNIDZE (GEO) df. Theocharis KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE), 7-2
BRONZE: Ibrahim YAPRAK (TUR) df. Krisztian BIRO (ROU), 6-4

86kg
GOLD: Arslan BAGAEV (AIN) df. Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA), 10-0

BRONZE: Emre CIFTCI (TUR) df. Ilya KHAMTSOU (AIN), 6-4
BRONZE: Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) df. Miko ELKALA (FIN), 11-0

92kg
GOLD: Gkivi BLIATZE (GRE) vs. Adlan VISKHANOV (FRA)

BRONZE: Mustafagadzhi MALACHDIBIROV (AIN) df. Muhammed GIMRI (TUR), 6-2
BRONZE: Ion DEMIAN (MDA) df. Denys SAHALIUK (UKR), 16-6

125kg
GOLD: Alen KHUBULOV (BUL) df. Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO), 6-5

BRONZE: Milan KORCSOG (HUN) df. Volodymyr KOCHANOV (UKR), 8-1
BRONZE: Abdulla KURBANOV (AIN) df. Adil MISIRCI (TUR), 12-8

Weekly FIVE! December 3, 2018

1. United World Wrestling Wins MBR Creative Sports Award, $250k for Development Work

2. United World Wrestling and Partners Host “Wrestling 4 All Open Day” in South Africa

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Gadzhiev returns to top with gold at U23 Europeans