COVID-19

Wrestling's Medical Professionals on Front Lines of Pandemic

Wednesday, April 22, 2020 - 13:41 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (April 22) -- The wrestling community has always been larger than just its wrestlers on the mat. Today, as the sports fans, coaches, and administrators each "Stay Strong, and Stay at Home!" our sport's medical professionals are on the front lines battling the COVID-19 pandemic.

From all over the world wrestling's brave medical professionals are doing anything and everything they can to protect the lives of those in need during these unprecedented times.

"We are always grateful for our medical personnel, but I want us all to take an extra moment and celebrate their contribution and sacrifice," said United World Wrestling president Nenad Lalovic. "We are very proud of their efforts."

Dr. Babak Shadgan reviews his research project aimed at improving early diagnosis of COVID-19.

Dr. Babak Shadgan, the head of UWW Medical Commission and an Assistant Professor of orthopaedics at the University of British Columbia in Canada is leading a multi-center research project on development of a novel biosensor for screening and monitoring COVID-19 patients. Successful achievement by Dr. Shadgan and his research team will improve early diagnosis and treatment of patients affected by COVID-19.

Dr. Loukas Konstantinou, a trauma and sports orthopaedic surgeon in Greece and a member of the UWW Medical Commission is helping patients, including those infected by coronavirus.

“Our everyday work brings a high degree of vulnerability, concerning the contact with patients and citizens who are infected with the virus," said Konstantinou. "We take all the necessary steps to protect ourselves and our patients,” he said.

Dr. Szabolcs Molnar in surgery this month in Budapest.

Medical commission member Dr. Szabolcs Molnar exemplifies the dedication of medical professionals around the world. As an Assistant Professor of the orthopedics trauma for the largest hospital in Budapest, Molnar is working in the triage units and in the operating room. "I'm honored to do what I can to help my countrymen," he said.

The dangers of the virus are very real for front line workers. Medical commission member Dr. Sadegh Mahboubi had been treating patients in Iran throughout February and March before contracting COVID-19 himself. Most of the medical offices were closed so he stayed open and worked 18-hour days, but eventually had to rest after the disease affected his breathing.

"I didn't want a hospital bed occupied by me, so I was quarantined by my wife who is a doctor," he said. "If a wrestling match, I guess I lost to COVID, but I am back at work now to help."

Mahboubi says he lost 15 kilograms during his ordeal.

A recovered Dr. Sadegh Mahboubi in his office.

In the United States, a task force of former wrestlers, physicians and political leaders has been formed in an effort to create solutions for the sport's return to competition. The group is coming up with solutions for how to move into the next phase of life with the coronavirus still very much a concern. The working task force includes longtime wrestling physician Dr. Bernard Feldman and former Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price.

Other members of UWW Medical Commission including Dr. Stevan Sikimic, a respirologist in Serbia; Dr. Stefan Strugarov, a surgeon in Bulgaria; Dr Klaus Johann, an orthopaedic surgeon in Germany; Dr. Abdelghani Chahi, a cardiologist in Morocco; Dr. Jose Padilha, a surgeon in Brazil; Dr. Kohei Nakajima, an orthopaedic surgeon in Japan; Dr. Mika Lehto, a cardiologist in Finland; Dr. Carol Maitre in France; Dr. Irina Dulepova in Russia; and Dr. Elena Abaeva in Uzbekistan are all helping patients at the high-risk front line.

"I've said before that our sport knows struggle and we know how to fight," said Lalovic. "I'm very proud of our medical professionals and look forward to seeing them again on the field of play."

2026 Muhamet Malo

Lolua Bumps to 60kg, Komarov Among World Champs Returning in Tirana

Monday, February 23, 2026 - 19:19 By Vinay Siwach

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TIRANA, Albania (February 23) -- Last year, Vakhtang LOLUA (GEO) was in Tirana, making his senior international debut. He went on to win the 55kg silver medal at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series event.

What followed was an incredible 2025 season for Lolua in which he became a world champion in Zagreb. He also won bronze medals at the European Championships, and U20 World and European Championships.

FREESTYLE PREVIEW | MUHAMET MALO ENTRIES | WATCH LIVE

The world champion at 55kg is returning to Tirana, making his Olympic weight debut at 60kg later this week at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series, which begins February 25.

While he got two wins last year to reach the final, where he lost to Emre MUTLU (TUR), Lolua will need to spend more time on the mat if he wants to wrestle for the gold medal.

The field at 60kg is no pushover, with several experienced contenders entered.

The 18-year-old will face the likes of European champion Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE), silver medalist Georgij TIBILOV (SRB), former U20 world champion Nihad GULUZADE (AZE), former U17 world champion SURAJ (IND) and compatriot Dimitri KHACHIDZE (GEO).

The Georgian has the par terre offense to win, as he showed in Zagreb. He tricked Payam AHMADI (IRI) in the final with two different par terre turns. However, he also keeps his matches tight. At the World Championships, he won only one of his four bouts by a margin of two points or more.

Mammadli presents his first major tactical test. He was in red-hot form in 2025 but fell off in the later half of the year. He lost his World Championships quarterfinal to Alisher GANIEV (UZB), who also defeated him at the Islamic Solidarity Games in 2025.

Guluzade and Tibilov pose a different challenge. The latter is an experienced campaigner, who often shuns big-move wrestling for tactical wins. Guluzade will bring raw energy, trying to prove his mettle before the European Championships.

Suraj, who defeated Victor CIOBANU (MDA), constantly works on his opponents for six minutes, which can put anyone's conditioning to the test.

Like at 60kg, Georgia and Azerbaijan have multiple wrestlers in other weight classes as well. Many other nations are also increasingly focusing on selecting their teams via results at Ranking Series events.

At 67kg, Georgia has Zagreb Open champion Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) and European bronze medalist Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) going against each other. Khetsuriani has not wrestled since finishing 22nd at the World Championships in September.

The challenges will not be limited. U20 world champion Erzu ZAKRIEV (UWW) will make his senior debut in Tirana. He has impressed with his dominant performances in 2024 when he won the U20 gold. In 2025, he finished with a silver, losing a close final.

A minefield at 87kg will see the return of world champion Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB). He will face top wrestlers from Hungary, Azerbaijan, UWW wrestlers and Kazakhstan.

Komarov rose to the occasion at the World Championships in Zagreb with an incredible run, winning gold over Olympic silver medalist Alireza MOHMADI (IRI). He will look to reset in Tirana.

World bronze medalist Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) has constantly improved and a good performance in Tirana at 87kg will do him a world of good. Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW), Islam ALIEV (UWW) and Alan OSTAEV (UWW) are a trio of UWW wrestlers in the field. Alirzaev and Ostaev have wins over Komarov in the past.

Islam ABBASOV (AZE) and Lachin VALIYEV (AZE) are leading the challenge for Azerbaijan while Istvan TAKACS (HUN), who won gold at the Zagreb Open, will be another top wrestler.

Shamil OZHAEV (KAZ) and Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) are two Kazakhstan wrestlers looking to make a mark as well.

A similar story will play out at 97kg with world silver medalist Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) eyeing his second Ranking Series gold medal. Standing in his way are Zagreb Open champion Alex SZOKE (HUN), world bronze medalist Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW), Paris bronze medalist Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ), former world bronze medalist Artur OMAROV (CZE).

Azerbaijan is sending three wrestlers at 97kg in hopes of finalizing its European lineup with world bronze medalists Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE) and Arif NIFTULLAYEV (AZE), and Mahammad AHMADIYEV (AZE).

At 77kg, Hungary is once again pitting Robert FRITSCH (HUN) against Zoltan LEVAI (HUN). In Zagreb, Levai won silver while Fritsch won bronze as both lost to Ali OKSOU (IRI).

Iran, which has its own struggles at this weight class, has also gone with two wrestlers, Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI) and Amir ABDI (IRI).

U23 world champion Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) is returning to action, hoping to win his first Ranking Series gold medal. Gutu has given legendary performances at the age-group level but is yet to win a medal at the senior World or European Championships.

Imran ALIEV (UWW), Evgenii BAIDUSOV (UWW) and Sergei STEPANOV (UWW) will also be involved at 77kg as they try to confirm their spot for the European Championships.

Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ)Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) defeated Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ), 3-1, at the 2024 Paris Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Olympic rematch at 82kg

Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) rocked his neighbouring country Kyrgyzstan at the Paris Olympic when he defeated the favorite and world champion Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ). Kyrgyzstan was hoping that Makhmudov would create history by becoming the country's first-ever Olympic champion.

Both have gradually returned to action. In Tirana, both are entered at 82kg and it won't be a surprise if they clash as well. However, Makhmudov would like to avenge that Paris loss.

Also at 82kg are Gela BOLKVADZE (GEO) and comeback man and former world medalist Viktor NEMES (SRB).

Iran is bringing a small squad in Tirana but it made sure to bring Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI), perhaps the best heavyweight Greco wrestler in the world. The 130kg gold will, most likely, be his.