Award Season

2017 Men's Freestyle Matches of the Year

Friday, December 29, 2017 - 15:13 By Eric Olanowski

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The top three freestyle matches of 2017 include four Olympic champions who have acquired a combined eight world championships.

97kg World Championship GOLD:  Kyle Frederick SNYDER (USA) v. Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS)
The 97kg world final was arguably the most anticipated match-up of all time. The stage was set for two-time world champion and Olympic champion Kyle SNYDER (USA) to take on two-time world champion and Olympic champion Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS). In addition to the individual title, the winner of the 97kg final determined the team race, as the USA and Russia were tied with 53 points. apiece.

Snyder’s takedown with 25 seconds left sealed the 97kg title, also clinching the United States’ first team title since 1995.

125kg World Championship GOLD:  Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) v. Taha AKGUL (TUR)
In the 125kg world finals, Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) fell behind 4-0 to two-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist Taha AKGUL (TUR). Petriashvili went on to score eight unanswered points and took an 8-4 lead. Akgul regained the lead on criteria by putting together a stretch of four points. Petriashvili’s takedown with 25 seconds left gave him the 10-8 victory and his first world title.

61kg European Championship GOLD: Vladimer KHINCHEGASHVILI (GEO) v. Akhmed CHAKAEV (RUS)
After two scoreless minutes, it was Akhmed CHAKAEV (RUS) who struck first, picking up a monstrous five-point throw. 2016 Olympic champion Vladimer KHINCHEGASHVILI’s (GEO) takedown and gut gave him the first lead of the match. Each wrestler would tack on an additional takedown, ending the match 10-9 in favor of Khinchegashvili.                                                         

#development

UWW Signs MoU with Hungary University of Sports Science and KIMBA to Expand Educational Programme

Tuesday, June 16, 2026 - 09:54 By United World Wrestling Press

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BUDAPEST, Hungary (June 15) -- United World Wrestling (UWW), the Hungary Wrestling Federation (MBSZ), and the Hungarian University of Physical Education and Sport Sciences (HUSS/TF) have signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening wrestling education, research, and international cooperation.

The agreement was officially signed in Budapest by UWW President Nenad LALOVIC, MBSZ President Szilard NEMETH, and HUSS Rector Tamas STERBENZ. The partnership is designed to further develop wrestling-specific educational programmes while enhancing opportunities for coaches, athletes, researchers, and sports professionals worldwide.
 KIMBAFrom left to right: HUSS Vice Rector Dr. Csaba OKROS, UWW President Nenad LALOVIC, President of MBSZ Nemeth SZILARD, HUSS Rector Dr. Tamas STERBENZ, UWW Bureau Member Peter BACSA and KIMBA Head of Trustee  Laszlo SULE.

Under the new collaboration, the institutions will work together to provide expanded educational pathways tailored to the wrestling community. The initiative will include specialized courses and programmes focused on professional development, athlete performance support, sports science, health management, and injury prevention.

The MoU also promotes international academic and professional exchanges involving students, researchers, and experts, with the broader objective of strengthening global wrestling development and cooperation.

Supported by Olympic Solidarity, four wrestling coaches recently graduated from the programme and participated in the academy’s first mentorship programme, highlighting the growing international impact of the initiative.

Several prominent figures from the wrestling and academic communities attended the signing ceremony in Budapest, including UWW Bureau Member Peter BACSA, HUSS Vice Rector Csaba OKROS, KIMBA Head of Trustee Laszlo SULE, and Assistant Professor of the Department of Martial Arts Gergely BABSZKY.

The partnership marks another important step in UWW’s efforts to professionalize wrestling education and create sustainable development opportunities for the global wrestling community.