Grappling

2019 European Grappling Championship

Saturday, April 6, 2019 - 16:45 By

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Bucharest, Romania (April 6th) –After an action-filled first day of No-Gi Grappling yesterday, the athletes put on the Gi and tied their belts for action in Grappling. Day 2 was just as good, athletes showcased their adaptability and utilized the Gi to the fullest to tangle up their opponents with sweeps from the guard and chokes from all positions and every angle.

Men’s Grappling

World silver medalist in 2018 and veteran of the 62KG division, Dmytro BARANOV (UKR) came better prepared than ever to this year's European edition. BARANOV (UKR) won 3 matches on his way to the final including a redemption match against France’s Anthony DE OLIVEIRA who defeated him in the final of No-GI yesterday. In the finals against Akhmed Zulpukarovitch MAGOMEDOV (RUS), his veteran's experience proved the difference, winning the match 5-5 ( criteria).

Khachbar KHACHILAEV (RUS) aggression and takedown oriented game were too much for his opponents over the course of both days. At +100KG this explosive athlete was all over his opponents winning gold in both styles. In the final of Grappling, Abdel Hakim DJABALI (FRA) was a game opponent but fell short 5-2.

Women’s Grappling

One gold medal was not enough for Svitlana SKRYPNYK (UKR). After winning big yesterday she followed up with an equally impressive performance in the Gi. Taking on 4 opponents on her way to the finals, SKRYPNYK (UKR) defeated all including the bronze medal winner in No-Gi Anzhelika PEKH (RUS). In the finals match  Polina KRUPSKAIA (RUS) proved to be her toughest test of the day. After an early back take to score 4 points, SKRYPNKY (UKR) was forced to make use of her skilled guard retention to hold off the surging Russian. The 4 points was just enough for the win and with it the title 53KG.

Grappling Team Results:
1.) Russia
2.) Ukraine
3.) Poland

Next up for Grappling and Grappling No-GI will be the Pan-American Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina on  April 15th and 16th. Make sure to catch it all on United World Wrestling.

 

#development

UWW conducts REDT program in Benin

Tuesday, December 23, 2025 - 12:06 By United World Wrestling Press

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OUIDAH, Benin (December 20) -- United World Wrestling (UWW), in collaboration with the Benin Wrestling Federation, the Benin National Olympic Committee and the national sports authorities, successfully organized the Regional Education and Development Wrestling Tournament (REDT), which took place in Ouidah from November 23 to 30, 2025.

This event represents the first tournament ever organized in West Africa, marking a major milestone in UWW’s wrestling development strategy on the African continent.

Ten countries from the West African region took part in the tournament, contributing to a framework of technical and educational exchanges aimed at enhancing the competencies of wrestling stakeholders.

Deqa NIAMKEY, Director of Development at United World Wrestling, paid an official visit to Benin. She praised the progress achieved by the Benin Wrestling Federation and recalled the core objective of the REDT program.

"The REDT was initiated by United World Wrestling to support countries in the sustainable development of wrestling.”

Niamkey also conducted a sports administration education session with representatives of national federations, while Youssef BOUAZIZ delivered an online training session on ARENA.

Benin

Ahead of the competitions, a regional coaches’ education program was conducted from November 24 to 27, 2025, bringing together coaches, referees, athletes and technical staff from Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Senegal.

This program was delivered by Vincent AKA, UWW Expert and Development Officer, and concluded with theoretical and practical evaluations leading to the award of UWW International Coaching Certifications Levels 1 and 2.

Celestin PAVELESCU, UWW Expert, led the refereeing education program in Olympic Wrestling and Beach Wrestling, contributing to the improvement of technical standards and the harmonization of officiating practices across the region.

The competitions were held on November 29, 2025 at the IRSP Gymnasium, while the Beach Wrestling events took place on November 30, 2025 at the Door of No Return Beach, an emblematic site of Ouidah’s historical and cultural heritage.

The host nation particularly distinguished itself during this edition, winning a total of 35 medals (11 gold, 15 silver and 9 bronze).

The development strategy focused on youth and the introduction of wrestling in the school environment, with a strong representation of U17 wrestlers, illustrates the long-term vision pursued by the Benin Wrestling Federation.

At the conclusion of the competition, the President of the Benin Wrestling Federation, Adihunkpéto YVES AZIFAN, congratulated all wrestlers and coaches, while reaffirming the federation’s commitment to position Benin sustainably among the leading nations of African and international wrestling.