Development

Argentina become first country in the Americas to host a Level 3 Coaches Course

Monday, December 2, 2024 - 12:41 By United World Wrestling Press

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BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (December 2) —Argentina has become the first country in the Americas to host a Level 3 Coaches Course, organized by United World Wrestling (UWW) and Olympic Solidarity (OS), with the organizational support of the Federación Argentina de Luchas Asociadas (FALA) and the Argentine Olympic Committee (COA). This historic course, held from November 25-29, also stands out as the first-ever Level 3 course conducted in Spanish globally, marking a significant milestone in the development of wrestling coaches in the region.

The course brought together 40 Argentine coaches--including seven women--to enhance their technical and pedagogical skills while embracing a high-performance vision. In addition, Ignacio D'Alessandro (ARG), an international 1S referee and UWW educator, conducted a refereeing clinic, which the participants highly appreciated.

CUBWorld champion and Olympic silver medalist Arsen JULFALAKYAN (ARG) walks through par terre strategy at the Level 3 Coaches Course in Argentina. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

One of the course's highlights was a technical and practical masterclass delivered by Arsen JULFALAKYAN (ARG), UWW Bureau member and Olympic medalist. Julfalakyan shared advanced strategies and innovative exercises that inspired participants to raise their training standards and adopt new perspectives in their daily coaching routines.

The program covered essential topics such as the profile of an excellent coach, tactical strategies, periodization theory and training methodology, and pedagogy for both grassroots and high-performance levels. This comprehensive approach not only strengthened the attendees' theoretical and practical knowledge but also fostered a sense of community and collaboration.

Raúl Trujillo and Filiberto Delgado, renowned Cuban coaches with a distinguished track record of training Pan-American, World, and Olympic champions, led the main sessions.

CUBLegendary coach Raúl TRUJILLO (CUB) walks through technique during a training session at the Level 3 Coaches Course in Argentina. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

"Argentina has tremendous potential. During this course, we focused on technical aspects and strategies to evolve and enhance the sport’s development in the country," said Trujillo, the celebrated coach of Mijaín López, a five-time Olympic champion. "The Americas are growing significantly; while Cuba, the United States, and Canada used to dominate, other nations are now achieving remarkable results at World Championships and the Olympic Games."

David Ochoa, Argentina's National Coach and newly accredited UWW Educator, supported the Cuban experts. Ochoa earned this distinction at the most recent Educators’ Course held in Guatemala just weeks prior, and his involvement exemplified Argentina’s commitment to nurturing local talent in wrestling education.

The course opened with an inauguration ceremony at the Argentine Olympic Committee, attended by key figures such as Fernando Rittner, president of FALA; Sebastián Pérez, Secretary General of FALA; Yuri Maier, UWW Sports and Development Officer; Arsen Julfalakyan, UWW Bureau member; and Cristian Roldán, head of administration and responsible for Olympic Solidarity. The practical and theoretical sessions took place at the National Center for High Performance Sports (CENARD), providing a professional and motivating environment for the coaches.

This course marks a significant step in the growth of wrestling across the continent, underscoring the importance of educational programs to elevate coaches’ technical and pedagogical levels. The certificates awarded, endorsed by UWW and Olympic Solidarity, symbolize not only recognition for the participants' efforts but also a commitment to developing the sport in Argentina and Latin America.

The success of this event opens the door to replicating this model in other countries across the continent, contributing to the global advancement of wrestling.

#WrestleBaku, #WrestleParis

Livach stuns Stadnik; Adar, Kurachkina confirm Paris 2024 spots at European qualifier

Saturday, April 6, 2024 - 21:32 By Vinay Siwach

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BAKU, Azerbaijan (April 6) -- Five seconds separated Mariya STADNIK (AZE) and history.

Leading 2-0 against Oksana LIVACH (UKR), Stadnik could have become the first woman wrestler to qualify for five Olympic Games. However, Livach pinned her with five seconds remaining to stun the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Livach did create history, becoming the first wrestler to beat Stadnik in a European event in a career that goes back 20 years. More importantly, Livach earned a Paris Olympic quota for Ukraine at 50kg.

This was the first time that Livach won against Stadnik with her latest loss at the European Championships semifinal in Bucharest in February.

"I just want to wrestle," Livach said. "I don't care about the opponent. This is the first time I have beaten her and it's amazing. She is a legend. It's a long journey to beat her. I worked hard to win here."

Livach trailed 2-0 with 11 seconds remaining in the bout when the referee called for a restart and Livach immediately hit a double-leg attack, putting Stadnik's back on the mat and held her, securing the fall.

"[In the last moments], I tried to keep her [Stadnik's] lead to a low number," she said. "At the last minute, I worked more and needed to attack. It was a tactic."

Ukraine now has two quotas for Paris Olympics as Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) won one in 62kg at the World Championships. The last chance World Qualifier in Istanbul from May 9 to 12 will present another opportunity for the wrestlers to win a quota.

"The Olympic qualification for Ukraine is very important," she said. "It is for my country, for people who support me. It's an unimaginable feeling."

Nadezhda SOKOLOVA (AIN) won the other Paris 2024 spot at 50kg as she defeated Anastasia BLAYVAS (GER), via fall after building a 12-2 lead. She led 2-0 at the break but shifted gears in the second period. She countered Blayvas' attempt to hit a toss and scored four points. She used a cradle to hit another four and secure the fall.

Iryna KURACHKINA (AIN)Iryna KURACHKINA (AIN) defeated Alina HRUSHYNA (UKR) to win at 57kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Silver medalist in Tokyo at the 57kg weight class, Iryna KURACHKINA (AIN) pulled off a last-minute takedown to beat Alina HRUSHYNA (UKR) and earn a quota.

Kurachkina led Hrushyna 2-2 as she had a takedown against Hrushyna's sequence of one and one points. Hrushyna scored a pushout with 33 seconds left on the clock, forcing Kurachkina to attack more.

With just 10 seconds left, Kurachkina hit a double-leg and lifted Hrushyna to slam her the mat, earning four points and a 6-3 win.

The second spot at 57kg was earned by Sandra PARUSZEWSKI (GER) who pinned Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR) in the second period to confirm her spot. Paruszewski was leading 1-0 at the break for Kamaloglu's passivity. The Turkish wrestler began the second period with a takedown and took a 2-1 lead. Paruszewski never slowed down and used the underhook to keep Kamaloglu guessing.

She would ultimately use an underhook throw to put Kamaloglu's back on the mat and get the pin along with the Paris 2024 quota. Tokyo Olympian champion and Germany's first women's wrestling champion Aline FOCKEN (GER) would later rush to congratulate her.

Yasemin ADAR (TUR)Yasemin ADAR (TUR) won the Paris 2024 spot for Turkiye at 76kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

European champion Yasemin ADAR (TUR) convincingly defeated former European medalists to qualify Turkiye for the Paris Games at 76kg. She opened the day with a 12-2 win over Epp MAR (EST) and finished it with a 6-2 controlled win over Martina KUNEZ (AUT).

Kuenz was returning to the mat since the Ranking Series in Bishkek in June 2023 and began well, taking a 1-0 lead but Adar countered Kuenz's half-hearted attacks and scored points, ultimately winning 6-2.

Hungary managed to secure the other spot at 76kg as Bernadett NAGY (HUN) won 2-0 against Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA). This marks the fourth straight Olympic in which Hungary qualified in Women's Wrestling. Mariana SASTIN (HUN) was the first woman to qualify for wrestling in London 2012.

At 53kg, Tokyo Olympian Andreea ANA (ROU) moved back to 53kg to qualify Romania and did that by beating Annika WENDLE (GER), 5-4, in the Paris qualification bout.

The bout was not as close as the scoreline suggests but Ana did slow down in the final minute. After taking a 5-0 lead, Ana gave up two stepouts, one point for fleeing and one point for a singlet pull.

"I think after leading 5-0, I became complacent," Ana said. "I will take a break for now and then prepare for the Paris Olympics."

Tokyo Olympian Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) suffered a heartbreaking loss to Natalia MALYSHEVA (AIN) at the 53kg after Malysheva pulled Prevolaraki from the back and pinned her to the mat, securing the fall and the Paris 2024 ticket.

Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL)Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) earned a spot at 62kg for Bulgaria. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Former world champion Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) picked up a Paris 2024 ticket for Bulgaria at 62kg after she beat Ameline DOUARRE (FRA), 3-0. Dudova had failed to finish on the podium at the European Championships. However, she did not let that win affect her and easily won the quota.

Alina KASABIEVA (AIN) earned the second quota at 62kg as she defeated Mariana CHERDIVARA ESANU (MDA), 6-1.

Poland will have a representative at 68kg after 72kg regular Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) managed to score exposure in the dying moments of the bout to beat Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE), 3-2.

Hanzlickova led 2-1 after she locked both of Choluj's arms and turned her for two points. She was on the verge of pinning Choluj but the Poland wrestler managed to sneak out of that position.

Choluj got on a single-leg and scored exposure to take 3-2 lead that she defended in the last 14 seconds to earn a spot for Paris.

Tokyo Olympian Khanum VELIEVA (AIN) was in no trouble beating Manola SKOBELSKA (UKR), 12-0, at 68kg to earn the second spot for the Paris Games.

dfg

RESULTS

50kg Paris Olympic Qualification Bouts
SF 1: Oksana LIVACH (UKR) df. Mariya STADNIK (AZE), via fall (4-2)
SF 2: Nadezhda SOKOLOVA (AIN) df.  Anastasia BLAYVAS (GER), via fall (12-2)

53kg Paris Olympic Qualification Bouts
SF 1: Andreea ANA (ROU) df. Annika WENDLE (GER), 5-4
SF 2: Natalia MALYSHEVA (AIN) df. Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE), via fall (8-0)

57kg Paris Olympic Qualification Bouts
SF 1: Sandra PARUSZEWSKI (GER) df. Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR), via fall
SF 2: Iryna KURACHKINA (AIN) df. Alina HRUSHYNA AKOBIIA (UKR), 6-3

62kg Paris Olympic Qualification Bouts
SF 1: Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) df. Ameline DOUARRE (FRA), 3-0
SF 2: Alina KASABIEVA (AIN) df. Mariana CHERDIVARA ESANU (MDA), 6-1

68kg Paris Olympic Qualification Bouts
SF 1: Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) df. Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE), 3-2
SF 2: Khanum VELIEVA (AIN) df. Manola SKOBELSKA (UKR), 12-0

76kg Paris Olympic Qualification Bouts
SF 1: Bernadett NAGY (HUN) df. Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA), 2-0
SF 2: Yasemin ADAR (TUR) df. Martina KUENZ (AUT), 6-2