#WrestleBudapest

Chekhirkin to Replace Vlasov at European OG Qualifier

By Eric Olanowski

BUDAPEST, Hungary (March 15) -- Two-time Olympic champion Roman VLASOV (RUS) has been replaced as Russia's 77kg representative at the  European OG Qualifier by Aleksandr CHEKHIRKIN (RUS). 

Coincidentally, the last time Chekhirkin replaced Vlasov as Russia's guy, was also in Budapest. Vlasov tore his knee less than two weeks before the '18 World Championships, and Chekhirkin stepped in and claimed world gold at 77kg. He won six bouts en route to gold and captured wins over world medalists Viktor NEMES (SRB), Elvin MURSALIYEV (AZE), Alex KESSIDIS (SWE) before edging eventual '19 world champion Tamas LORINCZ (HUN), 3-1, in the finals.

If Chekhirkin does qualify this weekend, there hasn't been any indication of who will receive the nod for Russian when the Tokyo Olympics roll around. That will be determined at a later date.

In addition to Russia's Greco-Roman update at 77kg, they also removed Olympic champion Davit CHAKVETADZE (RUS) and inserted Milad ALIRZAEV (RUS) at 87ikg. And at 130kg, they confirmed that '18 world champion Sergei SEMENOV (RUS) will be their man.

For a full list of updated European OG Qualifier entries, please click HERE.

#BeachWrestling

WATCH LIVE: African Beach Wrestling Championships, Dakar

By United World Wrestling Press

DAKAR, Senegal (June 22) -- The senior African Beach Wrestling Championships is underway in Dakar, Senegal with more than 100 wrestlers competing in men's and women's categories.

The men's weight classes are 70kg, 80kg, 90kg and +90kg while the women's weight categories are 50kg, 60kg, 70kg and +70kg.

This is the second edition of the African Beach Wrestling Championships with the first held in Hammamet, Tunisia last year. The competition will be played out on Saturday and Sunday in two rings.

WATCH AFRICAN BEACH WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS LIVE

RING A


RING B