#BudaWrestle2018

Dake, Cox Add to USA's Gold-Medal Haul in Budapest

By Andrew Hipps

BUDAPEST, Hungary (October 22) -- A day after the United States of America captured its first gold medal in Budapest, Kyle DAKE and J'den COX added to the gold-medal haul for USA by winning world titles.

Dake won the gold medal at 79kg and did so without surrendering a point throughout the competition. The 27-year-old American outscored his opponents 37-0. 

"I definitely put the work in to get to where I needed to be," said Dake. "I've always been pretty stingy with points. Giving up points is not something I like to do."

In the gold-medal match, Dake won 2-0 over 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE). 

He scored his first point off the shot clock in the first period before adding another point off a step out in the second period. 

Like his USA teammate David TAYLOR who won gold on Sunday at 86kg, Dake claimed a gold medal in his first Senior World Championships. 

Cox, a bronze medalist at the Rio Olympics and Paris World Championships while competing at 86kg, topped Ivan YANKOUSKI (BLR) 4-1 in the gold-medal match at 92kg. 

Cox scored two of his points off step outs in each of the two periods. Holding a 2-1 lead late in the match, Cox shot a single leg and secured a takedown in the closing seconds to clinch the victory.

"I wish I could have scored more points, but it seemed like my opponent didn't really want to wrestle that much," Cox said. 

Russia claimed a gold medal at 57kg as Zavur UGUEV (RUS) edged Nurislam SANAYEV (KAZ) 4-3 in a back-and-forth match. The victory gave Russia its second gold medal in Budapest and clinched the freestyle team title. 

Uguev, a two-time cadet world champion, struck first with a takedown midway through the first period, but Sanayev responded a short time later with a takedown off a leg attack to grab the lead. 

In the second period, Uguev retook the lead off a step out, but like in the first period, Sanayev responded, taking the lead off a step out of his own. With Sanayev leading on criteria late in the match, he was hit with a caution and one for grabbing the singlet, giving the match to Ugaev, 4-3. 

In an action-filled, high-scoring match, 19-year-old Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) won the gold medal at 65kg with a 16-9 victory over Bajrang BAJRANG (IND). 

Otoguro, a 2015 cadet world champion, jumped out to a 5-0 lead early on the strength of a four-point takedown. But Bajrang came back with two takedowns to cut the deficit to 5-4. The two traded two-point takedowns again, and the first period ended 7-6 in favor of Otoguro. 

Otoguro built his lead to 12-6 in the second period, but Bajrang continued to battle. He climbed back his back into the match with a takedown and points off cautions, but Orogoru was able to score when he needed to and claim a seven-point victory.  

2017 world champion Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) rebounded from a semifinal loss to Uguev to win a bronze medal at 57kg with a 5-4 win over Reineri ANDREU ORTEGA (CUB). The other bronze medal at 57kg went to Suleyman ATLI (TUR), who topped 2017 world silver medalist Thomas GILMAN (USA) 5-4.

Alejandro VALDES TOBIER (CUB) earned a world bronze medal at 65kg for the second consecutive year. He cruised to a 10-0 technical fall over Seungchul LEE (KOR) in the bronze-medal match. Akhmed CHAKAEV (RUS) won his second bronze medal in three years with a 9-4 win over George BUCUR (ROU).

The bronze medals at 79kg were won by Ali SHABANAU (BLR) and Akhmed GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (RUS). For Shabanau, it was his fourth world bronze medal.

At 92kg, Alireza KARIMIMACHIANI (IRI) won his second world bronze medal. The other bronze at 92kg was won by Atsushi MATSUMOTO (JPN), who edged Turtogtokh LUVSANDORJ (MGL) 6-5. 

Finals Results

Freestyle

57kg
GOLD: Zavur UGUEV (RUS) df. Nurislam SANAYEV (KAZ) by VPO1, 4-3
BRONZE: Suleyman ATLI (TUR) df. Thomas GILMAN (USA) by VPO1, 5-4
BRONZE: Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) df. Reineri ANDREU ORTEGA (CUB) by VPO1, 5-4

65kg
GOLD: Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) df. Bajrang BAJRANG (IND) by VPO1, 16-9
BRONZE: Alejandro VALDES TOBIER (CUB) df. Seungchul LEE (KOR) by VSU, 10-0
BRONZE: Akhmed CHAKAEV (RUS) df. George BUCUR (ROU) by VPO1, 9-4

79kg
GOLD: Kyle DAKE (USA) df. Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE) by VPO, 2-0
BRONZE: Ali SHABANAU (BLR) df. Ezzatollah Abbas AKBARIZARINKOLAEI (IRI) by VPO1, 8-8
BRONZE: Akhmed GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) df. Davit KHUTSISHVILI (GEO) by VSU, 10-0

92kg
GOLD: J'den COX (USA) df. Ivan YANKOUSKI (BLR) by VPO1, 4-1
BRONZE: Alireza KARIMIMACHIANI (IRI) df. Dato MARSAGISHVILI (GEO) by VSU1, 12-1
BRONZE: Atsushi MATSUMOTO (JPN) df. Turtogtokh LUVSANDORJ (MGL) by VPO1, 6-5
 

#development

Moldova Hosts UWW Coaching Course

By United World Wrestling Press

KISHINEV, Moldova (October 30) --- Moldova boasts a rich wrestling history and a strong tradition of excellent performance in the sport. In their ongoing efforts to foster the development and growth of wrestling, a Technical Course for Coaches (Level 2) and an Introduction to Refereeing Course were organized. These courses were conducted in partnership with the Moldova Olympic Committee, Olympic Solidarity and United World Wrestling.

"As the President of the Wrestling Federation of Moldova, I feel satisfaction in seeing how our shared passion for wrestling unites us," said Ivan GHEORGHIU. "The seminar has brought a wealth of interesting information and knowledge, as well as a valuable opportunity to discuss and exchange experiences. We must use this experience and knowledge to uphold high standards in our sport in Moldova."

Yusup ABDUSALAMOV, UWW Educator, and Arsen JULFALAKYAN, President of UWW Athlete Commission, led the Level 2 Coaching Course, which took place October 16-20. 

MDAParticipants walk through how to develop a practice plan during the Level 2 Coaching Course in Moldova. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Throughout the course, Abdusalamov and Julfalakyan led 59 participants in sessions focused on practice-plan development, long-term athlete development model, risk management, discipline in sport, anti-doping, mental development and athlete safeguarding.

"Overall, the course went well, and I am satisfied with the participants' engagement and progress throughout the training. I anticipate their enhanced coaching skills will have a positive impact on their athletes in the future," said Abdusalamov.

"Since my cadet ages, I had the opportunity to compete with Moldavian wrestlers, be acquainted with their wrestling style and build friendly relations. Until now, I haven't managed to visit their beautiful country to witness their conditions for wrestling and how they run our beloved sport," said Julfalakyan, the world champion and Olympic silver medalist. "We met most of the Moldavian coaches and referees, held very fruitful seminars (theory and practical part), and discussed some important wrestling topics with the NF President and other members. They are very motivated to develop all wrestling styles in their country."

MDA
Participants of the Technical Course for Coaches (Level 2) and the Introduction to Refereeing Course pose for a group photo. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

"As both an athlete and a coach, the information I received at the Technical Course for Coaches Level II was incredibly beneficial, particularly concerning the long-term athlete development model. I also appreciated your personal experiences and the practical applicability of all the information," said Mikhail SAVA.

In addition to the coaching course, Moldova hosted an Introduction to Refereeing course. Igor LIGAY, an IS Referee and UWW Educator, led the course, which 29 participants attended. During the course, the participants focused on the tools needed to excel as a high-level referee. These areas included referee team duties, referee mechanics, controlling the bout, referee position, and scoring situations. 

"Thank you very much for the knowledge, skills, abilities and information you shared with us," said Mihail.

"All seminar participants actively participated in the process, asked questions and participated in discussions. They were often surprised how much the rules had changed. After the seminar, many expressed gratitude for the knowledge they received and expressed a desire to hold similar seminars in Moldova every year," Ligay.