#YasarDogu

Diakomihalis Dazzles in Wins Over Retherford and Musukaev, Two Other Americans Reach #YasarDogu Finals

Friday, July 12, 2019 - 14:33 By Eric Olanowski

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ISTANBUL, Turkey (July 12) --- Yianni DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) dazzled in his first international senior-level competition and erased a 9-0 semifinals deficit to move into the 65kg Yasar Dogu finals. He was one of three American wrestlers who reached the Day 3 gold-medal bout at the final Ranking Series event of the season. 

The two-time cadet world champion kicked off his day with an impressive 9-5 victory over the United States’ current 65kg world team member, Zain RETHERFORD (USA). 

This was the fourth time Diakomihalis and Retherford have faced off against each other in the last two months. With his win on Friday morning, Diakomihalis evened the series at two matches apiece -- leaving the United States with a head-scratching decision on who to enter at 65kg into September’s Nur-Sultan World Championships. 

Diakomihalis followed that up with a 13-2 victory over Ali RAHIMZADE (AZE), and set up a semifinals match with former two-time Russian National runner-up Ismail MUSUKAEV (HUN), who now competes for Hungary. 

In the semifinals, Diakomihalis’ now-Hungarian opponent built a 9-0 lead but crumbled in the second period and gave up three cautions -- disqualifying him from the match. 

In the final period of his semifinals match, the American scored nine unanswered points from two takedowns (cradle and a double leg), a pair of steps outs, and three caution-and-one’s -- which disqualified Musukaev from the match. 

Diakomihalis will wrestle Haji ALI (BRN) on Saturday night for the 65kg gold medal. Ali closed out his run to the finals with a 6-3 victory over Cengizhan ERDOGAN (TUR) in the other semifinal. 

Alexander DIERINGER (USA) and Nicholas GWIAZDOWSKI (USA) were the two other Americans who locked up their spot in the Day 3 Yasar Dogu finals. 

Dieringer will wrestle Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK) in the 79kg finals, while Gwiazdowski will take on the three-time world and Olympic champion Taha AKGUL (TUR) in the 125kg finals. 

The Day 3 finals begin on Saturday at 17:00 (local time) and can be watched live on www.unitedworldwrestling.org.

Freestyle

65kg
GOLD - John DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) vs. Haji Mohamad ALI (BRN)
SEMIFINAL - John DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) df. Ismail MUSUKAEV (HUN), 9-9 (via cautions)
SEMIFINAL - Haji Mohamad ALI (BRN) df. Cengizhan ERDOGAN (TUR), 6-3

79kg
GOLD - Alexander DIERINGER (USA) vs. Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK)
SEMIFINAL - Alexander David DIERINGER (USA) df. Bahman TEYMOURI (IRI)
SEMIFINAL - Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK) df. Muhammet Nuri KOTANOGLU (TUR), 2-2 

125kg
GOLD - Taha AKGUL (TUR) vs. Nicholas GWIAZDOWSKI (USA)
SEMIFINAL - Nicholas Edward GWIAZDOWSKI (USA) df. Sumit SUMIT (IND), 
SEMIFINAL - Taha AKGUL (TUR) df.Yadollah Mohammadkazem MOHEBI (IRI), 10-0 

Women’s Wrestling

53kg
GOLD - Vinesh VINESH (IND) vs. Ekaterina POLESHCHUK (RUS)
SEMIFINAL - Ekaterina POLESHCHUK (RUS) df. Liliya HORISHNA (UKR), 7-5
SEMIFINAL - Vinesh VINESH (IND) df. Iryna HUSYAK (UKR), 14-4

57kg
GOLD – Tetyana KIT (UKR) vs. Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR)
SEMIFINAL - Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR) df. Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (RUS), 6-3 
SEMIFINAL - Tetyana KIT (UKR) df. Emese BARKA (HUN), via injury default 

62kg
GOLD – Marianna SASTIN (HUN) vs. Henna JOHANSSON (SWE)
SEMIFINAL - Henna JOHANSSON (SWE) df. Anzhela FOMENKO (RUS), via fall 
SEMIFINAL - Marianna SASTIN (HUN) df. Lais NUNES DE OLIVEIRA (BRA), 4-2 

68kg
GOLD – Danielle LAPPAGE (CAN) vs. Maryia MAMASHUK (BLR)
SEMIFINAL - Danielle LAPPAGE (CAN) df. Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR), 8-1 
SEMIFINAL - Maryia MAMASHUK (BLR) df. Anna Carmen SCHELL (GER), 5-2 

UWW Opens Dedicated Office for Grappling, MMA, Pankration in Lausanne

Monday, July 6, 2026 - 17:15 By United World Wrestling Press

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LAUSANNE, Switzerland (July 6) -- United World Wrestling marked a significant milestone for Grappling, MMA and Pankration on Monday with the official opening of its dedicated office for the three associated styles at the Maison du Sport International in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The new office will serve as the operational hub for the continued development and governance of Grappling, MMA and Pankration within the UWW family.

The official opening was attended by UWW President Nenad LALOVIC, President of the UWW Committee of Associated Styles and UWW Vice President Rodica YAKSI, UWW Committee for Grappling, MMA and Pankration Vice President Adrian BAKOS, and UWW Committee for Grappling, MMA and Pankration Member Gaji GAJIYEV.

Michal BUCHEL has been appointed Head of the office and Tolegen KUMAROV, who was appointed Head of Grappling at United World Wrestling on February 21 in Baku, will also be part of the new office. He will be responsible, within the framework of the UWW Committee for Grappling, MMA and Pankration, for the strategic development of grappling worldwide.

Lausanne

In the coming days, a working group will be formed and will begin implementing key projects aimed at developing these disciplines.

The main objectives set by UWW for the committee will be the systematic development of Grappling, MMA and Pankration, the unification and strengthening of international cooperation, the support of national federations, as well as the creation of new opportunities for athletes around the world.

The office for the three styles is open to constructive cooperation with all organisations that are sincerely interested in the development of these disciplines, the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, and the education of the younger generation.

I is important for all international, continental and national organisations developing Grappling, MMA and Pankration to build relationships based on mutual respect, open dialogue and partnership. Sport has always been a universal language that brings people together regardless of nationality, culture or political views. 

By bringing together the experience, knowledge and collective efforts of the global sports community, it’s possible to ensure the sustainable development of Grappling, MMA and Pankration, strengthen their international standing, and open a new chapter in the history of combat sports.