#development

Dominican Republic hosts Coaches Courses Level 1, 2, Introduction to Refereeing

By United World Wrestling Press

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (October 3) A series of UWW courses were held in the city of Santo Domingo from September 25 to 29; The courses were: Coaches Course Level 1 and Level 2 and Introduction to Refereeing. A total of 31 participants, between coaches and referees, took part in the course. The educators were all local, from different provinces of the Dominican Republic.

This course is part of the UWW's education program, and the purpose is to provide the coaches with tools to strengthen their professional work. The course consisted of several sessions between, theoretical and practical, structured in such a way that what was learned in the classroom was applied on the mat.

This course was made with the support of the Olympic Solidarity Dominican Olympic Committee and the Dominican Wrestling Federation.

The opening ceremony was held in the Dominican Olympic Center on September 25 and was attended by distinguished personalities such as the President of the National Olympic Committee and the Dominican Wrestling Federation, Antonio CORLETTO, Secretary of the Executive Committee of the NF, Onésimo RUFINO, Technical Director of NF, Rodolfo Castro Martinez and Olympic Solidarity of the NOC, Lussy Caraballo.

CourseParticipants discuss theoretical and practical topics that will ultimatly be uitalized on the mat. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

The course was officially inaugurated after listening to the notes of the Dominican National Anthem and the words of welcome by Antonio Corletto.

As we are used to, we had the facilitators Pedro ROJAS (PUR) for the coaches and Abraham GALVA (PUR) for the referees. 

"I want to thank on behalf of the two women who are present in this course, thanks to our administration, to Olympic Solidarity, and thanks to God, today we were able to learn. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts because today, we will no longer be like before. Thanks to our excellent facilitators. I am sure that our colleagues and I will not return to our provinces empty-handed," said Francia Mayelin Perez, woman referee.

The Dominican Wrestling Federation is working very hard in the development of the sport in its country. And from the UWW, we hope to continue working in this way with them and accompany them in their growth and institutional strengthening.

#WrestleZagreb

Zagreb Open 2025 Day 2: Iran continues domination

By United World Wrestling Press

ZAGREB, Croatia (February 6) -- Zagreb Open day two with four Freestyle weight classes and Women's Wrestling in two weight classes. Day one saw six Freestyle classes with the United States and Iran winning two gold medals each. Azerbaijan and Slovakia won the remaining two.

LIVE MATCH ORDER | WATCH LIVE | 2025 SEASON PREVIEW

13:25: In the women's wrestling semifinal at 55kg, veteran Sam STEWART (CAN) leg laces Elnura MAMMADOVA (AZE) and wins 12-1. She will face world bronze medalist Tatiana DEBIEN (FRA) who got the better of Ekaterina VERVINA (AIN) 5-4.

13:15: Mason PARRIS (USA) holds off Hayden ZILLMER (USA) 4-2 in the 125kg semifinal. But his big test will come in the final against Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) who beats Kamil KOSCIOLEK (POL) 8-0.

13:05: Kyle SNYDER (USA) back in the Zagreb Open final at 97kg. He blanks Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK) 10-0 and he like take on Abolfazl BABALOO (IRI) who just about managed to beat Jonathan AIELLO (USA) 6-5 in the other semifinal. Aiello was down 6-3 but added two stepouts and almost got the third but the time ran out.

12:55: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) may have confirmed his European Championships spot at 92kg as he beats Abubakar ABAKAROV (AZE) in the semifinal. Abakarov built a 3-2 but struggled with his shoulder which needed constantly medical attention. He changed the score to 5-4 with a minute remaining but Nurmagomedov scored a takedown to lead 6-5. Abakarov got hold off Nurmagomedov's leg for a good 10 seconds but failed to get a takedown. Nurmagomedov will wrestle Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) in the final

12:40: Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) breaks Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) with his pace and wins the 79kg semifinal 4-1. Gamkrelidze got a point for Yousefi's passivity in the first period but the Iranian up the pace in the second period, scoring two stepouts and a takedown on the edge to win 4-1. He will face Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) who defeated Rocco WELSH (USA) 4-2

12:30: Semifinals on day two! Paris Olympian at 86kg Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) is up against U20 world champion Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) at 79kg and Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) has Rocco WELSH (USA).

11:45: Match of the tournament so far! Abubakar ABAKAROV (AZE) has to come back multiple times as Iuza TSERTSVADZE (GEO) threatened to upset him. Tsertsvadze scored a takedown and two turns using a gut wrench to lead 6-0 before Abakarov began the second period with a stepout. He close the differnce to 6-5. Tsertsvadze was on the verge of extending his lead but Abakarov scored a four-pointer using a cut back to make it 9-7. A takedown and turn later, Tsertsvadze led 11-9 but Abakarov hit a single leg attack with 10 seconds left and score the two points needed to win. He is into the 92kg semifinals.

11:41: Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) wrestle with so much authority on the mat. No missed shots or efforts which can get countered. Just controls his way, like he did in a 5-0 win against Murazi MCHEDLIDZE (UKR) and enter the semifinal at 125kg.

11:35: Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) with another controlled win. He gets the better of Michael MACCHIAVELLO (USA) 5-0. He will wrestle in the semifinals

11:25: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE), coached by his uncle and Olympic champion Sharif SHARIPOV (AZE), puts on a great show of defense and counters to beat Uri KALASHNIKOV (ISR) 5-0 at 92kg.

11:22: Paris Olympian Mason PARRIS (USA) faced compatriot Trent HILLGER (USA) in the opening round at 125kg and after a few stutters, he comes out as a 12-3

11:20: Kyle SNYDER (USA) who won a silver medal here in Zagreb last year begins with a 11-0 win over Richard VEGH (HUN) and moves into the semifinal at 97kg.

11:15: World bronze medalist Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK) looked rusty to begin with and he got U20 world champion Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) in the first bout. Yousefi pounced on him and won 10-0 inside four minutes at 79kg.

10:55: Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE) holds off former U20 world champion Mohammadmobin AZIMI (IRI). Abakarov led 6-1 before giving up a takedown and turn for four points. He still wins 6-5

10:40: Asian champion Amirhossein FIROZPOUR (IRI) kicks off proceedings in dominant fashion. He scores a 11-0 technical superiority win over Zaur BERADZE (GEO) inside the first period.

10:30: Welcome to day two of the Zagreb Open and we have the remaining four Freestyle weight classes in action along with two in Women's Wrestling.