#kaspeuro2018

Duo of World Champs Lead Women's Wrestling European Championship Roster

By Eric Olanowski

KASPIISK, Russia (April 18) - The 2018 European Championships commence in less than two weeks in Dagestan, Russia. Though line-ups are not official, women's wrestling preliminary line-ups have been submitted to United World Wrestling, and the duo of returning world champions in Yasemin ADAR (TUR) and Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (BLR) lead the field. 

The first five weight categories (50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg, and 76kg) will start wrestling on Wednesday, May 2, and the remaining five weight classes (53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 65kg, and 72kg) will be wrestled on Thursday, May 3. 

50kg 
Oleksandra KOGUT  (AUT)
Mariya STADNIK (AZE)
Kseniya STANKEVICH (BLR)
Miglena Georgieva SELISHKA (BUL)
Ainztane GORRIA GONI (ESP)
Tabatha GRUNEWALD (FRA)
Jaqueline Saskia SCHELLIN (GER)
Jessica Cornelia Francisca BLASZKA (NED)
Anna LUKASIAK (POL)
Emilia Alina VUC  (ROU)
Anzhelika VETOSHKINA (RUS)
Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR)

2017 world champion, Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (BLR). Photo by Martin Gabor. 

53kg
Anzhela DOROGAN (AZE)
Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (BLR)
Marina RUEDA FLORES (ESP)
Tatiana DEBIEN (FRA)
Nina HEMMER (GER)
Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE)
Mercedesz DENES (HUN)
Karalina TJAPKO (LAT)
Iulia LEORDA (MDA)
Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL)
Estera TAMADUIANU DOBRE (ROU)
Stalvira ORSHUSH (RUS)
Linn Matilda Daniela LUNDSTROEM (SWE)
Aysun ERGE (TUR)

55kg
Solmaz HASHIMZADA (AZE)
Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR)
Evelina Georgieva NIKOLOVA (BUL)
Elena Heike BRUGGER (GER)
Ramona GALAMBOS (HUN)
Roksana Marta ZASINA (POL)
Simona PRICOB (ROU)
Nina MENKENOVA (RUS)
Bediha GUN (TUR)

2017 European champion, Grace Jacob BULLEN (NOR) . 

57kg
Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE)

Zalina SIDAKOVA (BLR)
Bilyana Zhivkova DUDOVA (BUL)
Lenka HOCKOVA MARTINAKOVA (CZE)
Mathilde Hélène RIVIERE (FRA)
Laura MERTENS (GER)
Emese BARKA (HUN)
Grace Jacob BULLEN (NOR)
Jowita Maria WRZESIEN (POL)
Kateryna ZHYDACHEVSKA (ROU)
Irina OLOGONOVA (RUS)
Szilvia PETER (SWE)
Mehlika OZTURK (TUR)

59kg
Tetiana OMELCHENKO (AZE)
Katsiaryna HANCHAR YANUSHKEVICH (BLR)
Mimi Nikolova HRISTOVA (BUL)
Kornelija ZAICEVAITE (LTU)
Svetlana LIPATOVA (RUS)
Emma Margareta Charlotte JOHANSSON (SWE)
Elif Jale YESILIRMAK  (TUR)

62kg
Elmira GAMBAROVA (AZE)
Veranika IVANOVA (BLR)
Taybe Mustafa YUSEIN (BUL)
Luzie MANZKE(GER)
Aurora CAMPAGNA (ITA)
Agnieszka Sylwia KROL (POL)
Kriszta Tunde INCZE (ROU)
Inna  TRAZHUKOVA (RUS)
Malin Johanna MATTSSON (SWE)
Derya BAYHAN (TUR)

Current world no. 1 Petra Maarit OLLI (FIN). Photo Martin Gabor. 

65kg 
Iryna  Petrovna NETREBA (AZE)
Krystsina FEDARASHKA (BLR)
Gabriela Georgieva PEYCHEVA (BUL)
Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE)
Petra Maarit OLLI (FIN)
Gabriella SLEISZ (HUN)
Hedda Haug STRAND (NOR)
Adina Elena POPESCU (ROU)
Yulia PRONTSEVITCH  (RUS)
Henna Katarina JOHANSSON (SWE)
Asli TUGCU (TUR)

68kg
Martina KUENZ (AUT)
Elis MANOLOVA (AZE)
Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (BLR)
Sofiya Hristova GEORGIEVA (BUL)
Koumba Selene Fanta LARROQUE (FRA)
Ilana KRATYSH (ISR)
Dalma CANEVA (ITA)
Laura SKUJINA (LAT)
Danute DOMIKAITYTE(LTU)
Monika Ewa MICHALIK (POL)
Alexandra Nicoleta ANGHEL (ROU)
Anastasia BRATCHIKOVA (RUS)
Buse TOSUN (TUR)

72kg
Yauheniya ANDREICHYKAVA (BLR)
Cynthia Vanessa VESCAN (FRA)
Agnieszka Jadwiga WIESZCZEK-KORDUS (POL)
Tatiana KOLESNIKOVA MOROZOVA (RUS)
Anna Jenny Eva Maria FRANSSON (SWE)
Burcu UGDULER ORSKAYA (TUR)

2017 world champion, Yasemin ADAR (TUR). Photo by Martin Gabor. 

76kg
Sabira ALIYEVA (AZE)
Vasilisa MARZALIUK (BLR)
Epp MAE (EST)
Aline FOCKEN (GER)
Zsanett NEMETH (HUN)
Svetlana SAENKO (MDA)
Ekaterina BUKINA (RUS)
Yasemin ADAR (TUR)

Development

United World Wrestling's Commitment: Empowering Athletes and Coaches for the Paris Olympics

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (July 22) -- In a remarkable demonstration of dedication and support for athletes, United World Wrestling (UWW) has played an important role in helping athletes qualify for the upcoming Paris Olympic Games. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Olympic Solidarity, National Olympic Committees (NOCs), and UWW Development, a total of 213 athletes and coaches benefited from the UWW Technical Assistance for the continental qualifiers and participated in acclimatization camps ahead of the continental qualifiers for the Paris Olympics.

In total, over 200,000 CHF has been invested globally in helping athletes qualify for the Games via continental qualifiers. This substantial financial commitment underscores UWW's unwavering dedication to nurturing wrestling talent and fostering elite-level development of the sport worldwide.

Athletes Qualified for the Paris Olympic Games
The result of this concerted effort has been outstanding, with 9 athletes under UWW financial support from 4 different nations successfully qualifying for the Paris Olympic Games.

The following athletes have secured their spots at the Paris Olympic Games via the continental qualifiers:

  • Chaimaa Fouzia Aouissi (ALG)
  • Bacar Ndum (GBS)
  • Diamantino Iuna Fafe (GBS)
  • Oussama Assad (MAR)
  • Gaku Akazawa (SAM)
  • Tayla Tuahine Ford (NZL)
  • Genesis Rosangela Reasco Valdez (ECU)
  • Darian Toi Ruz (PUR)
  • Ethan Adrian Ramos (PUR)

In addition, last year, through UWW Technical Assistance provided during the Senior World Championships (1st phase of the Paris OG qualifier), 3 athletes secured their qualification for the Paris Olympic Games. These athletes are:

  • Sebastian C Rivera (PUR)
  • Otgonjargal Dolgorjav (MGL)
  • Tatiana Renteria Renteria (COL)

In total 12 athletes benefited from the UWW financial support qualified spots for the Paris Olympic Games.

Refugee Athletes
With the support of Olympic Solidarity, the following refugee athletes have also qualified and will be part of the Refugee Olympic Team:

  • Iman MAHDAVI
  • Jamal VALIZADEH

Empowering Female Coaches at Elite Level
In addition to the athletes, the Olympic Solidarity and UWW Women in Sport High-Performance (WISH) program has made a significant advancement for gender equality in wrestling.

Three WISH program coaches attended the continental Olympic qualifiers:

  • Marwa Amri (TUN)
  • Carissa Holland (AUS)
  • Happiness Enugu Burutu (NGR)

This initiative marks a significant step forward for the sport of wrestling, contributing to the expansion of elite female coaches participating in high-level international competitions.

Safeguarding Athletes at Olympic Qualifiers
In alignment with IOC recommendations, United World Wrestling (UWW) has taken proactive measures to safeguard athletes participating in championships and Olympic Qualifiers. Dedicated staff members have been stationed at these events to provide vigilant oversight and ensure athletes' safety, protecting them from any form of harassment or abuse.

UWW's steadfast commitment to athlete welfare extends beyond competition success, prioritizing their well-being and creating a secure environment conducive to athletic excellence. By implementing these measures, UWW upholds the principles of fairness, respect, and integrity, fostering a culture where athletes can thrive and pursue their Olympic aspirations, reinforcing the organization's role as a guardian of athlete rights and dignity on the global stage.

United World Wrestling's comprehensive support system, encompassing financial aid, technical assistance, and development programs, has been crucial in helping athletes and coaches achieve their dreams of qualifying for the Paris Olympic Games. This initiative not only highlights the global reach and impact of UWW but also underscores its commitment to fostering talent and promoting gender equality and inclusion in the sport of wrestling. As the countdown to the Paris Olympic Games continues, the success stories of these athletes and coaches will undoubtedly inspire future generations of wrestlers worldwide.