#kaspeuro2018

Eleven Nations Represented in Day Four Women's Wrestling Semifinals

Thursday, May 3, 2018 - 11:02 By Eric Olanowski

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KASPIISK, Russia (May 3) - Russian women reached the semifinals in four of the five weight categories during the fourth day of competition at the 2018 European Championships. Ten other nations will be represented in the semifinals with Belarus and Bulgaria each having a trio of wrestlers vying for a spot in tomorrow’s finalist. 

Two of the most intriguing semifinals match-ups will be at 53kg and 57kg. 

Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) and Stalvira ORSHUSH (RUS) will battle for the finals spot at 53kg. 

Poland’s Krawczyk, a two-time European medalist is on a quest to make her second trip to the finals. She finished with a silver medalist after dropping the 2015 European Games finals to Sweden's Sofia MATTSSON.

Orshush has been on a tear this year, only dropping a single match. She’s currently ranked no. 11 in the world after capturing the Klippan Lady Open gold medal and the silver medal at the Ivan Yarygin. 


At 57kg, Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE) and Irina OLOGONOVA (RUS) will wrestle for a spot in Friday night’s finals.

Ologonova, the three-time world finalist will be making her second finals appearance. In her first showing at the European Championships, the Russian walked away with the gold medal.

Kolesnik, last years European bronze medalist will be looking to make her first senior-level Euro finals.

Other wrestlers to pay attention to in tonight's semifinals are 2017 world champion, Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (BLR), 2016 Rio bronze medalist, Jenny FRANSSON (SWE) and world no. 1 Petra OLLI (FIN). 

MATCH-UPS 
53kg
SEMIFINAL - Stalvira ORSHUSH (RUS) vs. Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) 
SEMIFINAL - Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) vs. Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (BLR)

Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL). (Photo by Max Rose-Fyne) 

57kg
SEMIFINAL - Irina OLOGONOVA (RUS) vs. Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE) 
SEMIFINAL - Emese BARKA (HUN) vs. Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL)

62kg
SEMIFINAL -  Taybe Mustafa YUSEIN (BUL) vs. Veranika IVANOVA (BLR) 
SEMIFINAL - Inna TRAZHUKOVA (RUS) vs. Luzie MANZKE (GER)

65kg
SEMIFINAL - Viktoria BOBEVA (BUL) vs. Petra OLLI (FIN)
SEMIFINAL - Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) vs. Henna JOHANSSON (SWE)

Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (BLR). (Photo by Max Rose-Fyne) 

68kg
SEMIFINAL - Alena PEREPELKINA (RUS) vs. Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (BLR) 
SEMIFINAL - Jenny FRANSSON (SWE) vs. Beste ALTUG (TUR)

Obituary

Japan legend Hanahara passes away at 84

Friday, February 9, 2024 - 18:39 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (February 9) -- United World Wrestling and the Japanese Wrestling Federation, with heavy hearts, announce the passing of Mr. Tsutomu HANAHARA, a revered Olympic champion who etched his name in history through his extraordinary feats in the realm of Greco-Roman wrestling.

Mr. Hanahara, at the age of 84, passed away February 5th, 2024, at approximately 23:00, succumbing to illness.

Mr. Hanahara's crowning achievement came at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, where he captured the hearts of a nation by defeating Angel KERESOV (BUL), clinching the 52kg Greco-Roman gold medal.

Following his career on the mat, Mr. Hanahara continued to shape the landscape of Greco-Roman wrestling in Japan, assuming the role as Chairman of the Strengthening Committee of the Japanese Wrestling Federation. His leadership was instrumental in propelling the Japanese wrestling team to new heights, notably steering them at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games.

As a coach, Mr. Hanahara led his alma mater, Nippon Sports Science University, to 18 consecutive East Japan Student League Championships, spanning from 1979 to 1996.

Mr. Hanahara's passion for wrestling carried over to his son and grandson. His son, Daisuke HANAHARA (JPN), finished in 11th place at the 1992 Olympic Games, where he competed in the 57kg Greco-Roman bracket. Furthermore, his grandson, Hiroto HANAHARA (JPN), clinched a 57kg freestyle bronze medal at the 2023 U15 Asian Championships.

UWW and the Japan Wrestling Federation mourn the passing Mr. Hanahara and express our deepest sympathies to the Hanahara family.