#kaspeuro2018

Freestyle Brackets Released for Sixth Day of #KaspEuro2018

By Eric Olanowski

KASPIISK, Russia (May 4) – Freestyle wrestling at the Palace of Sport and Youth continues on Saturday morning at 11:00 AM (local time) with the Russians looking to pick up where the left off after the first day of competition. The host nation's freestyle squad finished day five undefeated and placed all wrestlers into Saturday night’s finals.

Gadshimurad RASHIDOV (RUS), 2017 world finalist, 2016 Olympian Vladimir DUBOV (BUL) and 2015 European Games finalist Beka LOMTADZE (GEO) will be vying for the gold medal at 61kg

At 74kgthe safe bet gold medal winner is between two-time world champion, Frank CHAMIZO (ITA), world and Olympic bronze medalist, Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR), and Khetik TSABOLOV (RUS).

Both Chamizo and Demirtas have multiple European titles under their belts, with Italian having a trio of golds and the Turk with a pair of championships. Meanwhile, Khetik TSABOLOV (RUS), 2017 world runner-up has never competed in a European Championship. 

The must-watch match-up of the morning session is going to be Frank Chamizo and Khetik Tsabolov. That is if they both win their opening round matches. 

Though 86kg reigning champion DAUREN KURUGLIEV (RUS) is not competing, returning medalists Aleksander GOSTIEV (AZE) and Istvan VEREB (HUN) return with hopes of improving their silver and bronze medals.

At 92kgit’s Olympic champions in Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) and Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE) vying for top honors. The last time these two met was in the semifinals of the 2016 Olympic Games where Sadualev came out on top with an 8-1 victory. 

Sharifov, the 2012 Olympic champion followed up his London performance with a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Games. 

A victory for Sadulaev, the two-time world champion, and Olympic gold medalist would give the hometown favorite his fourth European Championship.

Taha AKGUL (TUR) has his sights on winning his fifth European 125kg title; but the 2016 Olympic champions will most likely have to upend longtime rival and 2017 world champion, Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO).

Akgul and Petriashvili have accounted for every world or Olympic gold medal dating back to 2014, and every European title dating back to 2012. The pair’s 2017 world finals in Paris is considered the greatest freestyle heavyweight wrestling match in history.

#development, #Anti-Doping

UWW, ITA deliver anti-doping education at World Championships camp

By United World Wrestling Press

POREC, Croatia (September 11) -- The United World Wrestling recently hosted a successful on-site Anti-Doping education event in collaboration with the International Testing Agency at the World Championships acclimatization camp in Poreč.

This marked the first time UWW partnered with ITA to deliver education directly at a training camp. A dedicated booth was set up on September 8 and 9 during the camp, and presentation sessions, led by ITA educator Anita HARTUNG, were held during the evenings of both days.

"The camp offered a great opportunity to connect with athletes ahead of their major competition," Hartung said. "Many stopped by the Clean Sport booth before and after training, showing genuine interest and openness in discussing the fundamentals of Anti-Doping.

"It was inspiring to be surrounded by such a motivated athlete community and support them in their sporting journey."

The sessions provided athletes with in-depth knowledge about Anti-Doping rules, safe supplement use, and ethical sporting practices.

Two dedicated presentation sessions explored key topics, including athletes’ rights and responsibilities, how to check medications, Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs), Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs), and the risks associated with supplement use.

Holding the sessions during the acclimatization period, rather than the competition phase, allowed athletes to engage in a more relaxed environment and fully focus on learning.

CRO

"These are some of the best wrestlers in the world, and thanks to the collaboration with ITA, they are better informed,” Carlos ROY, UWW Secretary General, said. "Education on Anti-Doping protects our sport, promotes fair competition, and ensures our athletes can perform at their best with confidence."

The initiative reflects UWW’s ongoing commitment to clean sport and athlete support. By equipping wrestlers with knowledge and tools to make informed choices, UWW and ITA aim to strengthen integrity in wrestling while fostering a culture of safe and fair competition.

The Anti-Doping education sessions are part of a broader effort by UWW to provide athletes with continuous learning opportunities on the importance of competing clean, complementing existing regulations and testing programs.

With the World Championships on the horizon, these activities ensure that athletes are not only physically and technically prepared but also well-informed about Anti-Doping practices, reinforcing the values of integrity, fairness, and excellence in wrestling.