#Zagreb2018

Gurbanov and Zavertailo to Meet in Semifinals at #Zagreb2018 in Rematch of 2017 World Finals

By Taylor Miller

ZAGREB, Croatia – We’ll see a rematch of last year’s Cadet World finals in the 45 kg World semifinals as 2017 champion Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) will meet up with silver medalist Hennadii ZAVERTAILO (UKR) tonight in Zagreb, Croatia.

The last time those two met, Gurbanov scored in the last four seconds to take a 5-4 win and the 2017 Cadet World title.

In the other semifinal at 45 kg, 2018 European champion Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) will do battle with European bronze medalist Ilias IANDAROV (RUS).

On the top side of the 51 kg bracket, 2018 Cadet continental bronze medalists will go head-to-head as it will feature Asian bronze winner Lazizkhon UZBEKOV (UZB) and European bronze medalist Robert KARAPETYAN (ARM).

On the bottom side, Baktiiar AKBERDIEV (KGZ) will face the other Asian bronze medalist from this year, Laishram MEITEI (IND).

Asian silver medalist Shahin BADAGHI MOFRAD (IRI) moved onto the 60 kg semifinals, where he will face Pravesh PRAVESH (IND).

Opposite of them will be 2017 Balkan champion Serhat KIRIK (TUR) taking on 2018 European bronze medalist Gagik SNJOYAN (FRA).

Highlighting the semifinals at 71 kg is Asian champion Shu YAMADA (JPN). Tonight, Yamada will go against Petar GORNYASHKI (BUL), who took 17th at this year’s European Championships.

Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) and Abdullah ATES (TUR) will go at it at 71 kg. Gutu won a European silver medal earlier this year, while Ates collected a bronze at the same event.

At 92 kg, Asian champion Mohammed NOSRATI (IRI) advanced to tonight’s semifinals and will take on Lasha TVILDIANI (GEO).

The other bout will pit Aleksei MILESHIN (RUS) against 2018 European bronze medalist Richard KARELSON (EST).

Mileshin has already knocked off one European bronze medalist, Davyd SAMSONOV (UKR), who won bronze at continentals in 2017.

The semifinals are set for Saturday evening at 11:30 a.m. ET live on unitedworldwrestling.org.

Semifinals pairings

45 kg
Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) vs. Ilias IANDAROV (RUS)
Hennadii ZAVERTAILO (UKR) vs. Gurban GURBANOV (AZE)

51 kg
Lazizkhon UZBEKOV (UZB) vs. Robert KARAPETYAN (ARM)
Baktiiar Akberdiev (KGZ) vs. Laishram MEITEI (IND)

60 kg
Pravesh PRAVESH (IND) vs. Shahin BADAGHI MOFRAD (IRI)
Serhat KIRIK (TUR) vs. Gagik SNJOYAN (FRA)

71 kg
Shu YAMADA (JPN) vs. Petar GORNYASHKI (BUL)
Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) vs. Abdullah ATES (TUR)

92 kg
Aleksei MILESHIN (RUS) vs. Richard KARELSON (EST)
Lasha TVILDIANI (GEO) vs. Mohammed NOSRATI (IRI)

 

#development

Saudi Arabia Organises Level 1 Coaching Course

By United World Wrestling Press

DAMMAM, Saudi Arabia (June 28) -- A United World Wrestling Level 1 Regional Coaches Course was successfully conducted at Al-Ettifaq Club in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, from May 16 to 20, 2026.

Organized by the Saudi Wrestling Federation, the five-day program brought together 36 participants, including 33 men and 3 women, representing Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

The course was delivered in a positive and collaborative atmosphere, with participants developing their coaching knowledge. Both theoretical and practical sessions were held using two wrestling mats, ensuring a balanced learning experience that combined classroom instruction with hands-on practice.

Moustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY)Former U20 world champion Moustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY), centre, at the course in Dammam. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

A notable participant was former U20 world champion in Greco-Roman Mustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY), whose participation added significant value to the course by sharing elite-level experience and inspiring fellow coaches. Several participants demonstrated exceptional potential and were identified as promising future coaches for Saudi Arabia and the wider Arab region.

The topics covered were self-reflection, risk management and safety with focus on coaching skills, teaching techniques, practice planning, anti-doping awareness, and the basic rules of wrestling. These subjects were designed to equip participants with the knowledge and practical skills required to support athlete development and promote safe, effective coaching practices.