#Trnava2018

India Inserts Trio into #Trnava2018 Greco-Roman Semifinals

By Eric Olanowski

TRNAVA, Slovakia (September 17) – The biggest surprise of the opening round at the #Trnava2018 2018 Junior World Championships was India inserting three wrestlers into tonight’s Greco-Roman semifinals. 

Led by last year’s Tampere bronze medalist Sajan SAJAN (IND), along with Vijay VIJAY (IND) and Sagar SAGAR (IND), India wrap up the first session that saw seven wins and only two defeats. 

Sajan, one of four returning 74kg Junior World medalists, will compete against Dmytro GARDUBEI (UKR) in the 77kg semifinals. The winner of that bout will have the opportunity to wrestle against the winner of reigning world champion Kamal BEY (USA) and Russia’s Islam OPIEV for the gold medal. 


Kamal BEY (USA), reigning World champion looks for a life in the opening round of the 2018 Junior World Championships. (Photo by Max Rose-Fyne) 

Bey, arguably the most electrifying Junior wrestler in the world, made the semifinals with an opening round technical superiority victory that was followed by two falls. 

Opiev, one of three Russians to make the semifinals stunned the Trnava crowd, upsetting reigning World runner-up Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ), 1-1 in the 77kg quarterfinals. Opiev’s win stopped the potential 74kg rematch of last year’s Tampere World Championships between Bey and Makhmudov, a match that United World Wrestling voted as the No. 2 Greco-Roman match of the year. 

Iran became the third nation to insert three wrestlers into semifinals with quarterfinal wins from Pouya NASERPOUR (IRI) (55kg), Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) (130kg), and Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) (87kg). 

Semifinal action will resume tonight at 18:00. 

SEMIFINALS 
55kg
Nurtazin KERIMBERDI UULU (KGZ) vs. Pouya NASERPOUR (IRI) 
Vijay VIJAY (IND) vs. Tigran MINASYAN (ARM)

63kg
Azamat KAIROV (RUS) vs. Erbol BAKIROV (KGZ) 
Sagar SAGAR (IND) vs. Hassan Hassan MOHAMED (EGY)

77kg
Kamal Ameer BEY (USA) vs. Islam OPIEV (RUS) 
Dmytro GARDUBEI (UKR) vs. Sajan SAJAN (IND)

87kg 
Ilia ERMOLENKO (RUS) vs. Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) 
Nazarshah FATULLAYEV (AZE) vs. Ramon Rainer BETSCHART (SUI)

130kg 
Cohlton Michael SCHULTZ (USA) vs. David OVASAPYAN (ARM)
Beka MAKARIDZE (GEO) vs. Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI)

#Anti-Doping

Iraq conducts anti-doping education program

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (August 16) -- At the request of the United World Wrestling, the Iraqi Wrestling Federation held a four-day anti-doping education program from August 11 to 14, 2022.

The seminar was conducted in collaboration with the Iraqi Anti-Doping Agency.

Dozens of wrestlers, across various age groups, along with coaches and athletes’ support staff attended the sessions, where they were educated about their obligations and rights as per the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code.

Several subjects were discussed during the sessions. The wrestlers, their coaches and support staff were made aware of the WADA’s list of prohibited substances, effective as of January 1, 2022. The prohibited list may include any substance or methods that satisfy any two of the following three criteria: if it enhances an athlete’s sporting performance; if it is an actual or potential health risk to the athlete; or if it violates the spirit of sport, as defined by the WADA Code.

The wrestlers were also educated about the consequences of doping, the testing protocols, the risks associated with nutritional supplements and therapeutic use exemptions.

Mr Shaalan Al Tamimi, the president of the Iraqi Wrestling Federation, said: “I am very satisfied with this project and we will continue this close collaboration on education with the anti-doping organization in Iraq to combat harmful conduct for our sports community.”

The four-day anti-doping program was in continuation of UWW’s quest for clean sport and an effective anti-doping education is a crucial part of it. In partnership with the WADA and the International Testing Agency, the UWW is determined to fight against doping in Wrestling (Olympic and Associated Styles) and works closely with National Wrestling Federations, National Anti-doping Agencies and National Olympic Committees.

Education is the key to preventing doping, which should be the primary objective. The UWW's anti-doping education initiative offers a comprehensive program for all stakeholders, particularly young wrestlers. National Federations, too, have a crucial role to play in educating their wrestlers. UWW encourages and supports any program they wish to set up in partnership with their National Anti-doping Agency.