Youth OIympic Games

Iran Wins Pair, Japan's Sasaki Registers Incredible Comeback

Friday, October 12, 2018 - 23:00 By Tim Foley

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BUENOS AIRES (October 12) – Iran notched their first two gold medals of the 2018 Youth Olympic Games Friday night at the Asian Pavilion at Youth Olympic Park in Buenos Aires, while Japan’s Wataru SASAKI lodged one of the most impressive Olympic comebacks in years.

Facing Giorgi TOKHADZE (GEO) in the 51kg finals Sasaki was put on the backfoot from the start, being tossed for five points early in the first period. Another takedown made the score 7-0 to end the first period, but in the second period it was all Sasaki.

Waturu SASAKI lands a four-point throw to overtake Giorgi TOKHADZE (GEO) in the finals of the 51kg weight category (Photo: Max Rose-Fyne)

The slenderer wrestler weaved behind Tokhadze for a quick takedown followed by a gut wrench to score four points. Next Sasaki locked up a front head lock and through the Georgian to four points to take the lead 8-0 – much to the delight of the Argentinian crowd. Sasaki would tack on another takedown and a lost challenge by the Georgian made the final score 11,-7 in favor of Sasaki.

For the often-dominant Iranian team it was business as usual. Amirreza DEHBOZORGI (45kg) was unstoppable against Jeremy PERALTA GONZALEZ (ECU), pressuring the South American wrestler into a series of missteps and racking up a pair of takedowns. After Dehbozorgi found his second takedown, he followed it up with a step out point to win gold, 8-0

Mohammad NOSRATI (IRI) celebrates his 92kg gold medal after defeating Osman AYAYDIN (TUR), 3-1 (Photo: Max Rose-Fyne)

Mohammad NOSRATI (92kg) imposed his size on Turkey’s Osman AYAYDIN, controlling the mat for four minutes to win the final title of the evening, 3-1. The big man was jubilant after the match, speaking to reporters and interacting with fans.

“This was a great event for me,” said Nosrati. “I have to thank my fans and the people of Iran for their support during the Games.”

Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) celebrates after defeating Elmirbek SADYROV (KGZ), 9-0 (Photo: Max Rose-Fyne)

Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) at 60kg and Alexandrin GUTU (MDA)at 71kg each won gold via technical superiority. Gutu out-muscled Stepan STARODUBTSEV (RUS), 8-0 while Chkhikvadze racked up four takedowns on route to a 9-0 victory.

Women’s Wrestling begins Saturday at 10am local/9am ET, with finals at 5pm local/4pm ET. 

Greco-Roman, 45kg
GOLD: Amirreza DEHBOZORGI (IRI) df. Jeremy Renzo PERALTA GONZALEZ (ECU), 8-0
BRONZE: Edmond Armen NAZARYAN (BUL) v. Arslanbek ZAKIRBAYEV (TKM), 8-0
FIFTH: Abdalla M. SHAABAN (EGY) df. Densel Jaffet DE JESUS VALERIO (HON), 12-1

Greco-Roman, 51kg
GOLD: Wataru SASAKI (JPN) df. Giorgi TOKHADZE (GEO), 11-7
BRONZE: Axel Andre SALAS ESQUIVEL (MEX) df. Eduardo LOVERA (ARG), 5-3
FIFTH: Mehdi JOUINI (TUN) df. Alexander ADINIWIN (MHL), via FALL

Greco-Roman, 60kg
GOLD: Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) df. Elmirbek SADYROV (KGZ), 9-0
BRONZE: Sahak HOVHANNISYAN (ARM) df. Miguel Angel UGALDE AGUILAR (MEX), 9-0
FIFTH: Ahmed Abdelhakim MERIKHI (ALG) df. Arapo Ngatuerua George KELLNER (NZL), 10-2

Greco-Roman, 71kg
GOLD: Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) df. Stepan STARODUBTSEV (RUS), 8-0
BRONZE: Shu YAMADA (JPN) df. Lamjed MAAFI (TUN), 4-0
FIFTH: Brandon CALLE PEREZ (COL) df. Lynch Xavier Tanglao SANTOS (GUM), 14-6

Greco-Roman, 92kg
GOLD: Mohammad Ghorbanali NOSRATI (IRI) df. Osman AYAYDIN (TUR), 3-1
BRONZE: Mukhammad EVLOEV (RUS) df. Shady Elkhalil Ibrahim A. WEHIB (EGY), 11-2
FIFTH: Igor Fernando ALVES DE QUEIROZ (BRA) df. Ariston Faamalosi BARTLEY (ASA), 10-0

#development

ASDEC Chair Niamkey Leads Workshop on Sports Development

Monday, May 11, 2026 - 07:14 By United World Wrestling Press

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LAUSANNE, Switzerland (May 9) -- Collaboration, innovation and open exchange was at the heart of a two-day workshop, organised by the ASOIF Sport Development and Education Commission (ASDEC) on May 5 and 6 in Lausanne, Switzerland. The meeting brought together more than 60 participants from 30 International Federations (IFs) for two days of peer exchange and practical discussion on key issues shaping the future of sport development.

Held in a collaborative and informal setting, the workshop focused on topics including coach development, officiating, National Federation support, and the evolving delivery of sport development programme.

During the workshop, Olympic Solidarity hosted roundtable discussions giving participants an opportunity to exchange feedback, ideas and perspectives on existing programmes and future collaboration opportunities.

Participant feedback strongly highlighted the value of the workshop as a trusted environment for open discussion, practical learning and networking across International Federations. Many participants - particularly first-time attendees, but also experienced delegates who had attended numerous workshops - emphasised the importance of having a collaborative and non-political space in which to share challenges, ideas and experiences openly.

ASDEC Chair Deqa NIAMKEY, Development Director at United World Wrestling, highlighted after the workshop:

"The ASDEC Workshop 2026 was a great success, offering International Federations a wide range of relevant topics, including updates on the current trends and landscape of sports business industry, participation programmes, and strategies for entering new markets," Niamkey said.

"The workshop also fostered meaningful discussions with key partners focused on the development and growth of our sports. It continues to serve as an important platform for networking, exchanging ideas, sharing best practices, and transferring knowledge, all in line with ASOIF’s broader good governance strategy."

The workshop concept is fully aligned with the third strategic pillar of the ASOIF Strategy 2026–2032, which focuses, among other priorities, on developing and modernising platforms for shared learning and adding value by addressing member priorities and sector developments.

Read More: From AI to Officiating, ASOIF Workshop Explores Future of Sport Development