World Championships

Japan, U.S. Derail Russian Rout in Cadet World Championships Freestyle

Sunday, August 30, 2015 - 21:49 By William May

Share this article

SARAJEVO (August 30) – Japan and the United States came up with three stunning wins to derail Russia’s plans for a rout on the final day freestyle events at the Cadet Wrestling World Championships.

Gable STEVESON (USA), Jarod VERKLEREEN (USA) and Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) scored the only wins against Russian opponents at Sports Hall Amel Beckovic on Sunday, and all three led to gold medals for the victors.

The U.S., meanwhile, rallied Sunday with titles from Steveson (100kg) and Verklereen (63kg) and a bronze medal from Daton FIX (54kg) for 55 points and third place.

 

The U.S., meanwhile, rallied Sunday with titles from Steveson (100kg) and Verklereen (63kg) and a bronze medal from Daton FIX (54kg) for 55 points and third place.

With the Russian juggernaut rampaging through the morning session, Steveson ambushed them with a 10-5 win over Soslan KHINCHAGOV (RUS) in the semifinals at 100kg to cap the morning session.

Steveson went on to forge a 9-0 victory over Khasanboy RAKHIMOV (UZB) in the championship finale, assigning his opponent to a silver medal along with twin brother, Khusanboy RAKHIMOV (UZB). Khusanboy won the silver medal at 85kg on Saturday night.

Sunday evening’s medal matches began with Aleksey KOPYLOV (RUS) rolling up a gold medal with three gut wrenches for a 10-0 technical fall over European bronze medal winner Georgios PILIDIS (GRE) in the 46kg final.

Former world bronze medalist Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) created some drama in the 54kg final when he raced out to an apparent, 13-2, technical fall win over Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (RUS). A challenge from the Russian corner, however, adjusted the score to 9-2 as the wrestlers headed into the second period.

“My coaches told me not to worry about it and keep scoring points when I had the chance,” Otoguro said after cobbling together a 13-6 win over an increasingly agitated opponent. “The cheering of my teammates and the people in the arena really raised my spirits.”

Otoguro explained that “A year ago, I tried to protect a lead by being defensive.  So this year I knew I needed to continue scoring points.”

Verklereen followed suit in the 63kg final, securing a cross-ankle lock and converting it to an 11-0 win at 2:51 over Khayrullah NURADINOV (RUS).

Aslanbek GVARAMIA (RUS) secured a second win for Russia, wrapping up his victory over European bronze medalist Ivan STEFANOV (BUL) at 76kg with a takedown to gut wrench for a 10-0 technical fall.

Freestyle

46kg (26 entries)
Gold – Aleksei KOPYLOV (RUS) df. Georgios PILIDIS (GRE) by TF, 10-0, 1:21 
Bronze – Monu MONU (IND) df. Dzmitry YARMOLCHYK (BLR) by TF, 11-0, 3:02 
Bronze – Amir PARASTEH (IRI) df. Dylan DEMILIO (USA) by TF, 15-4, 2:54

54kg (25 entries)
Gold – Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) df. Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (RUS), 13-6
Bronze – Gevorg ABRAMIAN (UKR) by Hamed SIAYHDOOLAN (IRI) by Fall, 2:38
Bronze – Daton FIX (USA) df. Abbas RAKHMONOV (UZB) by TF, 17-2, 3:34

63kg (24 entries)
Gold – Jarod VERKLEREEN (USA) df. Khayrulla NURADINOV (RUS) by TF, 11-0, 2:51 
Bronze – Ahmed MEDHIZADEHMARZAN (IRI) df. Vasili DIACONU (MDA), 11-6 
Bronze – Orkhan ABBASOV (AZE) df. Rui SAKASAI (JPN), 6-2

76kg (26 entries)
Gold – Aslanbek GVARAMIA (RUS) df. Ivan STEFANOV (BUL) by TF, 10-0, 2:25 
Bronze – Arkadzi PAHASIAN (BLR) df. Gabriele DORO (ITA) by TF, 10-0, 1:44
Bronze – Ahliman GULIYEV (AZE) df. Hamed MANAFIAN (IRI) by TF, 10-0, 2:20

100kg (21 entries)
Gold – Gable STEVESON (USA) df. Khasanboy RAKHIMOV (UZB), 9-0
Bronze – Yakup YERLIKAYA (TUR) df. Hussain NASIR (IND) by TF, 12-2, 3:07
Bronze – Soslan KHINCHAGOV (RUS) df. Zuriko URTASHVILI (GEO), 10-2

#development

UWW Donates Mats to Mauritius for Regional Development Project

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 - 11:57 By United World Wrestling Press

Share this article

MAURITUS (April 27) -- United World Wrestling has donated wrestling mats to the Mauritius National Wrestling and Allied Games Association. The mats were provided through UWW’s partner and sponsor, Taishan Sports, in support of the Olympic Solidarity/ UWW Regional Development Program.

The mats will be used as part of the OS/UWW regional program, which aims to strengthen wrestling development in Mauritius and create a lasting impact across the East Africa region. By improving access to quality training facilities and equipment, the initiative seeks to support athletes, coaches, and youth participation while helping national federations raise standards across the region.

The regional program is scheduled to take place from October 9 to 18, 2026 and will combine athlete training camps, coaches’ education, referees’ courses, and a regional competition to conclude the activities. Olympic Solidarity will soon send invitations to all National Olympic Committees in East Africa to participate in the program.

The President of the Mauritius National Wrestling and Allied Games Association Joel ANTOINETTE highly appreciated the donation.

“We are incredibly grateful for the generous donation of these wrestling mats," Antoinette said. "This contribution is more than just equipment; it’s the foundation for a new era. We promise to honor this gift by working tirelessly to revolutionize the Wrestling sport, pushing boundaries, and elevating our athletes to heights."

Thanks to the support of the Mauritius National Olympic Committee, this is not the first time that the Mauritius National Wrestling Association has organized such educational events. Over the past years, they have successfully delivered several Olympic Solidarity/UWW development activities at both national and regional levels.

Mauritius has increased its presence on the international wrestling stage in recent years, with athletes competing more regularly at major events thanks to the continued support of the Mauritius National Olympic Committee and the Mauritius Wrestling federation. This progress reflects the growing ambition of the federation and the country’s commitment to advancing the sport.