#Grappling

Kazakhstan dominates Asian Grappling Championships

By Vinay Siwach

ASTANA, Kazakhstan (June 23) -- Host country Kazakhstan dominated the Asian Grappling Championships, securing the majority of the gold medals in the U15 and U17 age categories.

Kazakhstan is currently hosting the Asian Grappling Championships at the Beeline Arena in Astana, which commenced on April 21 and will conclude on April 24.

In the U15 category, the competition featured ten men's Grappling weight classes, with Kazakhstan claiming eight gold medals. Neighboring Kyrgyzstan secured the remaining two gold medals in the 35kg and 53kg divisions. This outstanding performance granted Kazakhstan the team title with 240 points, while Kyrgyzstan finished second with 82 points. India secured the third position with 65 points.

In the same U15 age category, but in Grappling Gi, Kazakhstan exhibited even greater dominance, winning nine gold medals, leaving Kyrgyzstan with only one. Kazakhstan's remarkable performance earned them 245 points, while Kyrgyzstan secured second place with 72 points. India claimed the third position with 60 points.

Moving on to the U17 Grappling competition, Kazakhstan achieved a clean sweep, securing all nine gold medals across all weight classes. Among the five participating countries, Kazakhstan claimed the top spot, with Kyrgyzstan in second place and India in third. The pattern remained consistent in the U17 men's Grappling Gi, with Kazakhstan once again securing all nine gold medals, and the team rankings reflecting the same order as in the Grappling category.

GrapplingGrappling was held in U15, U17 and Veteran categories on the first two days. (Photo: UWW / Assem Shalgumbayeva)

In the women's Grappling Gi competition at the U17 level, bouts were held in six weight classes, with Kazakhstan winning five gold medals. The remaining gold medal went to India.

Similarly, in the women's Grappling competition, India prevented Kazakhstan from achieving a complete sweep by securing one of the six gold medals on offer.

A Veteran's competition also took place and it saw a change in the gold medalists.

In Veteran A men's Grappling Gi category, Kyrgyzstan and Iran won gold medals in three weight classes. While two gold medals went to Kyrgyzstan, Iran won the gold medal at 84kg.

GrapplingGrappling in women's category saw participants from four countries. (Photo: UWW / Assem Shalgumbayeva)

In Veteran A men's Grappling category, Kyrgyzstan won two more gold medals while the third was won by Kazakhstan. In both Grappling and Grappling Gi, Kazakhstan managed only one gold, two silver and a bronze medal.

All the individual bout results and videos of the tournament can be found exclusively on UWW's Asian Grappling Championships page. 

#UnitedWorldWrestling

UWW President Lalovic elected ASOIF Vice-President

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (July 11) — United World Wrestling President Nenad LALOVIC has been elected as the Vice-President of Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF).

Lalovic, a member of the International Olympic Committee [IOC] since 2015, has been a member of Summer Olympic International Federation (IF) representative to the IOC Executive Board in 2022. He is also a member of the World Anti-Doping Agency Executive Committee.

“I am honored to be elected by my peers to the position of Vice President of ASOIF,” Lalovic said. “I take great pride in representing the Summer International Federations and in contributing to their future well-being. In an ever-evolving sporting landscape, it is essential that we strike the right balance between honoring tradition and embracing innovation. I look forward to working with all stakeholders to ensure that our federations continue to thrive and lead with purpose.”

Earlier in June, Lalovic was re-elected as Council member of ASOIF at its 49th General Assembly convened on June 11 in Lausanne, Switzerland.

“We had a very constructive meeting and I look forward to working closely with my Council colleagues to represent the interests of our member federations and help strengthen the Olympic Movement and sports at large. I’d also like to warmly congratulate Nenad Lalovic on his election as ASOIF Vice President, following his re-election as Council member during our recent General Assembly,” ASOIF President Ingmar DE VOS said.