#WrestleOlegKaravaev

Kus and Sasunouski to Square off Saturday Night in Top-Four Matchup

By Eric Olanowski

MINSK, Belarus (July 26) --- Top-ranked Emrah KUS (TUR) capped off the opening day of wrestling at the Oleg Karavaev with a trio of wins and will square off with fourth-ranked Viktar SASUNOUSKI (BLR) in the 82kg finals. 

Kus kick-started his day with a 6-2 win over Marad HUSEINAU (BLR), then followed that up with an 8-0 routing of Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) to set up a semifinals match with Bilan NALGIEV (UZB). The Uzbek had a 1-0 lead over the reigning world runner-up but an inactivity point and a front head pinch earned Kus the 3-1 victory. 

He’ll meet Belarus’ fourth-ranked Viktar Sasunouski for the gold medal. The Belarusian trailed 3-1 late into the second period but slipped his way into a side head lock -- picking up four points and the 5-3 lead. He later tacked on two additional points for a correct throw and won, 7-3. 

Meanwhile, Shinobu OTA (JPN) fell behind 8-3 in his 63kg semifinal bout against Mirambek AINAGULOV (KAZ) but scored six unanswered points and locked up his spot in the Oleg Karavaev finals with the 9-8 come-from-behind victory. 

Ota, the Rio Olympic runner-up, will see Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) in the gold-medal bout. 

Bakhramov, the 15th-ranked wrestler in the world down at 55kg, bumped up to 60kg and knocked off reigning world bronze medalist WALIHAN Sailike (CHN), 3-3 after trailing by three points heading into the closing three minutes. 

RESULTS

63kg 
GOLD - Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) vs. Shinobu OTA (JPN)
SEMIFINAL - Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) df. Sailike WALIHAN (CHN), 3-3  
SEMIFINAL - Shinobu OTA (JPN) df. Mirambek AINAGULOV (KAZ), 9-8

72kg
GOLD - Magomed YARBILOV (RUS) vs. Narek OGANIAN (RUS)
SEMIFINAL - Narek OGANIAN (RUS) df. Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ), 5-2 
SEMIFINAL - Magomed YARBILOV (RUS) df. Uladzislau MANKEVICH (BLR), 8-0 

82g
GOLD - Emrah KUS (TUR) vs. Viktar SASUNOUSKI (BLR)
SEMIFINAL - Emrah KUS (TUR) df. Bilan NALGIEV (UZB), 3-1  
SEMIFINAL - Viktar SASUNOUSKI (BLR) df. Milad ALIRZAEV (RUS), 7-3

97kg 
GOLD - Siarhei STARADUB (BLR) vs. Suleyman DEMIRCI (TUR)
SEMIFINAL - Siarhei STARADUB (BLR) df. Yerulan ISKAKOV (KAZ), 4-0 
SEMIFINAL - Suleyman DEMIRCI (TUR) df. Fatih BASKOY (TUR), 2-1 

#UnitedWorldWrestling

Lalovic attends WADA Conference, completes development visits in Asia

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (December 8) -- United World Wrestling President Nenad LALOVIC, who serves on the WADA Executive Committee as an IOC representative, attended the 2025 WADA World Conference held from December 1 to 5 in Busan, Korea.

The conference brought together the global anti-doping community for high-level discussions on the World Anti-Doping Program, with a key focus on approving the 2027 World Anti-Doping Code and International Standards. The revision process, launched in September 2023, has allowed stakeholders to contribute to strengthening and modernizing the global anti-doping system.

Nenad LALOVIC

Development visits

President Lalovic also completed wrestling-related visits to China, Korea, and Kyrgyzstan, reinforcing UWW’s commitment to supporting National Federations and expanding the sport across the region.

In each country, Lalovic emphasized UWW’s ongoing efforts to deepen cooperation with National Federations, increase engagement, and grow wrestling at the elite and grassroots levels. He encouraged federations to integrate wrestling programs into schools, offering more opportunities for young athletes to enter the sport.

Nenad LALOVIC

A key area of discussion was UWW’s development strategy leading into the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle, including updates on Olympic qualification, the Pro Series, and opportunities available to National Federations.

In China, meetings were held with Vice Minister of General Administration of Sport of China Lixin TONG and Vice President of National Olympic Committee of China Jinqiang ZHOU.

UWW also recently announced the addition of Raul TRUJILLO DIAZ, longtime coach of Olympic champion Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) and recipient of the 2025 IOC Coaches Lifetime Achievement Award, to support global development of Greco-Roman. Lalovic highlighted that such initiatives strengthen the sport and promote valuable exchanges of expertise among federations and coaches.

MoU

MoU signed in Kyrgyzstan

During the visit to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan inaugurated a new wrestling arena and academy, marking a significant step forward in its cooperation with UWW.

A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between UWW and Izabekov Wrestling Academy to expand development programs and training opportunities in the country.

Accompanied by UWW Asia President Mohammad Al-AWAMLEH and Secretary General Carlos ROY, Lalovic met with representatives of the Kyrgyzstan federation to discuss regional initiatives and long-term development plans.

On December 6, Lalovic was received by Sadyr JAPAROV, President of the Kyrgyz Republic, to whom he presented the UWW medal in recognition of his support for wrestling.