#kaspeuro2018

Lalovic Visits Kapiisk, Home of the 2018 Euro C'Ships

Monday, March 5, 2018 - 15:19 By Artyom Pozdeyev

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KAPIISK, Russia (March 3) – United World Wrestling president Nenad LALOVIC has examined the readiness of Kaspiisk City as it prepares to host the 2018 Senior European Championships from April 30th to May 6th.

The visit started from a wreath laying ceremony to the monument of five-time world champion, Ali Aliev and an inspection of the Sport Palace bearing his name. 

“An Ali Aliev statue is also on display in the UWW headquarters and respect for the wrestling traditions of Dagestan was one of the factors to choose Kaspiisk City as the place to organization of European Championships,” said United World Wrestling president Nenad Lalovic. “The Palace of Sport meets all requirements and it is ready already to host the tournament. There are are also and plans to create a fun zone with a big screen.”

Lalovic also visited hotels, reviewed transport logistics and looked through an assortment of regulatory issues.

“The main outcome of the visit to Dagestan is confidence that the European Championships will be organized on a high level. I am under the impression that all Republic is involved in the preparation,” said Vladimir Vasiliev, head of Dagestan's Organizing Committee on organization of European Championships.  

“Wrestling is the pride of Dagestan. As the story goes there is no such place in the world where one can find so many broken ears on one square meter.  Me are thankful for the confidence and we’ll definitely meet the expectations given by the United World Wrestling,” said Vsilev.

The inspection visit was also attended by Mr. Tzeno Tzenov, UWW-Europe President, Mr. Mikhail Mamiashvili, Wrestling Federation of Russia President, UWW Vice-President and Mr. Georgy Bryusov, UWW-Europe Executive Committee member. 

The decision to organize the European Championships in Kaspiisk City was taken at the UWW Bureau meeting during the World Championships in Paris in August 2017. The championships will be the largest event ever hosted in Dagestan, with the most recent Russian tournaments being the 2010 World Championships and 2006 European Championships held in Moscow.

#WrestleTirana

Sadulaev shuts down Taylor in World Championships showdown

Wednesday, October 30, 2024 - 11:59 By Vinay Siwach

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TIRANA, Albania (October 30) -- Two-time world champion at 92kg Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) would have expected his return to the World Championships to make all the noise in Tirana. After all, it had been two years since he last competed at the World Championships.

Enter Abdulrashid SADULAEV (AIN) and David TAYLOR (USA). The former, who last won the world title in 2021, was not able to compete at the Paris Olympics and was injured during the semifinal of the 2023 World Championships.

Taylor, world champion in 2023, missed the Paris Olympics after losing the trials in the United States, announced his retirement and took a coaching job. He came out of retirement and decided to compete at the World Championships and retire.

Both are not 92kg wrestlers. Sadulaev has been a true 97kg for eight years now. Taylor is competing at this weight for the first time after dominating 86kg for years. But the two were pitted against each other in the opening round of the World Championships in Tirana at 92kg.

The small Feti Borova Sports Hall in Tirana did not have space to sit. So where one could, they stood to watch the two wrestle. Saudulaev in a singlet not meant for his 92kg body. Taylor, in his customary elbow on the thigh and waiting for his opponent.

No one knew what was going to happen. Sadulaev was reducing weight, and Taylor was gaining. How would the two match up? It was this lack that prompted the fans to cheer for both. But after the first period, the picture became much clearer. Sadulaev shut down Taylor's offense and came out of the pressure bout 7-0.

After the initial collar ties, Taylor went for the offense. He got on Sadulaev's leg and tried the lift but Sadulaev was swift to get out of the hold. Taylor continued his attack. That's the only way he knows wrestling. Taylor took another offensive shot and Sadulaev, with lessons from the previous attack, pressured forward to neutralize the attack and scored a go-behind for two. Sadulaev resorted to heavy snapdowns and Taylor wasn't able to defend the second one. Within two minutes, Sadulaev was up 4-0.

The speed and power was Sadulaev was impressively superior to that of Taylor who decided to change a little in the second period. He went for the far leg of Sadulaev. But Sadulaev was quick and spun behind Taylor and scored a takedown with less than two minutes left.

By this time, Ghasempour had finished his bout on the other mat. He defeated Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) 6-0 in a rather slow bout.

Sadulaev now had to defend his 5-0 lead. Taylor continued his aggressive approach and got on Sadulaev's right leg. What he did not expect was the quick counter from Sadulaev who pushed Taylor and scored an exposure for two. It was evident that Taylor could not match Sadulaev.

David TAYLOR (USA)David TAYLOR (USA) in the warm-up hall after his bout against Abdulrashid SADULAEV (AIN) at 92kg in Tirana. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

"I did not score on the two times I shot and he did," Taylor said after the bout. "That was the difference. I needed to score on those two occasions."

Taylor and Sadulaev went to the warm-up hall but the former sat for more than 45 minutes in silence. He finally broke his silence and talked to the United States coaches after his leg attacks. After spending 30 more minutes gathering his thoughts, Taylor packed his bags and left.

On the training mats, Ghasempour and Sadulaev jogged before cooling down after their bouts. If both continue to win, they are expected to meet in the semifinals.

The match will be rather important for Taylor as well. He will hope for a Sadulaev win which will give him the chance to wrestle for the bronze medal.

"I expect him to make the finals and come back tomorrow," Taylor said. "I need to wrestle better that is my focus for now."

If he does wrestle Thursday, fans will only be treated to another blockbuster. A Ghasemoour-Taylor bout. The only downside will be that one will go home empty-handed.