#development

Lithuania organizes course to develop FS/WW coaches

By United World Wrestling Press

SIAULIAI, Lithuania  (November 21) – The Lithuanian Wrestling Federation, in partnership with the Lithuania Olympic Committee, are working to grow and develop Freestyle and Women Wrestling in their country.  After a long success in Greco-Roman, the LTU Federation wanted to begin to develop the other Olympic styles. As a result, they organized a Level 2 coaching course from 7-11 November 2022 with the emphasis of developing and training their current FS/WW coaches. This course was conducted in conjunction with Olympic Solidarity and United World Wrestling. 

The Level 2 Coaching course was conducted by Mr. Yusup ABDUSALAMOV (POL) – UWW Coach Educator and former Olympic silver medalist. The course had 25 participants (17 men and 8 women). “Here I saw educated, interested and very diligent coaches," said Mr. Abdusalamov. "They managed very well with all the tasks that were set before them and found unconventional, non-standard and creative approaches to solving them.”

The coach participants focused on many topics surrounding the idea of developing training sessions for wrestlers. Some of the topics included coaching the basic skills or wrestling, introduction to performance analysis, theoretical framework to planning, practice plan essentials, strength and conditioning, and nutrition and weight management. During the course, the coaches participated in practical assessments to demonstrate their knowledge.

"I have to say that we are very satisfied with how the course went. We had different expectations from the upcoming training, but we were all pleasantly surprised by the level of positivity in the learning, the number of creative tasks, the fullness of the practical sessions, the amount of imagination and thinking that this process required from us." said Sergejus Kasimovas (Head Coach of LTU National Freestyle Team). "It was a very useful and interesting experience for all of us. I am very grateful to our Wrestling Federation for organizing this course, and to UWW and the Olympic Solidarity Foundation for supporting and funding this event. We look forward to similar events in the future.”

LTHParticipants go through on-the-mat training during the course in Lithuania. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

“The seminar went exactly according to plan. It was very informative and useful for every coach and athlete. Theoretical knowledge was precisely applied in practice. Every lecture we learned new things about coaching and training planning," said Giedre Darge (WW Coach). "Trainers share their personal experiences with each other’s. Students in the course were involved in the discussions, as a result they could express their opinions. The lecturer was very competent and perfectly able to share his knowledge. A lot of attention was made to team building, which is very important for achieving a best result. Every participant after seminar were satisfied that they learned new things.” 

“I have to say that the course went very well with a high level of feedback, enthusiasm on both sides, great effort and commitment on the part of the participants." said Mr. Abdusalamov. "The organization of the course was at a good level. I would like to thank the board and staff of the Lithuanian Wrestling Federation, represented by President Giedrius Dambrauskas, and Siauliai Sports Gymnasium for the support in organizing the course."

2026 U23 European Championships

Magamedkhanov, Gaidarli Stop Russia Gold Sweep at U23 European Championships

By Vinay Siwach

ZRENJANIN, Serbia (March 9) -- Russia needed the calm of the Khaniev brothers to help it return to winning ways at the U23 European Championships after it suffered two shocking losses in the Freestyle finals on Tuesday.

After qualifying five finalists in as many weight classes on Monday, Russia expected to win all five gold medals, 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg and 97kg, on Tuesday.

It began well with Aiandai ONDAR (RUS) winning the first gold of the evening as he defeated former U20 European champion Vasif BAGHIROV (AZE), 7-3, in the final. He scored all his points in the second period after an actionless first period.

But panic spread in the Russian camp when Magomedkhan MAGAMEDKHANOV (BLR) pulled a rabbit out of the hat by pinning Dzhambulat KIZINOV (RUS) when the Russian was leading 8-0 in the 65kg final.

A few moments later U20 world silver medalist Alexandr GAIDARLI (MDA) downed defending champion Magomed ELTEMIROV (RUS), 3-2, in the 70kg final. He scored a stepout in the final 30 seconds to take a 2-2 criteria lead before a lost challenge from Russia added one more point to his score.

The Khaniev brothers -- Ismail KHANIEV (RUS) and Takhir KHANIEV (RUS) -- salvaged some lost pride for Russia by sweeping the 79kg and 97kg gold medals, respectively as Russia ended with three gold and two silver medals. It has three more wrestlers going for gold in Freestyle on Wednesday.

Magomedkhan MAGAMEDOV (BLR)Magomedkhan MAGAMEDOV (BLR) celebrates after winning the 65kg gold medal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Magamedkhanov, Gaidarli Win

The first shock came in the 65kg final when Magamedkhanov, down 8-0, had little chance of victory as Kizinov needed only two more points to finish the final.

However, Magamedkhanov shot deep and Kizinov answered with a chestwrap defense. But as he tried to roll over Magamedkhanov, Kizinov's back got planted on the mat and Magamedkhanov kept him in this position and the referee called the fall.

Kizinov was shell-shocked as he took time to realize that he was the losing wrestler. Russia threw a pointless challenge, though confirmed falls cannot be challenged unless a foul has been committed. Kizinov accepted his fate as Magamedkhanov's hand was raised.

Then came the 70kg final with returning champ Eltemirov a clear favorite over Gaidarli, a U23 world bronze medalist last year.

Eltemirov led 2-0 when he was hit with an activity clock and as he failed to score any points in that 30-second window, Gaidarli got his first point on the board.

With 36 seconds left in the bout, Gaidarli pushed Eltemirov out of the wrestling zone to earn another point and lead 2-2 on criteria of last point scored. Eltemirov tried various holds to score a point to lead and win but Gaidarli defended. Russia threw a helpless challenge only to see another point added to Gaidarli's score for losing it.

"This is my biggest victory [yet]," Gaidarli said. "You could even say it’s bigger than the World Championship in Bulgaria, because gold is still gold. I consider this my greatest achievement so far."

Gaidarli won a silver medal at the U20 World Championships in Samokov, Bulgaria last year. In a tense final against PJ DUKE (USA) at 70kg, the American defeated Gaidarli, 7-5.

"I would also like to wrestle Duke again and take revenge," he said. "I think we will meet again more than once."  

The sizable Moldovan crowd cheered as Gaidarli's hand was raised and they hung around to get photos with the U23 European champion from Moldova, only the second in the country's history in Freestyle.

Takhir KHANIEV (RUS)Khaniev brothers, Takhir and Ismail, pose with their gold medals. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Khaniev Brothers Turnaround

The scene turned from somber to cheerful when Khaniev secured an 11-0 victory over Sabuhi AMIRASLANOV (AZE) in the 79kg final.

He opened the scoring with a stepout before Amiraslanov was put on the activity clock. Amiraslanov failed to score in the designated 30 seconds which gave a point to Khaniev who also scored a stepout to lead 3-0 at the break. A takedown and two high gut-wrenches extended his lead to 9-0 before using a head outside single-leg attack to finish the bout 11-0 just before the clock was about to expire.

"I’m satisfied, but there were some mistakes on my part," Ismail Khaniev said. "I’m only partly satisfied with my wrestling itself. I could have wrestled better and executed more technical actions."

Having won the gold medal at the U23 European Championships last year as well, Khaniev was aware of the competition and did not put himself under undue pressure.

"I already had the experience, I felt confident on the mat, and there wasn’t much pressure," he said. "Our next goal is the Russian Championships. If I qualify there, then the next step would be the World Championships. Otherwise, I will compete for a spot at the U20 World Championships."

 

His elder brother Takhir was quicker as he defeated former U20 European champion Ivan PRYMACHENKO (UKR), 10-0, in three minutes and 25 seconds in the 97kg final.

Takhir, who defeated world champion Kyle SNYDER (USA) in Tirana, was called passive and on cue he scored a takedown and turn to lead 4-0. He extended his lead to 6-0 with another takedown and a little later, he locked Prymachenko from behind but could only score a stepout along with a point for the Ukrainian's fleeing. 

And 25 seconds into the second period, he finished the bout with an identical move as his brother, head outside single-leg, and score the match-winning takedown.

Photo

RESULTS

57kg
GOLD: Aiandai ONDAR (RUS) df. Vasif BAGHIROV (AZE), 7-3

BRONZE: Nikoloz BOTCHORISHVILI (GEO) df. Rassoul GALBOURAEV (FRA) 
BRONZE: Arman HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) df. Artsiom PAULIUCHENKA (BLR), 10-0

65kg
GOLD: Magomedkhan MAGAMEDKHANOV (BLR) df. Dzhambulat KIZINOV (RUS), via fall (3-8)

BRONZE: Musa AGHAYEV (AZE) df. Arman MUSIKYAN (ARM), 6-4
BRONZE: Viktor BOROHAN (UKR) df. Yusuf TUMER (TUR), 12-6

70kg
GOLD: Alexandr GAIDARLI (MDA) df. Magomed ELTEMIROV (RUS), 3-2

BRONZE: Davit MARGARYAN (ARM) df. Marcel WAGIN (GER), 5-2
BRONZE: Ramik HEYBATOV (AZE) df. Mykyta SARIIEV (UKR), 10-0

79kg
GOLD: Ismail KHANIEV (RUS) df. Sabuhi AMIRASLANOV (AZE), 11-0

BRONZE: Ibrahim YAPRAK (TUR) df. Mateusz PEDZICKI (POL), via inj. def.
BRONZE: Giorgi GOGRITCHIANI (GEO) df. Aliaksandr VIARBITSKI (BLR), 8-7

97kg
GOLD: Takhir KHANIEV (RUS) df. Ivan PRYMACHENKO (UKR), 10-0

BRONZE: Zafar ALIYEV (AZE) df. Emirhan KILIC (TUR), 19-9
BRONZE: Konstantine PETRIASHVILI (GEO) df. Nikolaos KARAVANOS (GRE), 4-0

Semifinals

61kg
GOLD: Levik MIKAYELYAN (ARM) vs. Jeyhun ALLAHVERDIYEV (AZE)

SF 1: Jeyhun ALLAHVERDIYEV (AZE) df. Besir ALILI (MKD), via inj. def. (12-5)
SF 2: Levik MIKAYELYAN (ARM) df. Tolga OZBEK (TUR), 10-3

74kg
GOLD: Manuel WAGIN (GER) vs. Seyfulla ITAEV (FRA)

SF 1: Manuel WAGIN (GER) df. Magomed BAITUKAEV (RUS), 7-1
SF 2: Seyfulla ITAEV (FRA) df. Aghanazar NOVRUZOV (AZE), 7-2

86kg
GOLD: Bozigit ISLAMGEREEV (RUS) vs. Ahmet YAGAN (TUR)

SF 1: Bozigit ISLAMGEREEV (RUS) df. Vasif KHUDIYEV (AZE), 3-2
SF 2: Ahmet YAGAN (TUR) df. Artur KOSTIUK (UKR), 4-2

92kg
GOLD: Fatih ALTUNBAS (TUR) vs. Ali TCOKAEV (AZE)

SF 1: Fatih ALTUNBAS (TUR) df. Krisztian ANGYAL (HUN), 6-2
SF 2: Ali TCOKAEV (AZE) df. Mustafagadzhi MALACHDIBIROV (RUS), 6-4

125kg
GOLD: Khabib DAVUDGADZHIEV (RUS) vs. Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE)

SF 1: Khabib DAVUDGADZHIEV (RUS) df. Aleksandre ABRAMISHVILI (GEO), 6-3
SF 2: Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE) df. Stsiapan MANDRYK (BLR), 3-2