#WrestleBelgrade

Live Blog, U23 World Championships Day 6: FS 61kg, 74kg, 86kg, 92kg, 125kg

Saturday, November 6, 2021 - 09:30 By United World Wrestling Press

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BELGRADE, Serbia (November 6) -- The penultimate day of the U23 World Championships is here. The final five weigh classes of freestyle will be in action at the Belexpocentar. Later in the day, we will have the five freestyle finals.

MATCH ORDER | WATCH LIVE

1540: Artur CHEBODAEV (RUS) never looked in trouble as he makes his way to the semifinals after a 7-0 win over Christopher CANNON (USA). He will face Narankhuu NARMANDAKH (MGL) in the semins. Narmandakh defeated Arman ELOYAN (FRA) in the semifinal.

1500: At 92kg, junior world championAmirhossein FIROUZPOURBANDPEI (IRI) looks unstoppable. He beats Bekzat URKIMBAY (KAZ) 11-0. U23 European champion Erhan YAYLACI (TUR) also moves into semis with a 12-4 win over Arkadzi PAHASIAN (BLR).

1440: Sajjad GHOLAMI (IRI) with another win for Iran. The 86kg wrestler in now into the semifinal after beating Mher MARKOSYAN (ARM) 5-0 and on Mat A, Zagid KARIMOV has two cautions against him but he wins 7-3 against Sandeep Singh MANN (IND).

1415: Mohmmadsadegh FIROUZPOURBANDPEI (IRI) keeps the winning ways for Iran. He beats Praveen MALIK (IND) 12-2. On Mat B, Arsen HARATYUNYAN (ARM) moves on to the quarterfinals with a 6-0 win

1345: Valiev scored a stepout, added a takedown and in the same action he gets a roll to lead 5-0. Bayramov cuts it to 5-2 with a takedown and then tries to score to pushouts but Valiev is quick to not go out in standing and refs call it neutral. Bayramov fails to get the takedown. Valiev will move into the quarterfinals after the 8-3 win

1330: Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) and Cherman VALIEV (RUS) are making their way for their 1/8 final on Mat C

1300: Junior world champion Amirhossein FIROUZPOURBANDPEI (IRI) looks good in Belgrade. He starts with a first-period 10-0 win over Kolyo DIMITROV (BUL) at 92kg

1240: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) starts with a controlled win over Gamzatgadzhi KHALIDOV (HUN). He was looking for the pin but the time ran out in the first period. He comes back to win 11-1

1230: Christopher CANNON bringing the fire on Mat A! He fends off attacks from Suraj KOKATE (IND) and then adds leg lace and a carry for four to win 10-0

1200: Cherman VALIEV (RUS), one of the favorites to win here, starts with an easy 11-0 win over  Tino RETTINGER (GER) and moves to the 1/8th against Bayramov

1140: Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) is wrestling at his sixth international tournament this year. He takes his time but scores an easy 6-0 win over Vadym KURYLENKO (UKR)

1130: Do we have a new Geno PETRIASHVILI? Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO) uses his express speed to win his opening bout Yurii IDZINSKYI (UKR) 

1115: Canada's Hunter LEE gave up two points but Demur MEGENEISHVILI (GEO) cannot answer Lee's other attacks. The Canadian wins 13-2

1100: Emre CIFTCI (TUR) begins with a 10-0 hammering of Benjamin GREIL (AUT) to get going at 86kg. A couple of forfeits here at 86kg

1030: Welcome to yet another day of wrestling action at the U23 World Championships. Freestyle action continues as we have five more weight classes going on the mat. Big session coming up

#development

Road to Dakar 2026 Continues with Successful Central Africa Programme in Brazzaville

Monday, June 22, 2026 - 08:50 By United World Wrestling Press

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BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of Congo (June 21) -- The second stop of the United World Wrestling (UWW) Africa Regional Educational Development Programme, Road to Dakar 2026, concluded successfully in Brazzaville after a week combining athlete preparation, education, technical development and competition in Olympic and Beach Wrestling.

Held from June 8 to 14 in the Republic of Congo, the Central Africa phase brought together National Olympic Committees and National Federations from across the region under a unified objective: strengthening wrestling ecosystems and creating more accessible pathways toward the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026.

As the second of four regional tournaments scheduled within the continental Road to Dakar programme, the event represented another important milestone on the road to the first Olympic event to be hosted on African soil.

Africa REDT

The UWW Africa Regional Educational Development Programme was designed as a comprehensive and sustainable model that extends beyond competition. The initiative combines athlete development camps, coach and referee education, and practical competition opportunities.

By decentralising activities across regions and consolidating training and competition into one structure, the programme aims to reduce financial barriers for national federations and increase opportunities for athletes and technical officials.

Throughout the week, athletes participated in intensive daily training sessions, as coaches attended the UWW Technical Course - Level 2, focused on improving technical knowledge, athlete development methodologies and long-term performance planning.

Africa REDT

Simultaneously, referees took part in dedicated education sessions covering Beach Wrestling and introductory officiating pathways, preparing them for selection to undertake the International Category III referee examination in the future.

The programme concluded with the Regional Tournament, followed by the Beach Wrestling Regional Tournament, giving participants the opportunity to apply lessons learned during the educational phase directly into competition conditions.

The programme specifically prioritised youth development, with participating athletes largely drawn from the U17 age group and encouraging the involvement of emerging coaches across Central Africa. Support mechanisms jointly delivered by UWW and Olympic Solidarity helped facilitate participation through travel, accommodation, training access and tournament organisation.

Africa REDT

More than just a standalone event, Brazzaville demonstrated the long-term vision behind Road to Dakar 2026 by building stronger national structures, expanding participation and creating sustainable development opportunities well before the final qualification stages for the Youth Olympic Games.