#Anti-Doping

Muslimov Banned Following Anti-Doping Violation

Wednesday, November 4, 2020 - 14:40 By United World Wrestling Press

Share this article

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (November 4) -- Wrestler Murtuzali MUSLIMOV (AZE) has been suspended for an Anti-Doping Rule Violation. 

In accordance with Article 14.3 of the United World Wrestling Anti-Doping Rules (“UWW ADR”), the UWW hereby reports that the Athlete Mr Murtuzali MUSLIMOV (AZE) has committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation under Article 2.1 of the UWW ADR – Presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in an Athlete’s Sample. 

More precisely, a sample collected from the Athlete on 12 July 2019 during the Yasar Dogu has revealed the Presence of the prohibited substances drostanolone metabolite and oxandrolone metabolites, listed under S.1.1 Anabolic Androgenic Steroids of the 2019 and 2020 WADA Prohibited Lists. 

The Athlete has been sanctioned as follows: 

1. Mr Murtuzali MUSLIMOV has committed a violation of Article 2.1 of the UWW ADR;

2. Mr Murtuzali MUSLIMOV is suspended for a period of Ineligibility of 4 years;

3. The period of Ineligibility starts from the date of the sample collection (12 July 2019) and shall remain in full force and effect until 11 July 2023;

4. In accordance with Articles 9 and 10.8 of the UWW ADR, all the competitive results of the Athlete from 12 July 2019 until the imposition of the provisional suspension (22 August 2019) are disqualified with all the resulting consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.

#UWWAwards

UWW Breakout Wrestlers of 2025: Hidlay, Farokhi, Onishi

Monday, December 15, 2025 - 12:24 By Eric Olanowski

Share this article

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (December 14) -- The 2025 Breakout Wrestlers of the Year were not the ones anyone circled heading into the season. They weren’t the favorites, or the ones analysts picked to walk away from the season as world medalists.

They were the outsiders, largely unproven and underestimated. But that all changed in a single season when they smashed expectations, catapulting themselves into world-wide stardom with world-title runs that nobody saw coming.

Freestyle Breakout Performer of the Year: Trent HIDLAY (USA)

Before 2025, Hidlay had never climbed to the top of a podium at an international event. His  2025 season even began with more doubt than promise, dropping his second match of the year to rising Azeri phenom Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) at the Zagreb Open. But that loss lit a fuse. From that moment on, the 26-year-old didn’t just improve -- he transformed.

Hidlay unleashed a stunning 13-match win streak and collected gold medals at the Pan-American Championships, the Budapest Ranking Series and the World Championships. Along the way, he knocked off giants -- Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE), Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), and Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE), just to name a few.

Then came the finale: a world finals comeback for the ages. Down and all but finished, Hidlay stormed back to defeat Amanula GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (UWW). In one year, Hidlay didn’t just win -- he arrived.

Greco-Roman Breakout Performer of the Year: Gholemreza FAROKHI (IRI)

When opportunity knocked, Farokhi wasn’t just there to answer it, he was there to kick the door off its hinges. The 23-year-old stepped into Iran’s senior lineup for the first time in his career and tore through anyone in front of him -- whether it was at 82kg or 87kg.

Farokhi bulldozed his way to gold medals at the two World Championships he participated in. He racked up a perfect 17-0 record, including 11 technical superiority wins and six decisions, sweeping gold at the World Championships, U23 World Championships, the Islamic Solidarity Games, and the Zagreb Open Ranking Series.

Women’s Wrestling Breakout Performer of the Year: Sakura ONISHI (JPN)

At 19 years old, Onishi entered the senior circuit with massive goals but had zero experience and zero fear. In mere months, she became a problem no one had an answer for.

Onishi tore through the season with a flawless 15-0 record, capturing titles at the Senior and U20 World Championships, the Asian Championships, and the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series. Her dominance wasn’t subtle -- it was exactly what you’d expect from a Japanese women’s wrestler -- 11 tech falls, three pins, and a decision, outscoring opponents 158-17.