#WrestleTunis

Nokhodi, Sarlak earn trip to second Worlds

Sunday, July 17, 2022 - 22:17 By Vinay Siwach

Share this article

TUNIS, Tunisia (July 17) -- Iran entered the Zouhaier Sghaier Ranking Series to finalize its World Championships team as it was left with two wrestlers at 57kg and 79kg after the Takhti Cup and the national selection trial.

Two World silver medalists -- Alireza SARLAK (IRI) at 57kg and Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) at 79kg -- were fighting for their spot on the national team.

While Sarlak had lost to Ahmad MOHAMMADNEZHAD (IRI) at the Takhti Cup, Nokodhi was forced for a trial as Ali SAVADKHOUI (IRI) won the Asian Championships. Coincidentally, the two pairs were placed in the same pool of their brackets and faced each other in the first bout itself.

Savadkhoui won a tense opening bout 5-5 against Nokhodi and took a step closer to that world event. But in a shocking turn of events, Nokhodi won his remaining bouts in the Nordic bracket and made it to the final.

His loss to Savadkhoui became irrelevant as the Asian champion failed to qualify for the semifinal and lost his chance to represent the nation at the World Championships.

Iran coaches and management perhaps wanted to conduct the trial in an international event as that would give a better idea about a wrestler's chance against foreign opponents. Had it been a one-off bout during the Takhti Cup or the later trial, Nokhodi would have failed to go to his second senior World Championships.

But as the management predicted, he lost to Savadkouhi but dominated other international wrestlers. In the final, he faced Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) and scored 10 points against six to win the gold medal.

At 57kg, Sarlak and Mohammadnezhad faced in the opening round which Sarlak won 2-0. Mohammadnezhad was expected to bounce back as the two could have met again in the final. But he suffered a loss to UDIT (IND).

Sarlak won all his bouts in the group stage and qualified for the semifinal against world champion Thomas GILMAN (USA). The rematch of the World Championships did not disappoint, with Gilman securing an 11-7 win.

Gilman made the final but not before suffering a  pin against Horst LEHR (GER) in the opening round. But Lehr then got injured and lost his semifinal to Udit 14-4

In the final, Gilman scored three takedowns to lead 7-2 but Udit made a come and came agonizingly close to beating Gilman who won 9-8.

Iran's third entry was Yones EMAMI (IRI) who will wrestle at the World Championships at 74kg. He dominated U17 world champion Sagar JAGLAN (IND) 11-0 in the Round 3 to win the gold.

The USA dominated the proceedings at 61kg and 70kg. Zain RETHERFORD (USA) did not give up a single point en route the 70kg gold, winning five bouts. In the final against Syrbag TALGAT (KAZ), Retherford continuously build the pressure and scored takedown after takedown.

Seth GROSS (USA) at 61kg also had an impressive performance. He will be representing the USA in Belgrade and warmed up with a gold medal after four wins including over Suleyman ATLI (TUR) and Aman SEHRAWAT (IND).

Kazakhstan won the gold medals at 86kg and 92kg. Asian champion Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) was far better than his two other opponents at 86kg while Abdimanap BAIGENZHEYEV (KAZ) won the 92kg gold after winning his three bouts.

The most he was challenged by was Viky CHAHAR (IND) but Baigenzheyev won that bout 4-2.

India's lone gold medal came at 65kg as SUJEET (IND) captured the gold after wins over Tokyo Olympian Agustin DESTRIBATS (ARG), 15-4, John DIAKOMIHALIS (USA), 8-2 and for U23 silver medalist Adlan ASKAROV (KAZ) 14-4.

The gold is Sujeet's third consecutive international gold in a month after he won the U23 Asian Championships in late June and U20 Asian gold a week back.

Results

57kg
GOLD: Thomas GILMAN df. UDIT (IND), 9-8

BRONZE: Alireza SARLAK df. Horst LEHR (GER), via injury default

61kg
Round 3: Seth GROSS (USA) df. Nebi UZUN (TUR), via injury default
Round 3: Aman SEHRAWAT (IND)  df. Suleyman ATLI (TUR), 12-2

Final standings
GOLD: Seth GROSS (USA)
SILVER: Aman SEHRAWAT (IND)
BRONZE: Suleyman ATLI (TUR)

65kg
Round 3: SUJEET (IND) df. Agustin DESTRIBATS (ARG), 15-4 
Round 3: John DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) df. Adlan ASKAROV (KAZ), 15-5

Final standings
GOLD: SUJEET (IND)
SILVER: John DIAKOMIHALIS (USA)
BRONZE: Adlan ASKAROV (KAZ)

70kg
GOLD: Zain RETHERFORD (USA) df. Syrbaz TALGAT (KAZ), 10-0

BRONZE: Karan MOR (IND) df. Kossai AJIMI (TUN), 10-0

74kg
Round 3: Yones EMAMI (IRI) df. Sagar JAGLAN (IND), 11-0

Final standings
GOLD: Yones EMAMI (IRI)
SILVER: Sagar JAGLAN (IND)
BRONZE: Cesar ALVAN (BRA)

79kg
GOLD: Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) df. Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ), 10-6

BRONZE: Chandler MARSTELLER (USA) df. Gourav BALIYAN (IND), 10-0 

86kg
Round 3: Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) df. Sabri MNASRIA (TUN), 11-0

Final standings
GOLD: Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ)
SILVER: Osman GOCEN (TUR)
BRONZE: Sabri MNASRIA (TUN)

92kg
Round 3: Viky CHAHAR (IND) df. Imed KADDIDI (TUN), 
Round 3: Abdimanap BAIGENZHEYEV (KAZ) df. Chiheb CHIHI (TUN), 10-0

Final standings
GOLD: Abdimanap BAIGENZHEYEV (KAZ)
SILVER: Viky CHAHAR (IND)
BRONZE: Imed KADDIDI (TUN)

#development, #Anti-Doping

UWW, ITA deliver anti-doping education at World Championships camp

Thursday, September 11, 2025 - 11:30 By United World Wrestling Press

Share this article

POREC, Croatia (September 11) -- The United World Wrestling recently hosted a successful on-site Anti-Doping education event in collaboration with the International Testing Agency at the World Championships acclimatization camp in Poreč.

This marked the first time UWW partnered with ITA to deliver education directly at a training camp. A dedicated booth was set up on September 8 and 9 during the camp, and presentation sessions, led by ITA educator Anita HARTUNG, were held during the evenings of both days.

"The camp offered a great opportunity to connect with athletes ahead of their major competition," Hartung said. "Many stopped by the Clean Sport booth before and after training, showing genuine interest and openness in discussing the fundamentals of Anti-Doping.

"It was inspiring to be surrounded by such a motivated athlete community and support them in their sporting journey."

The sessions provided athletes with in-depth knowledge about Anti-Doping rules, safe supplement use, and ethical sporting practices.

Two dedicated presentation sessions explored key topics, including athletes’ rights and responsibilities, how to check medications, Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs), Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs), and the risks associated with supplement use.

Holding the sessions during the acclimatization period, rather than the competition phase, allowed athletes to engage in a more relaxed environment and fully focus on learning.

CRO

"These are some of the best wrestlers in the world, and thanks to the collaboration with ITA, they are better informed,” Carlos ROY, UWW Secretary General, said. "Education on Anti-Doping protects our sport, promotes fair competition, and ensures our athletes can perform at their best with confidence."

The initiative reflects UWW’s ongoing commitment to clean sport and athlete support. By equipping wrestlers with knowledge and tools to make informed choices, UWW and ITA aim to strengthen integrity in wrestling while fostering a culture of safe and fair competition.

The Anti-Doping education sessions are part of a broader effort by UWW to provide athletes with continuous learning opportunities on the importance of competing clean, complementing existing regulations and testing programs.

With the World Championships on the horizon, these activities ensure that athletes are not only physically and technically prepared but also well-informed about Anti-Doping practices, reinforcing the values of integrity, fairness, and excellence in wrestling.