#development

Norway Hosts Freestyle Coaching and Referee Course

By United World Wrestling Press

OSLO, Norway (June 30, 2023) – The Norwegian Wrestling Federation hosted educational courses for coaches and referees in efforts to grow and develop freestyle wrestling. These courses were conducted in conjunction with UWW, Olympic Solidarity, Norwegian NOC and the Norwegian Wrestling Federation.  The coaching course was led by Mr. Keith Sieracki (USA). The referee course was led by Mr. Vaclav Scheiner (CZE). “We had a great educational time with two knowledgeable instructors. Our coaches and referees had a great time and got a lot of new things in the toolbox to bring back to the clubs.” said Jon Isaksen, Head of Development in the Norwegian Wrestling Federation.

The Coaching Course was held June 26-30 at the Lambertseter Wrestling Hall. During the course, eight participants attended and participated in the Level 1 Course (Introduction to Coaching and Safety). The following topics were covered throughout the course: identifying key factors, improving communication, introducing a new technique, coaching skills, giving feedback, risk management, age and developmental stage characteristics. During the course, the coaches actively practiced and developed their skills through practical evaluations and technical sessions that focused on freestyle wrestling.  The Norwegian Wrestling Federation also hosted a training camp during the same dates. The coaches were able to directly apply the skills they were learning in the course. “The overall attitude was great! Everyone had things to share from past coaching experiences good and bad. The best session was the practical sessions where they could practice their skills and learn new techniques,”  said Mr. Sieracki.

NORParticipants develop their skills through practical evaluations and technical sessions that focused on freestyle wrestling. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

The Introduction to Refereeing Course was conducted June 26-28. The participants learned the foundations of what it takes to be a great referee. The areas covered during the course included: safety of the athletes, evaluation of holds, referee mechanics, positioning, and controlling the bout. The participants were active during the course and were able to practice their skills through practical evaluations and simulated matches. The referees also worked directly with the coaches to help improve their relationship and understanding of the rules.  “The course went very well.  The number of participants was small so I was able to work with them individually. The session with the coaches and referees together was very good. The coaches experienced how difficult the job of the referee can be,” said Mr. Scheiner. “The course went very well. It connected the mutual understanding between coaches and the referees. It has many relevant topics and a good combination of theory and practice. Vaclav was great to keep the course interactive and kept the interest of the participants," said Jon Isaksen (Head of Development for Norwegian Wrestling Federation.

Quotes from Participants:

“The course went very well and we were very happy with the methodology. It was very satisfying to see our own progression on the mat from day to day. We have some cooperation with coaches and it was very good and necessary.  We were very happy with our educator, Mr. Scheiner,” said Marcin Zawistowski

2026 U23 European Championships

Aliev, Amirov Comebacks Help Russia Win Three Greco Golds

By Vinay Siwach

ZRENJANIN, Serbia (March 14) -- Imam ALIEV (RUS) had to win his final, twice.

Aliev was down 4-0 against Vladimeri KARCHAIDZE (FRA) in the 87kg Greco-Roman final at the U23 European Championships in Zrenjanin, Serbia.

Seeing an opportunity, Aliev wrapped his arms around Karchaidze and brought him down back first. He held the France wrestler to win via fall. However, France challenged for a foul and on review, an offensive leg foul was confirmed and the score reversed to 4-0 and the fall cancelled.

On restart, Aliev kept the pressure and used an arm drag to bring down Karchaidze who was back paddling towards the zone. On this occasion, Aliev secured the fall and on review after a challenge from France, the call was upheld.

The gold medal was Aliev's first continental medal to go along with his bronze from the 2023 U20 World Championships.

For Karchaidze, it was second straight silver medal at the U23 Europeans as he lost the final last year against Alperen BERBER (TUR). Incidentally, he lost that final via a fall as well.

Aliev was one of the three Russian wrestlers who won gold medal in Zrenjanin on Saturday.

Alibek AMIROV (RUS) defended his 55kg title after a hard-fought 3-3 victory over Farid SADIKHLI (AZE) in the final. Sadikhli was on board first as Amirov was called passive in the first period.

As Sadikhli turned Amirov from par terre to score two points, Amirov reversed the position when he blocked Sadikhli and held him in danger to get two points. Sadikhli led 3-2 at the break but when Amirov got the par terre advantage in the second period, the Russian led 3-3 on criteria.

With a minute and five seconds left in the match, Amirov was offered another passivity advantage, without points, and he continued the match in standing rather than the usual par terre that wrestler ask for.

He defended his 3-3 criteria lead and won his second straight gold medal at the tournament.

Last year's silver medalist at 72kg, Danil GRIGOREV (RUS) improved to gold medal, this year at 77kg. He defeated Samvel TERTERYAN (ARM), 1-1, in the gold medal bout.

Grigorev and Terteryan were both put in par terre in either period but both failed to score any points. Since Grigorev was the first to get passivity point, he held the winning criteria.

Armenia managed to recover and claim a gold medal as Aramasyis HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) defeated Laszlo DARABOS (HUN), 1-1, in the 130kg final to claim his first ever medal.

Darabos, U20 European and world champion, was called passive in the first period and Harutyunyan in the second but both did not score any points. As a result, Harutyunyan claimed the criteria win.

World bronze medalist and defending champion Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) denied Dordzhi SHUNGURTSIKOV (RUS), 6-2, in the 63kg final to win gold. This was Eriomenco's fifth medal in six U23 European Championships.

When Shungurtsikov was put in par terre, Eriomenco scored a turn to lead 3-0. With just over a minute left, Eriomenco scored a stepout to extend his lead to 4-0 before Shungurtsikov was called passive and put in par terre which added another point to Eriomenco's score.

Eriomenco was happy with his 5-0 lead but gave up a takedown late in the final as Shungurtsikov cut the lead to 5-2. Russia challenged, asking for fleeing but were denied which made the score 6-2.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Alibek AMIROV (RUS) df. Farid SADIKHLI (AZE), 3-3

BRONZE: Manvel KHACHATRYAN (ARM) df. Sercan KESGIN (TUR), 9-0
BRONZE: Koba KARUMIDZE (GEO) df. Denis MIHAI (ROU), 5-5

63kg
GOLD: Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) df. Dordzhi SHUNGURTSIKOV (RUS), 6-2

BRONZE: Jan GAMELIUS (SWE) df. Marios KAPANTAIS (GRE), 11-3
BRONZE: Ilkin GURBANOV (AZE) df. Rati KHOZREVANIDZE (GEO), via fall (8-3)

77kg
GOLD: Danil GRIGOREV (RUS) df. Samvel TERTERYAN (ARM), 1-1

BRONZE: Temuri ORJONIKIDZE (GEO) df. Kiryl VALEUSKI (BLR), 8-6
BRONZE: Irfan MIRZOIEV (UKR) df. Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA), 2-1

87kg
GOLD: Imam ALIEV (RUS) df. Vladimeri KARCHAIDZE (FRA), via fall (3-4)

BRONZE: Alperen BERBER (TUR) df. Martin LJOSAAK (NOR), 10-2
BRONZE: Yassine BEN LABED (POL) df. Patrik GORDAN (ROU), 3-1

130kg
GOLD: Aramayis HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) df. Laszlo DARABOS (HUN), 1-1 

BRONZE: Alan DZABIEV (BUL) df. Sebastian WARCHOL (POL), 1-1
BRONZE: Aleksandr MELEKHOV (RUS) df. Ivan YANKOVSKYI (UKR), via fall (12-7)