#kaspeuro2018

Olympic Champ Aleksanyan and Pair of Olympic Medalists Headline Wednesday's Greco-Roman Finals

Wednesday, May 2, 2018 - 08:10 By Eric Olanowski

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KASPIYSK, Russia (May 2) - Artur “The White Bear,” Aleksanyan remained supreme on his quest to winning his fourth European title. The Armenian has suffered two defeats in the past five seasons, both coming at the European Championships. Aleksanyan last won a European title in 2014 but has won three world titles and an Olympic gold medal. 

The 2016 Olympic champion will get his opportunity to seize his first gold medal in four years when he takes on Mikheil KAJAIA (SRB) in the 97kg finals. Aleksanyan enters the European finals after scoring technical superiority victories over his first three opponents.

Serbia’s Kajaia is wrestling in his third European Championships and has outperformed his eleventh-place finish from a year ago. 

Shmagi BOLKVADZE (GEO) will look to add a European gold medal to his collection of Olympic and world medals. (Photo by Max Rose-Fyne)

Shmagi BOLKVADZE (GEO), the 24-year-old Olympic bronze medalist and U23 world champion shutout Denmark’s Fredrik Holmquist BJERREHUUS (DEN), 5-0 in the first 67kg semifinal, This marked the third time in as many matches that Bolvadze blanked his opponent. 

He’ll take on Artem SURKOV (RUS), the two-time European champion and two-time world bronze medalist in the gold-medal bout at 67kg. Surkov bested Poland’s Dawid KARECINSKI to make his third trip to the European finals.

Rasul CHUNAYEV (AZE), 2016 Olympic bronze medalist will be looking for his first European gold medal since 2015. 

The finals at 72kg will feature two previous European champions in Rasul CHUNAYEV (AZE) and Adam KURAK (RUS). 

Chunayev, the 2016 Olympic bronze medalist and 2015 world and European champion fancied his way to the finals by capturing four wins on the day, including an 11-3 semifinal victory over Georgia’s Luri LOMADZE (GEO). 

Kurak, the 2014 European champion picked up a trio of victories on the day. Most notably, the Russian avenged his loss from the bronze-medal bout of the 2017 World Championships, defeating Balint KORPASI (HUN), 3-3.  


2017 world champion Maksim MANUKYAN (ARM) will wrestle tonight for his first European title. (Photo by Tony Rotundo)

The 82kg finals will feature a pair of first time European finalist in Maksim MANUKYAN (ARM) and Viktar SASUNOUSKI (BLR).

Manukyan, the 2017 world champion started his day by shutting out 2016 Olympian Bozo STARCEVIC (CRO), 6-0. He followed that up by picking up two additional wins, including a dominating 8-0 performance over Hungary’s Laszlo SZABO (HUN) in the semifinals. 

Sasunouski squeaked out his first two wins before picking up the 9-0 technical superiority victory over 2015 European Games finalist, Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE). 

Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) picked up a 9-0 technical superiority victory to seal his spot in the 60kg finals.

Sergey EMELIN (RUS) and Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) both picked up 9-0 technical superiority victories in the semifinals and will wrestle for the 60kg gold on Wednesday night. 

Emelin used a set of four guts to go along with a passivity point to defeat Jacopo SANDRON (ITA), 9-0. 

Mammadov also scored eight points off gut wrenches, picking up his 9-0 technical superiority semifinal victory over Georgia’s Dato CHKHARTISHVILI. 

RESULTS
60kg 
GOLD: Sergey EMELIN (RUS) vs. Murad MAMMADOV (AZE)

Semifinal: Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) df. Jacopo SANDRON (ITA), 9-0
Semifinal: Sergey EMELIN (RUS) df. Dato CHKHARTISHVILI (GEO), 9-0 

67kg
GOLD - Artem SURKOV (RUS) v. Shmagi BOLKVADZE (GEO)

Semifinal - Artem SURKOV (RUS) df. Dawid KARECINSKI (POL), 3-1
Semifinal - Shmagi BOLKVADZE (GEO) df. Fredrik BJERREHUUS (DEN), 5-0

72kg
GOLD – Rasul CHUNAYEV (AZE) v. Adam KURAK (RUS)

Semifinal – Rasul CHUNAYEV (AZE) df. Luri LOMADZE (GEO), 11-3
Semifinal – Adam KURAK (RUS) df. Gevorg SAHAKYAN (POL), 5-2 

82kg
GOLD: Viktar SASUNOUSKI (BLR) vs. Maksim MANUKYAN (ARM)

Semifinal: Viktar SASUNOUSKI (BLR) df. Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE), 9-0
Semifinal: Maksim MANUKYAN (ARM) df. Laszlo SZABO (HUN), 8-0

97kg
GOLD: Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) vs. Mikheil KAJAIA (SRB)

Semifinal: Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) df. Matti Elias KUOSMANEN (FIN), 10-0 
Semifinal: Mikheil KAJAIA (SRB) df. Ramsin AZIZSIR (GER), 3-1 

#UnitedWorldWrestling

ASDEG Workshop: IF experts discuss AI and new technologies in coaching

Wednesday, December 4, 2024 - 16:31 By United World Wrestling Press

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LAUSANNE, Switzerland (December 4) -- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other new technologies in coaching topped the agenda of last week’s ASOIF Sport Development and Education Group (ASDEG) Workshop held in Lausanne. The meeting attracted more than 60 experts representing over 30 International Federations (IFs) to gain new insights, share best practice and learn from each other.

United World Wrestling Development Director and ASDEG Chair Deqa NIAMKEY attended the two-day workshop and highlighted the importance of the Workshop when she said:

"This edition of the ASDEG Workshop offered a diverse range of relatable topics to the IFs, focusing on the transformative potential of AI through inclusive education, innovation, and tailored applications for each IF’s unique needs," Niamkey said. "The Workshop serves as a valuable platform for networking, exchanging ideas, sharing best practices, and transferring knowledge, all aligned with ASOIF's overarching good governance strategy. I would like to extend my gratitude to ASOIF and their team for their remarkable efforts in organizing such initiatives that elevate our sports, and to the ASDEG for their dedication and invaluable contributions."

The annual meeting is action-oriented and the participants agreed to implement the following initiatives over the next 12 months:

- support IFs in increasing representation of Women Technical Officials and Coaches to meet IOC targets
- design a training program for executives on the strategic and economic value of sport development
- collate Return On Investment information across IFs – including trends and recommendations
- establish regular communication to facilitate cross-sport collaboration and knowledge-sharing
- equip IFs on incorporating technology in development programs and resources for education

"Embracing new technologies and AI is no longer optional; it is a necessity for the International Federations to thrive across all areas, including leadership, sports development and coaching," Stefan LJUTZKANOV, Chief Product Officer Business and Development at Sport ERP, said. "These tools hold the potential to accelerate growth, improve decision-making, and foster inclusivity within our global sports community. The key lies in identifying the gaps and proactively addressing them. By leveraging AI and emerging technologies, we can enhance performance and redefine the roles of coaches, leadership, and athletes, ensuring the future of sport is both innovative and equitable."

Other sessions focused on innovations in delivering educational content to athletes and coaches, specific challenges faced by IFs in this area, IF success stories, and the certification of coach licenses to attain global recognition. Sheila Stephens DESBANS from Olympic Solidarity also joined in the Workshop to present projects and related changes for IFs in the next quadrennium.