Beach wrestling

Pakistan’s Muhammad Inam Has Big Dreams

By Marc Berman

SARIGERME, Turkey (October 6th and 7th) --  When Muhammad INAM (PAK) steps in to the circle for the 90kg final later today the world championship title is up for grabs. He will not be alone when he makes his last walk to the circle this weekend “I come here for my nation, my people, my government. They motivate me and are with me.”

Inam made history last year by winning the first world championship title for Pakistan in beach wrestling. “Last year when I returned to Pakistan lots of people met me at the airport, taking pictures and throwing flowers to me. I did a lot of media and lots of interviews. It was a big deal for our nation.”

The transition to beach wrestling was a natural one for Inam. Starting as a young boy in mud wrestling was an advantage, “In Pakistan we do not have money for mats so, we train in the mud. Now I train 10 months in the mud and two months before the championship I change to the sand.”

Winning back to back world championship titles would be another historic milestone for Inam and Pakistan.  Even more motivating for him then the title is the opportunity to shine a positive light on his country for the world to see. “Last year people were afraid to talk with me because they did not know me or Pakistan but, this year the fans cheer for me and snap pictures with me. This is why I come here, for my people and the next generation.”

Be with Inam in the finals when he attempts to make history today by watching live  on United World Wrestling

Beach wrestling

The heat is on for the titles after a first day on the sand

By United World Wrestling Press

Zagreb, Croatia, Turkey (September 7) - With the first two rounds for each weight class in the books, frequent throws and plenty of action in the wrestling circle in Zagreb’s Jarun Center, the stage is set for thrilling matches on sand tomorrow as many of the favourites proved to be in prime shape.

 On an overcast first day, it was the overall leaders in all men’s categories who won both their matches in dominant style. 

A close fight for the final can be expected in the 70kg category as Levan Kelekhsashvili (GEO), as well as overall runner-up Semen Radulov (UKR), didn’t disappoint and won both of today’s matches without conceding a point. 

 

 

Georgia’s Davit Khutsishvili came to Zagreb as the leader at 80kg and he won both matches in impressive fashion; the first one by superiority against his direct opponent for the Kings of the Beach title, Georgios Koulouchidis from Greece. The Greek won his second battle against Slovenia’s Timotej Trbulin in the same manner.

 

Dato Marsagishvili (GEO) also went undefeated today in the 90kg class and is eying his first Beach Wrestling World Championships title on Sunday.

 Odessa winner Oyan Nazariani from Azerbaijan picked up where he left off in the Ukraine and cruised past both his opponents in the heavyweights to earn the applause from the spectators on the stands.

 In the women’s 60kg category Camila Fama Tristao from Brazil is a star in the making at 60kg, and she’ll be looking to take home her first Beach Wrestling world title after winning both her fights on day 1 without being scored against. 

 All eyes will be on Ukraine’s Anna Mazurkevych in the final as she dominated at 70kg with two fast wins while the current Series leader in this category, Sonia Maria Pereira Brazio from Brazil, lost twice. 

 

 

The fastest win of the day in this weight class went to Diana Mary Betanzo from the United States when she defeated Sara Trbulin (SLO) in eight seconds.

 In the 50kg class Kristal Kimberly Betanzo was a force like her mother at 70kg, winning her fight in the first attack. Tomorrow she’ll face Ukraine’s Kateryna Mashkevych for the individual win on Croatian soil.

 Expect intense competitions with the action coming thicker and faster on day 2. Action will start 1pm GMT on Sunday, don’t miss the live stream on FloWrestling.org when the Kings and Queens of the beach will receive their world championship honours.

 Fans and athletes can also follow the Beach Wrestling World Series on InstagramFacebookYouTube, and Twitter.

 Match by match results can be found here.