#Trnava2018

Rakhimov Sticks Three-Time World Champion Steveson

By Eric Olanowski

TRNAVA, Slovaia (September 22) - Uzbekistan’s Khasanboy RAKHIMOV shocked the wrestling world in the 125kg junior world quarterfinals, sticking three-time age-level world champion, Gable STEVESON (USA). 

In the opening period, Rakhimov, the 2018 junior Asian runner-up gambled big and his upper body confidence paid off. The 2015 cadet world runner-up went for a throw with double overhooks and threw Steveson to his back, picking up the fall at 1:42. 

Prior to Saturday’s quarterfinal loss, Steveson had never lost an international bout on his way to winning two cadet world titles and a junior world gold medal. 

Rakhimov will wrestle Russia’s Soslan KHINCHAGOV (RUS) for a spot in the 125kg finals. 

The 2018 Junior World Championships is Khinchagov’s first age-level tournament since taking the bronze medal in the 2015 Cadet World Championships. Since then, he's competed at five senior-level tournaments, where he’s won three medals. 

The semifinals begin at 17:15 and the finals will start at 18:00. 

Semifinals

61kg
Syrbaz TALGAT (KAZ) vs. Ramaz TURMANIDZE (GEO) 
Abbos RAKHMONOV (UZB) vs. Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (RUS)

74kg
Sachin RATHI (IND) vs. Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE) 
Mekhi Kevin LEWIS (USA) vs. Bat-Erdene BYAMBASUREN (MGL)

86kg
Arif OZEN (TUR) vs. Seyedabolfazl Seyedabbasali HASHEMIJOUYBARI (IRI) 
Deepak PUNIA (IND) vs. Ivan NEDEALCO (MDA) 

97kg
Makhsud VEYSALOV (UZB) vs. Alisher YERGALI (KAZ) 
Abbas Ali FOROUTANRAMI (IRI) vs. Khokh KHUGAEV (RUS)

125kg 
Soslan KHINCHAGOV (RUS) vs. Khasanboy RAKHIMOV (UZB) 
Rahid HAMIDLI (AZE) vs. Aly Medhat Abde BARGHOUT (CAN)

#development

UWW Donates Mats to Mauritius for Regional Development Project

By United World Wrestling Press

MAURITUS (April 27) -- United World Wrestling has donated wrestling mats to the Mauritius National Wrestling and Allied Games Association. The mats were provided through UWW’s partner and sponsor, Taishan Sports, in support of the Olympic Solidarity/ UWW Regional Development Program.

The mats will be used as part of the OS/UWW regional program, which aims to strengthen wrestling development in Mauritius and create a lasting impact across the East Africa region. By improving access to quality training facilities and equipment, the initiative seeks to support athletes, coaches, and youth participation while helping national federations raise standards across the region.

The regional program is scheduled to take place from October 9 to 18, 2026 and will combine athlete training camps, coaches’ education, referees’ courses, and a regional competition to conclude the activities. Olympic Solidarity will soon send invitations to all National Olympic Committees in East Africa to participate in the program.

The President of the Mauritius National Wrestling and Allied Games Association Joel ANTOINETTE highly appreciated the donation.

“We are incredibly grateful for the generous donation of these wrestling mats," Antoinette said. "This contribution is more than just equipment; it’s the foundation for a new era. We promise to honor this gift by working tirelessly to revolutionize the Wrestling sport, pushing boundaries, and elevating our athletes to heights."

Thanks to the support of the Mauritius National Olympic Committee, this is not the first time that the Mauritius National Wrestling Association has organized such educational events. Over the past years, they have successfully delivered several Olympic Solidarity/UWW development activities at both national and regional levels.

Mauritius has increased its presence on the international wrestling stage in recent years, with athletes competing more regularly at major events thanks to the continued support of the Mauritius National Olympic Committee and the Mauritius Wrestling federation. This progress reflects the growing ambition of the federation and the country’s commitment to advancing the sport.