#RankingSeries

Ranking Series calendar finalized, UWW approves 2kg weight tolerance

Tuesday, December 20, 2022 - 07:10 By Vinay Siwach

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (December 20) -- The United World Wrestling has defined the host for the Ranking Series in 2023 and allow a two-kilogram weight tolerance for wrestlers at each Ranking Series event starting next year.

The change was approved as the UWW Bureau met Monday to finalize the calendar for 2023 among other agendas.

Apart from confirming the four stops for the Ranking Series events, the continental championships for 2023 were also approved with New Delhi, India and Sydney, Australia confirmed as the host of respective continental championships.

Furthermore, setting up an Athletes' Entourage sub-Commission was also approved by the Bureau.

The two-kilogram weight tolerance was also put forward to the Bureau and it was readily accepted. The move will promote wrestler to compete in their preferred weight class instead of an upper weight classes in future Ranking Series events.

The opportunity for the same will be the season opener in Zagreb, Croatia with the traditional Zagreb Open accepting the status of Ranking Series. This is not the first time that the tournament will be a ranking event. The tournament has been a Greco-Roman Ranking Series in the past.

For 2023, all three styles will be conducted in the Croatian capital from February 1-5.

Like last year, the Bureau wanted to provide equal opportunities to smaller National Federations and for that it kept one Ranking Series stop in Africa. The Ibrahim Moustafa tournament will be the second Ranking Series event from February 23-26 in Alexandria, Egypt.

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan was also approved as the third stop for the Ranking Series. The tournament will be held from June 1 to 4 before the Series travels to Budapest, Hungary for the last stop from July 13-16.

Ranking Series Calendar 2023:

1st Ranking Series: February 1-5, Zagreb, (CRO)
2nd Ranking Series: February 23-26, Alexandria (EGY)
3rd Ranking Series: June 1-4, Bishkek (KGZ)
4th Ranking Series: July 13-16, Budapest (HUN)

In addition to the four Ranking Series stops, the Bureau also added the Asian Games and Pan-American Games as tournaments that will offer ranking points to the wrestlers.

Asian Games will be held in Hangzhou, China from September 23 to October 8 while the Pan-Games will be in Santiago, Chile from November 1-4.

The two Games will hold the same ranking points as the continental championships.

Despite the addition of Regional Games in the Ranking Series, only the best six performances of a wrestler will be considered for the end-of-the-year rankings.

For each wrestler, only the points obtained at the World Championships, plus his/her other five best results at the ranking events (including the continental championships and two Games) of the year are counted towards the determination of the Best Athletes of the Year title.

The following competitions will determine the ranking of a wrestler:

Four Ranking Series
Senior Continental Championships
Senior World Championships or Olympic Games
2023 Asian Games (eligible wrestlers)
XIX Pan-American Games (eligible wrestlers)

Continental Championships, Entourage sub-Commission confirmed

The Asian Championships will return to New Delhi, India for the second time in three years as it was approved as the host of the 2023 edition of the tournament. The Indian capital previously hosted the tournament in February 2020.

Sydney, Australia was awarded the Oceania Championships for 2023 as the wrestlers from the region prepare for the 2023 World Championships and earn a quota to qualify for the Paris Olympics.

In line with the International Olympic Committee, UWW will also set up an Entourage sub-commission within the Athletes’ Commission. Made of four members of other existing commissions, this group will be responsible for advising and providing details to UWW for the improvement of wrestlers in relation to their parents, coaches, managers, technical officials, sponsors, media and all other stakeholders that support and work directly with and for them.

The Bureau also agreed to hold an Extraordinary Congress in 2023 to introduce constitutional changes. It is yet to be determined whether the Congress will be virtual or hybrid.

Note: The second Ranking Series was originally awarded to Cairo but has been updated to Alexandria.

#WrestleTirana

Paris Olympic medalists in Tirana: An overview

Saturday, February 22, 2025 - 14:24 By Vinay Siwach

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TIRANA, Albania (February 22) -- Tirana is quickly becoming a wrestling puller. After the thrilling World Championships in October, the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series will also prove to be a fan-favorite with the depth of field that in taking the mats in Tirana.

Given no further drop outs, 10 Paris Olympic medalists are expected to participate in Tirana including one champion -- Semen NOVIKOV (BUL).

Overall, five medalists are in Freestyle and three in Greco-Roman while two medalists are in Women's Wrestling. Here's a deep dive into the 10 Paris medalists heading to Tirana for the February 26 to March 3 event.

Greco-Roman

Semen NOVIKOV (BUL): Stuck behind Ukraine's legend Zhan BELEBIUK (UKR) at 87kg in Ukraine, Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) switched to Bulgaria. The change of countries brought change of fortunes for Novikov.

A world medal, Olympic qualification and a gold medal in Paris all gave Novikov a just reason to explain his switch. And the run in Paris included wins over David LOSONCIZ (HUN), Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) and Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI).

Tirana will test Novikov as some of the biggest names at 87kg are wrestling at the Muhamet Malo and the Olympic champion will be up for it.

Alireza MOHAMADIPIANI (IRI)Alireza MOHAMADIPIANI (IRI) won a silver medalist in his debut Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI): One of the top prospects in Greco-Roman for Iran is Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI). He may have lost the World Championships and Olympic finals but Mohmadipiani should be well settled at 87kg till Los Angeles 2028.

He will get a chance to wrestle Novikov in Tiran, depending on the draw. And a win for Mohmadipiani over Novikov will boost his confidence.

Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI)Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) won a bronze medal at 130kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI): Sometimes the bracket it out like that. Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) was stuck behind Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) and Riza KAYAALP (TUR) in Tokyo at 130kg. He defeated Kayaalp at the World Championships. But in Paris, he ran into Lopez again.

While he lost, Mirzazadeh captured the bronze medal that he missed in Tokyo. With Lopez retired and Kayaalp unclear about future, Mirzazadeh is undoubtedly the best 130kg wrestler. That is if Fardin HEYDAYATI (IRI) doesn't take his spot.

Tirana will be his first test and Heydayati the second when the two meet domestically.

Grace BULLEN (NOR)Grace BULLEN (NOR) won the first wrestling medal at Olympics for Norway. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Women's Wrestling

Grace BULLEN (NOR): At 62kg, Grace BULLEN (NOR) has finally found her mojo. After struggling to qualify at 57kg, she not only qualified but won a bronze medal at 62kg in Paris. She could have well been in the final but Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) produced the move of the tournament to flip over and pin Bullen. 

Bullen is also the European champion at this weight and will begin her season in Tirana with a lot of expectations. There will be a few challenges but Bullen will be favorite to win this weight class.

Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR)Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) is a two-time Olympic medalist. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR): Silver medalist at 62kg in Paris, Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) will at 65kg in Tirana. Koliadenko is an underrated wrestler in the world. She has bronze from Tokyo and silver from Paris, a European gold medal and world medals as well. Koliadenko will no doubt be the top wrestlers in Tirana.

In the new Olympic cycle, Koliadenko will take her own time to lean towards 62kg or 68kg as Ukraine's superstar Iryna BONDAR (UKR) is making quick strides. Tirana will give some idea which way Koliadenko leans.

Islam DUDAEV (ALB)Islam DUDAEV (ALB) won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Freestyle

Islam DUDAEV (ALB): Albania's history-maker in Paris is wrestling at home. Dudaev won the first-ever medal for Albania in Olympic history in any sport in a thrilling bronze medal bout against Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN), pulling off a 13-12 win.

Dudaev had an incredible 2024 in which he also became the European champion at 65kg, qualified for the Paris Games in Istanbul, and etched his name in history.

However, he will have his task cut out in Tirana. Also entered in the field in Olympic silver medalist Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI).

Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI)Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) is a silver medalist at 65kg from Paris Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI): Among the many superstars that Iran produces, 65kg had to endure a wait long. Amouzad changed that in 2022 when he won the World Championships. He qualified for the Paris Games from the 2023 World Championships but his run was dismal as he did not win a medal.

But come Paris, Amouzad was in red-hot form. He blanked Dudaev and Muszukajev. The final did not go his way as he lost to Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) as his comeback was cut short. Amouzad-Dudaev rematch will be one bout to watch out for.

Chermen VALIEV (ALB)Chermen VALIEV (ALB) won bronze in a tough 74kg bracket in Paris. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Chermen VALIEV (ALB): Along with Dudaev, Valiev was the other Olympic medalist for Albania. He too will be wrestling at home at 74kg. Valiev had a remarkable run in Istanbul where he qualified for Paris after a win over Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR).

And Valiev almost had a similar in Paris but a challenge turned his victory to defeat against Razambek JAMALOV (UZB), who went on to win the gold medal and Valiev the bronze. Still, Valiev defeated Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (AIN) and Viktor RASSADIN (TJK) en route his bronze.

Valiev, in an interview with UWW last year, told that he is ready to avenge his loss to Jamalov however that opportunity will be later in the year.

Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO)Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) won a silver medal in Paris at 97kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO): In an excellent at the Paris Olympics, Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) made it to the 97kg final. He ran into Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) and a failed arm-spin attempt resulted in a pin and Matcharashvili ended up with a silver medal.

The season will begin with Matcharashvili wrestling at 125kg in Tirana but that doesn't mean he will be at 125kg. He wrestled a few times at 125kg last year as well but returned to 97kg. In Tirana, he will face quite a few challenges at the super heavy weight class.

Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI)Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) returned with a silver medal from the Paris Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI): One of the top matches of Paris Olympics was the 125kg in which Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI), who has past wins over Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO), lost to Petriashvili after getting caught in a gut-wrench. Down 8-0, Zare mounted a comeback but as time ran out, he fell short 10-9.

Zare will be full of motivation to begin his new year with a gold medal. He may not get a hand on Petriashvili soon but Zare must look at the bigger picture of 2028 LA Olympics.