Youth Olympic Games

Russia, Iran Place Two into Freestyle Finals at YOG

By Tim Foley

BUENOS AIRES (October 14) – Russia and Iran each placed two wrestlers in the men’s freestyle finals Sunday night at the Youth Olympic Park’s Asian Pavilion.

For Iran Mohammad KARIMISEIFABAD (65kg) and Amir Abbas ZARE (110kg) will head into the nights finals, while the Russians send Sergei KOZYREV (110kg) and Akhmedkhan TEMBOTOV (80kg).

Argentina found their second finalist in as many days, with Hernan ALMENDRA (55kg) finding a last minute pancake in his final group stage match, to earn the stunning decision against Oussama LARIBI (ALG).

Georgia, Algeria, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and the United States will also be represented in the evening’s final.

Action starts at 5pm local/4pm ET.
 

Men’s Freestyle, 48kg

GOLD: Giorgi GEGELASHVILI (GEO) v. Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB)
BRONZE: Diego Armando ZULUAGA CUEVAS (COL) v. Halil GOKDENIZ (TUR)
FIFTH: Daiziel DETUDAMO (NRU) v. Fernando BOOYSEN (RSA)

Men’s Freestyle, 55kg

GOLD: Robert Kelly HOWARD (USA) v. Hernan David ALMENDRA (ARG)
BRONZE: Oussama LARIBI (ALG) v. Vladyslav OSTAPENKO (UKR)
FIFTH: Gavin Stefan Sablan WHITT (GUM) v. Hayato FUJITA (JPN)

Men’s Freestyle, 65kg

GOLD: Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) v. Mohammad Baghi KARIMISEIFABAD (IRI)
BRONZE: Inayat ULLAH (PAK) v. Carson Taylor MANVILLE (USA)       
FIFTH: Fathi Tarek A. ISMAIL (EGY) v. Westerly Pehi Tahi AINSLEY (NZL)

Men’s Freestyle, 80kg

GOLD: Akhmedkhan TEMBOTOV (RUS) v. Fateh BENFERDJALLAH (ALG)
BRONZE: Mukhammadrasul RAKHIMOV (UZB) v. Carson Barry LEE (CAN)
FIFTH: Ryan Devon MARSHALL (NZL) v. Valentine YAIREGPIE (FSM)

Men’s Freestyle, 110kg

GOLD: Sergei KOZYREV (RUS) v. Amir Hossein Abbas ZARE (IRI)
BRONZE: Ahmed Mahmoud Elsayed M. KHALIL (EGY) v. Dragan VELINOV (MKD)
FIFTH: Thomas John Mcglinchey BARNS (AUS) v. Luis Rodrigo OROZCO CORTEZ (MEX)

#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.