European Games

Russian Trio Advances to Greco-Roman Finals at European Games

Friday, June 28, 2019 - 19:08 By United World Wrestling Press

Share this article

MINSK, Belarus (June 28) - Russia made a statement on the opening day of the Greco-Roman competition at the European Games, advancing all three of their wrestlers to Saturday's gold-medal finals. 

Returning world champion Stepan MARYANYAN (60kg) and Aleksandr CHEKHIRKIN (77kg), along with 2018 European bronze medalist Zaur KABALOEV (67kg), earned semifinal victories for Russia.

Maryanyan, a European Games champion in 2015, was untested in his semifinal match against Zhora ABOVIAN (UKR). He cruised to a 9-0 technical superiority. Maryanyan built a 7-0 lead after the first period and put the match away early in the second period. He will face Erik TORBA (HUN) in the gold-medal match.

Torba came from behind to defeat Dato CHKHARTISHVILI (GEO), a 2016 junior world champion, 6-5. Chkhartishvili used a four-point throw in the first period, which helped him take a 5-3 lead at the break. Torba, though, kept the pressure on and scored a passivity point before scoring with a turn to take the lead. He then held off the Georgian for the victory.

Chekhirkin, like Maryanyan, picked up a technical superiority without surrendering a point in the semifinals. His semifinal victory came over Yunus BASAR (TUR), 8-0. After getting pushed in his first match, the 33-year-old Russian has outscored his last two opponents 14-0. In tomorrow's gold-medal match at 77kg, Chekhirkin will meet Karapet CHALYAN (ARM).

Chalyan reached the finals by beating Tamas LORINCZ (HUN), an Olympic silver medalist and three-time world medalist. Lorincz scored first off a passivity to take a 1-0 lead, which is all the scoring that happened in the opening period. Chalyan came back in the second period, scoring a takedown early in the second period and adding another takedown a short time later, which proved to be enough to get him the victory.  

Kabaloev blanked Oleksii KALINICHENKO (UKR) 4-0 in the semifinals at 67kg, scoring all four of his points in the first period. The other semifinal winner at 67kg was Shmagi BOLKVADZE (GEO), a U23 and junior world champion, who defeated Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) 5-0. 

RESULTS

Greco-Roman

60kg
GOLD - Stepan MARYANYAN (RUS) vs. Erik TORBA (HUN)
SEMIFINAL - Stepan MARYANYAN (RUS) df. Zhora ABOVIAN (UKR), 9-0
SEMIFINAL - Erik TORBA (HUN) df. Dato CHKHARTISHVILI (GEO), 6-5

67kg
GOLD - Zaur KABALOEV (RUS) vs. Shmagi BOLKVADZE (GEO)
SEMIFINAL - Zaur KABALOEV (RUS) df. Oleksii KALINICHENKO (UKR), 4-0
SEMIFINAL - Shmagi BOLKVADZE (GEO) df. Karen ASLANYAN (ARM), 5-0

77kg
GOLD - Aleksandr CHEKHIRKIN (RUS) vs. Karapet CHALYAN (ARM)
SEMIFINAL - Aleksandr CHEKHIRKIN (RUS) df. Yunus BASAR (TUR), 8-0 
SEMIFINAL - Karapet CHALYAN (ARM) df. Tamas LORINCZ (HUN), 4-1
 

#development

Moldova steps up, hosts coaching and referee courses

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 - 19:57 By United World Wrestling Press

Share this article

KISHINEV, Moldova (December 10) -- Moldova, a country rich with wrestling history and some good performances in recent years, continues to develop the sport.

Moldovan Wrestling Federation has taken steps to train and improve its coaches, referees and wrestlers and organized two courses [Level 3 Coaching and Level 2 National Referee] and a competition from November 23 to 29.

The two courses were organized in conjunction with Olympic Solidarity, UWW and Moldova Olympic Committee. United World Wrestling also supported their national tournament that was held at the conclusion of the courses.

"We are pleased with the successful implementation of the Level 3 coaching program and Level 2 referee program," said Ivan GHEORGHIU, President of the Moldova Wrestling Federation. "The course introduced modern international coaching and refereeing methodologies that are essential for the continued development of wrestling in Moldova. We value the collaboration with UWW and Olympic Solidarity and look forward to further educational initiatives."

The Level 3 coaching course was led by Yusup ABDUSALAMOV (UWW Educator). The course focused on performance analysis periodization and preparation, coaching philosophy training load management, and safe sport. There were 17 individuals that participated in the course.

“The course progressed smoothly and the participants showed interest, discipline, and engagement during all sessions," Abdusalamov said. "They actively participated in theoretical discussions and performed well during practical and micro-training tasks. I am confident that the skills they developed will significantly improve the effectiveness of their training work."

Anatolie GUIDEA, one of the coaches who attended the course expressed his appreciation and said, "I greatly appreciated the depth of information on periodization and training load management. The micro-training sessions were especially useful, as they provided clear practical tools that I can apply immediately in my own training environment."

Moldova

The Level 2 referee course was also held and was called Referee Foundations. This course was led by Igor LIGAY (IS Referee and UWW Educator) and included 22 participants.

During the course, the referees went through more advanced scoring situations including risk, out of bounds, takedown and control, and attack vs counter attack. They also worked on strategies for controlling the bout and being a mat chairman. Their training included theoretical and practical sessions.

"All participants actively took part in discussions, successfully handled practical exercises during the competitions, and I am confident that the skills and knowledge they acquired will enhance their effectiveness and raise the overall standard of judging at competitions," Ligay said.

In addition to the courses, Moldova hosted a national competition that was also supported by UWW. This competition featured wrestlers from 26 clubs and included 134 Freestyle wrestlers, 121 Greco-Roman wrestlers, and 27 women wrestlers.