#WrestleNoviSad

Russians Outscore Day 6 Semifinal Opponents 34-0

By Eric Olanowski

NOVI SAD, Serbia (March 9) – Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV, Nikita SUCHKOV, Arsen-Ali MUSALALIEV, and Batyrbek TCAKULOV shutout their semifinal opponents 36-0 and extended Russia’s overall U23 European finalist streak to 18. Coming into the Day 6 semifinals, Russia had qualified 14 wrestlers for the finals, and the quartet of Day 7 finalists increased that total by four. 

Magomedov gave Russia their first Day 7 finalist after closing out his 61kg semifinals match with a trapped arm gut to defeat Azerbaijan’s Asgar MAMMADALIYEV, 10-0. 

He’ll take on Greece’s Georgios PILIDIS (GRE) in Saturday’s gold-medal match. Pilidis’ semifinal match against Valentyn BLIASETSKYI (UKR) was short-lived after the Greek wrestler bulldozed the Ukrainian wrestler 10-0 in less than two minutes. 

At 74kg, Russia’s second Day 7 finalist Nikita Suchkov, who will take on Slovakia’s Akhsarbek GULAEV for Sunday's gold, shutout Khachatur PAPIKYAN (ARM), 10-0. His finals opponent Gulaev edged Giorgi SULAVA (GEO), 9-8 after commanding the 9-0 lead. 

Like his two fellow countrymen finalist, Arsen-Ali Musalaiev also cruised in his semifinals bout. Musalaliev scored an 8-0 shutout win over Johannes Martin DEML (GER) and will meet Arif OZEN (TUR) in the 86kg finals. 

Batyrbek TCAKULOV (RUS) was the fourth Russian to blank his semifinals opponent when he picked up the 6-0 win over Bendeguz TOTH (HUN). He’ll wrestle Ukraine’s Vasyl SOVA (UKR) in the finals. The Ukrainian wrestler beat Shamil ZUBAIROV (AZE), 6-2 to reach the finals. 


Vitali PIASNIAK (BLR) will wrestle Yurii IDZINSKYI (UKR) for the 125kg U23 European title. (Photo Sachiko Hotaka)

In the only weight that didn’t feature a Russian wrestler, 125kg, Belarus’ Vitali PIASNIAK and Yurii IDZINSKYI (UKR) picked up semifinal wins and will compete on Sunday night for the 125kg U23 European title.

The Day 7 finals begin on Sunday at 18:00 (local time).

RESULTS 
61kg 
GOLD - Georgios PILIDIS (GRE) vs. Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (RUS)
SEMIFINAL - Georgios PILIDIS (GRE) df. Valentyn BLIASETSKYI (UKR), 10-0 
SEMIFINAL - Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (RUS) df. Asgar MAMMADALIYEV (AZE), 10-0 

74kg 
GOLD - Nikita SUCHKOV (RUS) vs. Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK)
SEMIFINAL - Nikita SUCHKOV (RUS) df. Khachatur PAPIKYAN (ARM), 10-0 
SEMIFINAL - Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK) df. Giorgi SULAVA (GEO), 9-7

86kg 
GOLD - Arsen-Ali MUSALALIEV (RUS) vs. Arif OZEN (TUR)
SEMIFINAL - Arsen-Ali MUSALALIEV (RUS) df. Johannes Martin DEML (GER), 8-0 
SEMIFINAL - Arif OZEN (TUR) df.  Zaur BERADZE (GEO), 8-1

92kg 
GOLD - Vasyl SOVA (UKR) vs. Batyrbek TCAKULOV (RUS)
SEMIFINAL - Vasyl SOVA (UKR) df.  Shamil ZUBAIROV (AZE), 6-0
SEMIFINAL - Batyrbek TCAKULOV (RUS) df. Bendeguz TOTH (HUN), 6-0 

125kg
GOLD - Vitali PIASNIAK (BLR) vs. Yurii IDZINSKYI (UKR) 
SEMIFINAL - Vitali PIASNIAK (BLR) df. Samhan JABRAILOV (MDA), 3-1 
SEMIFINAL - Yurii IDZINSKYI (UKR) df. Georgii NOGAEV (SVK), 11-0 

#development

Algeria Hosts Successful UWW Level 1 Coaches Course

By United World Wrestling Press

FOUKA, TIPAZA, Algeria (May 15) -- A United World Wrestling Level 1: Introduction to Coaching and Safety coaching course was successfully organized by the Algerian Wrestling Federation, UWW and Olympic Solidarity.

The five-day course was organized at the National Teams Training and Preparation Center in Fouka, Tipaza from May 7 to 11 and it brought together wrestling coaches from across Algeria in an atmosphere marked by discipline, professionalism, and a shared commitment to developing wrestling at both national and continental levels.

The course was conducted by international UWW experts Vincent AKA and Ahmed KHEDHRI, who delivered theoretical and practical sessions focused on modern coaching methodology, athlete safety, technical development, and the core principles of international wrestling training standards.

Algeria

Throughout the course, participants demonstrated remarkable engagement, collaboration, and enthusiasm. Coaches exchanged experiences, strengthened their technical knowledge, and reinforced their collective ambition to contribute to the long-term growth of Algerian wrestling.

The closing ceremony, highlighted by the presentation of certificates to all participants, reflected the success of the program and the strong educational momentum currently shaping wrestling development in Algeria.

During the course, several participants expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the quality of the training and the spirit of unity created throughout the event.

"This training was a true source of inspiration for all of us. Thanks to the professionalism, pedagogy, and expertise shared during the course, we experienced an unforgettable educational journey," said Fodil BOURAS SIDAHEMED on behalf of the group “Les Guerriers.”

Another participant, AK DJAHID, praised the atmosphere among the coaches, emphasizing “solidarity, respect, professionalism, and exemplary behavior throughout the entire course.”

UWW

The event also coincided with the official visit of Development Director of UWW Deqa NIAMKEY, who visited several wrestling development sites in Algeria and met with national sports authorities.

During her visit, Niamkey highlighted the impressive progress achieved by the Algerian Wrestling Federation in recent years and reaffirmed UWW’s support for the federation’s ambitious long-term development strategy, particularly its investment in youth wrestling and grassroots programs.