Ivan Yarygin

Sadulaev and Snyder Win Second Yarygin Titles

Sunday, January 28, 2018 - 14:39 By

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KRASNOYARSK, Russia (January 28) -- Russian wrestlers capped off the third day of action at the 29th Annual Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix with three additional gold medals, bringing their tournament total to eight. The only two non-Russian wrestlers to capture gold medals were David TAYLOR (USA) and Kyle SNYDER (USA).

In this evenings first men’s freestyle bout, Khetik TSABOLOV (RUS) took the 1-0 lead after Zaurbek SIDAKOV (RUS) failed to score while on the shot clock. Tsabolov’s extended his lead to 3-0 with timely takedown that came off a single-leg in the second period, ultimately giving him the 74kg gold medal.

At 86kg, David TAYLOR (USA), 2017 Grand Prix of Paris champion wrapped up his day with back-to-back falls, winning his first Ivan Yarygin title.

Taylor evened the score up after Fatih ERDIN’s (TUR) two-point head- pinch. Taylor picked up his second takedown, taking the 4-2 lead half way through the first period. Taylor then caught Erdin on his back and secured the first period fall.

When asked about winning the Yarygin, Taylor said “Just to hear the national anthem almost brought tears to my eyes because I’ve envisioned hearing that so many times.”

In the 92kg gold medal bout, Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) used three takedowns to defeat Anzor URISHEV (RUS), 6-0. Sadulaev finished the day outscoring his opponents 26-0.This was Sadulaev’s first tournament win since dropping the gold medal bout at the 2017 World Championships. 

At 97kg, Kyle SNYDER (USA) added back-to-back Yargin titles to his resume, becoming the first American to ever do so. 

Snyder, the two-time world champion trailed in the first after being put on the shot clock. He went on to score four answered points, defeating Rasul MAGOMEDOV (RUS), 4-1.

In women’s wrestling, China capped off their impressive tournament by going five for seven in gold medal bouts, including going 2-0 on the third and final day.

Their sixth finalist, Juan WANG (CHN) used a four-point bodylock to defeat Masako FURUICHI (JPN) 4-1 in the 72kg final. WANG ‘s victory gave China their fourth gold medal of the tournament. China's fifth gold medal came when Qian ZHOU (CHN) was handed the 76kg  gold medal after Ekaterina BUKINA (RUS) injury defaulted.

FINALS RESULTS
74kg
GOLD - Khetik TSABOLOV (RUS) df. Zaurbek SIDAKOV (RUS), 4-1

BRONZE – Dovletmyrat ORAZGYLYJOV (TKM) df. Mandakhnaran GANZORIG (MGL), 9-0
BRONZE - Kakhaber KHUBEZHTY (RUS) df. Muhammet DEMIR (TUR), 10-0

86kg
GOLD -  David TAYLOR III (USA) df. Fatih ERDIN (TUR), 6-2

BRONZE –  Vladislav VALIEV (RUS) df. Zaur BERADZE (GEO),2-0
BRONZE - Artur NAIFONOV (RUS) df. Yurieski TORREBLANCA QUERALTA (CUB),2-1

92kg
GOLD -  Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) df. Anzor URISHEV (RUS), 6-0

BRONZE –  Yury BELONOVSKIY (RUS) df. Serda BOKE (TUR), 9-3
BRONZE -  Turtogtokh LUVSANDORJ (MGL) df. Nicholas HEFLIN (USA), 4-2

97kg
GOLD - Kyle SNYDER (USA) df. Rasul MAGOMEDOV (RUS), 4-1

BRONZE –  Vladislav BAITCAEV (RUS) df. Yunus DEDE (TUR), 11-0
BRONZE - Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB) df. Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL), 10-0

Women’s wrestling
72kg
GOLD -  Juan WANG (CHN) df. Masako FURUICHI (JPN), 4-1

BRONZE – Nasanburmaa OCHIRBAT (MGL) df. Tatiana KOLESNIKOVA MOROZOVA (RUS), 9-0
BRONZE - Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) df. Alena PEREPELKINA (RUS), 8-5

76kg
GOLD - Qian ZHOU (CHN) df. Ekaterina BUKINA (RUS),Inj def

BRONZE – Paliha PALIHA (CHN) df. Viktoriia FROLOVA (RUS), 10-0
BRONZE - Epp MAE (EST) df. Anzhela KATAEVA (RUS), 4-0

Development

Wrestling Enters a New Era in Southern Africa with Namib Storm and SADC Open Championships

Wednesday, August 13, 2025 - 13:57 By United World Wrestling Press

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WINDHOEK, Namibia — July 2025 The Namibian Wrestling Federation (NWF), in partnership with United World Wrestling (UWW) and Olympic Solidarity, launched a landmark initiative to boost wrestling development in Southern Africa: the Namib Storm Wrestling Week and SADC Open Championships, held from 30 June to 5 July 2025 at the Windhoek Showgrounds.

Speaking at the official launch in Windhoek, NWF President Colin Steytler emphasized the significance of this new chapter for the sport:

“This is where everything comes together — grassroots, elite, and development levels. It’s the most important step we’ve taken to date in bringing our strategic goals to life.”

A New Benchmark for Regional Wrestling Development

The week-long event featured two core components:

  • REDT – Namib Storm Training Camp (30 June – 3 July)
    This high-performance camp delivered Level 3 Coaching and Level 2 Refereeing Certification under the guidance of UWW instructors — a first for Namibia and a major milestone for the region.

“You can’t grow grassroots wrestling without qualified coaches,” Steytler noted.
Coaches and officials from multiple countries, including Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Mauritius, took part in intensive technical sessions.

  • SADC Open Championships (4 July)
    This tournament gathered elite athletes from Angola, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and beyond — many of whom are continental medallists. Importantly, the SADC Open became the first UWW-rated event in Southern Africa, enabling both athletes and referees to earn international exposure without needing to travel abroad.

“This changes the game,” said Steytler. “We can now compete regionally and still gain global recognition — this saves costs and boosts participation.”

NAMAttendees go through the Level 3 Coaching and Level 2 Refereeing Certification under the guidance of UWW instructors. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Beach Wrestling: Taking the Sport to New Shores

The week concluded on 5 July with a Beach Wrestling showcase, reinforcing UWW’s commitment to accessibility and outreach.

“Beach wrestling will be the only wrestling discipline featured at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal,” Steytler reminded. “And we are proud to host Namibia’s first-ever beach wrestling event in Swakopmund on 7 December 2025.”

Beach wrestling, requiring only sand and a rope, offers a practical and inclusive way to expand the sport into rural and underserved communities — a cornerstone of UWW’s vision.

Towards a Self-Sustaining Wrestling Future

The REDT initiative and Namib Storm programme are part of the NWF’s five-year strategy to develop a self-sustainable wrestling ecosystem, bridging the gap between grassroots and elite competition and aiming for future Olympic qualification and medals.

“The Namib Storm Week and SADC Open pull all of our strategic elements together,” said Steytler. “From here, we take what we’ve built back to the regions and expand wrestling further than ever before.”

This event highlights Southern Africa’s growing role in the global wrestling community and reflects UWW’s dedication to regional empowerment, education, and international competition access.