#Yariguin2019

Sadulaev to Sit out Ivan Yariguin

By Eric Olanowski

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (January 5) -- Gaidar GAIDAROV (RUS), the “Senior Coach of the Dagestan National Wrestling Team,” has confirmed to United World Wrestling that three-time world and Olympic champion Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) will sit out of the first Ranking Series event of the year, the Ivan Yariguin. Gaidarov simply told UWW “No, he will not be wrestling in Krasnoyarsk.” 

The news of Sadulaev not competing comes five days before registration closes, and 20 days before the first whistle at the Ivan Yariguin, which is often referred to as the “Toughest Wrestling Tournament in the World.”

Sadualev not making the trip to Krasnoyarsk eliminates the potential “Round 3” matchup with the two-time world and Olympic champion Kyle SNYDER (USA) after the pair split the 2017 and 2018 world finals. “Captain America” was victorious in 2017, but the “Russian Tank” got his revenge in 2018, pinning Snyder one minute into the 97kg gold-medal bout. 

The duo of superstars have recently gone back and forth on Instagram teasing a potential third match at the Ivan Yariguin. 

First, it was Snyder who tagged Sadulaev in a  post captioned, “Round 3. Let's do it. Krasnoyarsk, Russia." 

Sadulaev quickly responded, saying, ”Buddy Snyder, I understand your condition, but I advise you to approach the trilogy with a cool head. And then suddenly the psyche will suffer. On the way to Tokyo 2020, we will meet again.”

With the news of Sadulaev sitting out of the Yariguin, it looks like we’ll have to wait until the 2019 World Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, for the third match-up. 

The Ivan Yariguin begins on January 24 and is the first Ranking Series for freestyle and women’s wrestling. 

#UnitedWorldWrestling

UWW and European University Sports Association Sign MoU

By United World Wrestling Press

POREC, Croatia (June 2) -- United World Wrestling (UWW) and The European University Sports Association (EUSA) formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two organisations in Porec, Croatia on May 30.

The MoU was officially signed by the two presidents: UWW President Nenad LALOVIC and EUSA President Haris PAVLETIC at an official signing ceremony. The MoU marks a commitment by EUSA and UWW to cooperate to further university sport, specifically in wrestling across Europe, and to explore the possibilities of working closer together, including on the potential of EUSA Wrestling events in the future.

Both presidents expressed their pleasure to formalise the cooperation, and excitement for the future of wrestling in European university sport.

The MoU was signed on the occasion of the “Unisport HR Finals”, the finals of the Croatian University Sport competitions, and a range of UWW Wrestling events, including the Beach Wrestling World Series, which all took place in the Croatian city.

“The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with United World Wrestling marks an important milestone in strengthening cooperation between international sport federations and the university sport movement," EUSA President Pavletic said. "We are particularly pleased to welcome wrestling into the EUSA Combat Sport Championships starting from 2027 in La Nucia, Spain, creating new opportunities for student-athletes to compete, develop, and promote the values of excellence, respect, and fair play."

The EUSA delegation was additionally represented by Vice President Aitor Canibe SANCHEZ, Secretary General / CEO  Matjaz PECOVNIK, and Director of Sports Events Liam SMITH.

About United World Wrestling:
United World Wrestling is the international governing body for the sport of wrestling, recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Headquartered in Corsier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland, UWW oversees Olympic wrestling disciplines, including Freestyle, Greco-Roman, and Women’s Wrestling, as well as associated styles such as Grappling, Pankration, Belt Wrestling, and Beach Wrestling. UWW works with national federations worldwide to promote, regulate, and develop the sport at all levels.

About EUSA:
EUSA organises European Universities Games and European Universities Championships across 25 sports, attracting more than 6,000 participants from over 500 universities each year. (eusa.eu)