#development

Singapore hosts Coaching Course ahead of Beach Wrestling World Series

Thursday, June 15, 2023 - 15:55 By United World Wrestling Press

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SINGAPORE, Singapore (June 15) – The Wrestling Federation of Singapore in partnership with United World Wrestling hosted a Level 2 Coaching Course prior to the Beach Wrestling World Series Event.  With hosting a major competition for the first time in Singapore, it provided them a unique opportunity to also partner with UWW to provide education and to help develop their coaches.  The Wrestling Federation of Singapore has been very active in the past year. They participated in the courses and camps at the SEA Championships last December and recently participated in the SEA Games.  They have been looking to grow and develop the sport and this event provided a way to further develop their coaches.

The Level 2 Course was conducted by Mr. Zach ERRETT (USA) – UWW Education Manager.  The course had 16 participants (14 men and 2 women).  “The coaches in the course did an outstanding job! They were eager to learn, worked hard to improve, and showed great growth over the 5 days,” said Mr. Errett. 

SINGParticipants of the course go through an introduction and use of the seven basic skills in wrestling. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

The course was centered around many topics related to planning and delivering training sessions. The topics included improving coaching skills, introduction and use of the seven basic skills in wrestling, an introduction to performance analysis and how to use that in planning, theoretical framework to planning, practice plan activities, strength and conditioning within plans, and mental development of the wrestler. "Coaching is a transformative journey that unleashes the hidden potential within individuals, guiding them towards their own path of greatness. We express deep gratitude to Coach Educator Zach Errett and the UWW Development Department for their invaluable support in helping us achieve this remarkable growth. Zach's wealth of knowledge and impactful teaching style empowered our coaches with insights and experiences that resonated profoundly." Said Gabriel Huang, Director of Operations for Wrestling Federation of Singapore.

“It was extremely insightful and engaging. Thoroughly enjoyed the sharing sessions by the instructor as well as the other coaches so that we can learn from one another and improve on our individual coaching skills respectively,” said Caryl Li.

“Extremely informative and helpful for my journey as Coach. I now have tools and a greater network to fall back on if I ever face any challenges. This gives me the confidence and knowledge to tackle these hurdles,” said Christian Rodriques.

“Amazingly useful for everyone's future. I have learned way more than I expected coming in. I'm incredibly pleased with the course,” said Cassiano Laureano.

“Absolutely eye-opening! The course provided in-depth training on various techniques, strategies and coaching methodologies. On the other hand, the practical sessions allowed us to apply the concepts we learned. In short, I believe, the course was well organized and provided enriching experience,” said Ali Parvin

sinWrestling fans gather for the photo at the Beach Wrestling World Series event in Singapore. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

With hosting the Beach Wrestling World Series competition, it gave the Singapore Wrestling Federation an opportunity to promote wrestling to their community. During the competition and in between sessions, the coaches from the course delivered Wrestle4Fun activities. Wrestle4Fun is a programme to introduce wrestling through fun games and activities. In between sessions of the competition, the coaches were able to get kids out onto the sand in the field of play.  During that time, they played a number of Wrestle4Fun games and had an opportunity to learn about wrestling and beach wrestling.

“Overall, this was a great event!  It is always fun to work with many great coaches that are even better people. With the competition, it gave them a chance to really promote the sport to the community and children.  I am excited to see how they will continue to grow and raise the level of wrestling in their country," said Mr. Errett.

#WrestleAthens

U17 Worlds: Kostiuk ends Ukraine's wait for gold; Okonogi, Ismayilov upgrade

Saturday, August 2, 2025 - 18:21 By Vinay Siwach

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ATHENS, Greece (August 2) -- Artur KOSTIUK (UKR) ended a nine-year wait for a gold medal at World U17 Championships for Ukraine as he won the 80kg title in Athens, Greece on Saturday.

Ukraine has not had a world U17 champion since 2016 and a world champion in Freestyle since 2021. Kostiuk's gold was a double delight as he had won gold at European U17 Championships in June as well.

In the final facing Mohammadparsa KARAMI (IRI), Kostiuk was called passive and put on activity clock. He did not score in those 30 seconds but managed to get a takedown just before the break and led 2-1.

Karami was put on the activity clock in the second period and as he failed to score, Kostiuk's lead swelled to 3-1. Karami had 25 seconds to score two points but Kpstiuk kept his defense and captured the gold with a 3-1 score.

Ariah MILLS (USA)Ariah MILLS (USA) won the 48kg gold medal for the United States. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

That was the second loss in the final for Iran as it had suffered a loss at the 48kg weight class. That was the first final of the night on Saturday and Ariah MILLS (USA) gave no chance to Sina BOUSTANI (IRI) in the gold-medal bout.

While he was the one put on activity clock in the first period, Mills wasn't the one to defend. He had some fast re-attacks to stun Boustani. Mills gave up that activity clock point and as Boustani was setting up leg attack, Mills hit a counter and scored the takedown to lead 2-1 at the break.

Boustani had his chance to score reclaim the lead but Mills, who kept his distance, perhaps to have space to counter, got another takedown after a scramble. The U.S. wrestler managed to score a go-behind and two turns to win 12-1 and get the first gold medal in Freestyle for the U.S. 

Jinnosuke OKONOGI (JPN), a returning bronze medalist, upgraded his medal to gold and in style. Down 4-0 against Abdumalik JALOLDINOV (UZB) in the final, he scored one of the perfect five-pointers using the headpinch and over the head throw to lead 5-4 in the final minute.

This was not the only time Okonogi had to make a big comeback in Athens. In his quarterfinals, he defeated Zhakshylyk BOROBAEV (KGZ), 9-8, after scoring a takedown and turn in last 10 seconds.

Okonogi had a 4-1 win over Mohammadreza BARARI (IRI) in his opening match and an 8-2 domination of Greyton BURNETT (USA) in the semifinals.

Huseyn ISMAYILOV (AZE)Huseyn ISMAYILOV (AZE) celebrates after winning the 65kg gold medal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Silver medalist from 2024 Huseyn ISMAYILOV (AZE) got a anti-climatic 1-1 victory over Arseni KIKINIOU (USA) in the 65kg final and won his first gold medal after finishing with three silvers in three different championships.

Kikiniou was the first to get a point on board as Ismayilov was called passive. He failed to score in the 30 seconds and the U.S. wrestler got a point.

In the second period, Kikiniou was called passive and Ismayilov got a point and the 1-1 criteria lead. He had a minute left in the bout to defend his lead and Kikiniou threw every thing at him. However, Ismayilov defended with determination and won the gold medal.

Magomedrasul OMAROV (UWW)Magomedrasul OMAROV (UWW) held on to his 6-4 lead to win the 110kg final against LACKY (IND). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

The 110kg gold medal went to Magomedrasul OMAROV (UWW) who defeated LACKY (IND), 6-4, in the final. Omarov was down 2-2 on criteria at the break but he hit a stepout and Lacky was cautioned for fleeing, giving one more point to Omarov who now led 4-2.

Lacky tried to finish his leg-attacks but Omarov was quick to either defend or escape. During one of those attacks, Omarov managed to score a go-behind and got two points which made his lead 6-2. Lacky, with 17 seconds left in the bout, went for one final attack and scored a takedown. However, he was not able to turn Omarov which could have given him the criteria win.

Omarov defended the gut-wrench attempt and despite being in the air, did not turn more than 90 degrees. The win made Omarov an European and world champion in the same year.

RESULTS

48kg
GOLD: Ariah MILLS (USA) df. Sina BOUSTANI (IRI), 12-1

BRONZE: Islam RABADANOV (UWW) df. Ravan HASANZADE (AZE), 11-9
BRONZE: Dovudbek BAKHADIROV (KGZ) df. Masamune USHIMADO (JPN), 12-0

55kg
GOLD: Jinnosuke OKONOGI (JPN) df. Abdumalik JALOLDINOV (UZB), 5-4

BRONZE: Greyton BURNETT (USA) df. Mohammadreza BARARI (IRI), 4-0
BRONZE: Chingis SARYGLAR (UWW) df. Jovanni TOVAR (COL), 8-2

65kg
GOLD: Huseyn ISMAYILOV (AZE) df. Arseni KIKINIOU (USA), 1-1

BRONZE: Morteza HAJ (IRI) df. Gourav PUNIA (IND), 8-8
BRONZE: Adisbek ALTYNBEKOV (KGZ) df. Yeraly ASKERBEK (KAZ), 7-1

80kg
GOLD: Artur KOSTIUK (UKR) df. Mohammadparsa KARAMI (IRI), 3-1

BRONZE: Dinmukhammed KASSYMBEK (KAZ) df. Ivan PASLARI (MDA), 5-4
BRONZE: Issa ZANGIEV (UWW) df. Berat ERTURK (TUR), 5-2

110kg
GOLD: Magomedrasul OMAROV (UWW) df. LACKY (IND), 6-4

BRONZE: Hakim TAGHIYEV (AZE) df. Stefan STEFANOV (BUL), 1-1
BRONZE: Amirhossein NAGHDALIPOUR (IRI) df. Murtaz BAGDAVADZE (GEO), 11-0