#BudaWrestle2018

Snyder, Sadulaev Move Closer to Rematch; Mukaida, Kawai Advance

Monday, October 22, 2018 - 13:01 By Andrew Hipps

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BUDAPEST, Hungary (October 22) -- Olympic champions Kyle SNYDER (USA) and Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) moved a step closer to a potential finals rematch with victories in the 97kg quarterfinals of the World Championships on Monday in Budapest, Hungary. 

Snyder, the reigning world and Olympic champion, was pushed early in his first match against Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL). He was trailing 3-1 at one point, but turned up his offense in the second period and pulled away for a five-point victory. Snyder then dominated his next two opponents, winning by technical fall over both Nathaniel TUAMOHELOA (ASA) and Abraham de Jesus CONYEDO RUANO (ITA) to reach tonight's semifinals. He will face two-time world bronze medalist Pavlo OLIINYK (HUN) tonight. 

Sadulaev, an Olympic champion and two-time world champion, was untested in the opening session, picking up three technical falls and outscoring his opposition 35-3. He defeated 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB) 10-0 in the quarterfinals. He now faces Elizbar ODIKADZE (GEO), who edged multiple-time world bronze medalist Aslanbek ALBOROV (AZE) 4-3 in the quarterfinals. 

At 70kg, returning world champion Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO) came from behind late in his last two matches to reach the semifinals. He had a close second-round match as he edged Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) 2-1. Salkaznov led most of the match until Iakobishvili took the lead with just over a minute remaining and held on for the win. In the quarterfinals, he came from behind late to defeat Ikhtiyor NAVRUZOV (UZB) 5-1. In the semifinals, Iakobishvili will face 2015 world champion Muhtarovitch GAZIMAGOMEDOV (RUS). 

Veteran Adam BATIROV (BRN) reached the 70kg semifinals with a dominant 10-0 technical fall victory over Devid SAFARYAN (ARM). He will meet two-time Olympian Andriy KVYATKOVSKYY (UKR) in the semifinals. 

It was a tough session for Iran as their two age group world medalists lost opening round matches and did not get pulled back into repechage. U-23 world bronze medalist Yones EMAMICHOGHAEI (IRI) was defeated by Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) on criteria at 70kg, while U-23 world champion Mojtaba GOLEIJ (IRI) lost by technical fall to Aslanbek ALBOROV (AZE).

In women's wrestling, Japan's world champions Mayu MUKAIDA and Risako KAWAI advanced to the semifinals at 55kg and 59kg respectively. 

Mukaida defeated Sofia MATTSSON (SWE) 6-4 in the quarterfinals at 55kg. It was a battle of past world champion as Mukaida won gold in 2016, while Mattsson was a world champion in 2009. Mukaida jumped out to a 6-0 lead, but Mattsson battled back before eventually falling short. She now faces junior world silver medalist Qi ZHANG (CHN). 

Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) earned a spot in the 55kg semifinals with a 4-2 victory over multiple-time world medalist Tetyana KIT (UKR). Winchester led 4-0 at the break. Kit used an arm throw in the second period to the cut deficit to two points but was unable to score again. Winchester will meet Zalina SIDAKOVA (BLR) in the semifinals. 

Kawai, the reigning world and Olympic champion, was unscored upon in two matches at 59kg. After a 6-0 victory in her first match over 2016 world champion Xingru PEI (CHN), she rolled to a 10-0 technical fall over Katsiaryna HANCHAR YANUSHKEVICH (BLR) in the quarterfinals. Her opponent in the semifinals will be Svetlana LIPATOVA (RUS). 

The bottom side of the bracket at 59kg will pit Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL) against Elif Jale YESILIRMAK (TUR).

The semifinals are scheduled to begin at 4:45 p.m. local time. 

Freestyle

70kg
Andriy KVYATKOVSKYY (UKR) vs. Adam BATIROV (BRN)
Muhtarovitch GAZIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) vs. Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO)

97kg
Pavlo OLIINYK (HUN) vs. Kyle SNYDER (USA)
Elizbar ODIKADZE (GEO) vs. Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS)

Women's wrestling

55kg
Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) vs. Zalina SIDAKOVA (BLR)
Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN) vs. Qi ZHANG (CHN)

59kg
Svetlana LIPATOVA (RUS) vs. Risako KAWAI (JPN)
Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL) vs. Elif Jale YESILIRMAK (TUR)

Development

Croatia continues to Train and Develop their Coaches and Referees

Tuesday, June 3, 2025 - 11:05 By United World Wrestling Press

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POREC, Croatia (June 3) – The Croatian Wrestling Federation continues to add educational activities for their coaches and referees. The previous year, they hosted a Level 2 course on the Introduction to Practice Planning. This year they organized a Level 3 coaching course on Periodization and Coaching Philosophy.  They also organized a Level 1 – Introduction to Referee course for their younger national referees. This year’s courses were conducted on 21-24 May in the beautiful city of Porec and was done in conjunction with Olympic Solidarity and United World Wrestling. 

The coaching course was led by UWW Educator Mr. Nenad Žugaj (CRO).  During the course, the 26 participants developed a better understanding of how periodization works when designing training sessions.  They were able to integrate those concepts and design their own plans.  The participants also focused on developing a coaching philosophy that they can use with their teams.

“The participants were active, I think they relaxed more and more every day and thus became more creative in their answers. I am pleased with the energy that prevailed and the positivity of the participants through jokes but also more serious topics.” said Mr. Žugaj  Eric, one of the coach participants said, “’I really liked the course and I would like to see such educations held more often. I especially liked how we, the coaches and referees, had joint lectures and assignments and were able to give opinions and views from different perspectives. I am looking forward to the next Level 4 course.”

CROParticipants look on doing the education courses held in Croaita during the final week of May. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

The referee course was led by UWW Educator Ms. Edit Dozsa (ITA). The course had 13 participants who focused on the fundamentals of being a good referee.  They focused on the evaluation of holds, how to properly start and end matches, proper referee mechanics, and keeping the athletes safe during bouts.  The referee participants were able to practice their skills through simulated matches and practical assessments. 

Both the coaches and referees had some working sessions together. They were able to analyze the roles of the coaches and of the referees. This helps give them a better understanding of the jobs that they do. They also discussed the importance of athlete safeguarding in wrestling.

“The cooperation with the educators Edit and Nenad was very good and successful. I visited the lectures on a couple of occasions and found them to be educational and interesting. The feedback from our coaches and judges was positive.” said Tin Bregović.

The Croatian Wrestling Federation also hosted a competition at the end of the courses. This competition allowed the coaches and referees to practice some of the skills that they had just learned during the course.