#kaspeuro2018

Stadnik Searches For Eighth European Crown

By

KASPIYSK, Russia (May 2) – Mariya STADNIK (AZE) stormed into her eighth European gold-medal bout after defeating her first three opponents by technical superiority. Even more impressive, she did so without surrendering an offensive point. 

She’ll wrestle 2017 world silver medalist, Emilia VUC (ROU) in the 50kg finals on Thursday night. Vuc was 2-0 on the day and handled U23 world champion Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR), 13-3. 

This 50kg final is a rematch from the 2018 Klippan Lady Open where Stadnik defeated Vuc, 10-0. 

2018 European finalist, Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR). 

The 55kg gold-medal bout features the pair of 2017 world bronze medalists in Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) and Roksana Marta ZASINA (POL). 

Both of these wrestlers are no stranger to the European finals, as they’ve each wrestled for the gold medal at least once. Zasina, the 2013 European champion is wrestling in the gold medal bout for the third time, while Kurachkina still seeking her first continental title.

2016 Olympian, Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL).

Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL) and Elif YESILIRMAK (TUR) will clash in a match-up of 2016 Olympians for the 59kg crown. 

A bloody and bruised Hristova made her way to the finals by beating Belarus’ Katsiaryna YANUSHKEVICH in the semifinals. The 2016 European bronze medalist trailed by three points with seconds remaining when she scored a takedown and immediately went into a gut wrench, picking up the 7-6 victory. 

Yesilirmak who commanded the other 59kg semifinal used two takedowns and a passivity point to beat Svetlana LIPATOVA (RUS), 5-3. 

At 68kg, Koumba Selene Fanta LARROQUE (FRA), 2017 world bronze medalist advanced to the finals along with Anastasia BRATCHIKOVA (RUS). 

Yasemin ADAR's (TUR) crotch lift to defeat Vasilisa MARZALIUK (BLR), 3-2. (Photo Max Rose-Fyne) 

Superstars Yasemin ADAR (TUR) and Olympic bronze medalist, Ekaterina BUKINA (RUS) will battle for the gold medal at 76kg. 

Adar, the 2017 world champion clearly had the much tougher route to the finals. The Turk opened up the tournament by routing 2015 world bronze medalist, Epp MAE (EST), 10-0. She followed that win up by winning a rematch of the 2017 world finals with Vasilisa MARZALIUK (BLR), 3-2. 

Adar trailed the entire semifinal match when she took a desperation shot with under 30 seconds left. Marzaliuk tried to reattack when Adar locked in her crotch and tossed the Belarusian, scoring two exposure points. The match was tied when the final whistle blew, but Adar held the trump card and ultimatly won on criteria. 

RESULTS
50kg
GOLD - Emilia Alina VUC (ROU) vs. Mariya STADNIK (AZE) 

Semifinal - Mariya STADNIK (AZE) df. Kseniya STANKEVICH (BLR), 10-0 
Semifinal - Emilia Alina VUC (ROU) df. Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR), 13-3 

55kg 
GOLD - Roksana Marta ZASINA (POL) vs. Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR)

Semifinal - Roksana ZASINA (POL) df. Bediha GUN (TUR), 2-1
Semifinal - Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) df. Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL), 6-0

59kg 
GOLD - Elif Jale YESILIRMAK (TUR) vs. Mimi Nikolova HRISTOVA (BUL)

Semifinal- Mimi Nikolova HRISTOVA (BUL) df. Katsiaryna YANUSHKEVICH (BLR), 7-6
Semifinal - Elif YESILIRMAK (TUR) df. Svetlana LIPATOVA (RUS), 5-3

68kg
GOLD - Koumba Selene Fanta LARROQUE (FRA) vs. Anastasia BRATCHIKOVA (RUS)

Semifinal - Anastasia BRATCHIKOVA (RUS) df. Martina KUENZ (AUT), 8 - 1
Semifinal - Koumba Selene Fanta LARROQUE (FRA) df. Buse TOSUN (TUR), 4-3

76kg
GOLD - Yasemin ADAR (TUR) vs. Ekaterina BUKINA (RUS)

Semifinal - Yasemin ADAR (TUR) df. Vasilisa MARZALIUK (BLR), 3-2 
Semifinal - Ekaterina BUKINA (RUS) df. Sabira ALIYEVA (AZE), 11-0 

#development

Bringing Asia Together: OCA-UWW Wrestling Camp Concludes in China

By United World Wrestling Press

GUANGZHOU, China (July 15) -- The 2026 Olympic Council of Asia and United World Wrestling Asian Wrestling Youth Camp and Course for Coaches concluded at the Guangzhou Polytechnic of Sports on Wednesday, bringing together 62 athletes and 30 coaches from 30 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) across Asia.

Held from July 8-15, the camp also included 40 student wrestlers from the Guangzhou Polytechnic of Sports, providing additional training opportunities and a valuable platform for athletes and coaches to exchange knowledge and experience.

At the closing ceremony, participants received certificates of participation and commemorative gifts from representatives of the OCA, UWW and the Guangzhou Polytechnic of Sports.

Wrestling UWW

OCA Director of Family Relations & Development Programs Wissam TRKMANI thanked all those involved in organising the camp.

“This has been a wonderful camp and I would like to thank everyone who has made it possible," Trkmani said. "Wrestling is one of the oldest Olympic sports. It builds mental resilience, physical strength and personal discipline, providing a strong foundation for athletic development. The UWW educators have truly inspired the young athletes, and everyone worked hard to make this camp a success.”

Trkmani encouraged the athletes, aged 14 to 17, to continue pursuing their sporting ambitions and thanked the coaches for their commitment to developing young wrestlers across the continent.

Speaking on behalf of UWW, Bureau member, Olympic silver medallist and Chair of the UWW Athletes Commission Arsen JULFALAKYAN described the camp as amazing and encouraged coaches to share the knowledge and experience gained in Guangzhou with their wrestling communities at home.

Wrestling UWW

UWW Development Director Deqa NIAMKEY highlighted the importance of the camp for the future development of wrestling in Asia.

“This is the biggest youth camp we have hosted in Asia, thanks to the support of the OCA and all the National Olympic Committees and National Federations," Niamkey said. "Youth development is one of the main pillars of UWW development, and coaches are fundamental to that mission. This event not only provided an opportunity to improve technical standards but also allowed athletes to make friends and coaches to exchange experience and expertise, helping to build a stronger wrestling community across Asia.”

The camp combined athlete training sessions with a dedicated education programme for coaches, reinforcing the commitment of the OCA and UWW to developing wrestling through athlete pathways, coach education and international cooperation.