#kaspeuro2018

Stadnik Searches For Eighth European Crown

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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 

UWW Opens Dedicated Office for Grappling, MMA, Pankration in Lausanne

By United World Wrestling Press

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (July 6) -- United World Wrestling marked a significant milestone for Grappling, MMA and Pankration on Monday with the official opening of its dedicated office for the three associated styles at the Maison du Sport International in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The new office will serve as the operational hub for the continued development and governance of Grappling, MMA and Pankration within the UWW family.

The official opening was attended by UWW President Nenad LALOVIC, President of the UWW Committee of Associated Styles and UWW Vice President Rodica YAKSI, UWW Committee for Grappling, MMA and Pankration Vice President Adrian BAKOS, and UWW Committee for Grappling, MMA and Pankration Member Gaji GAJIYEV.

Michal BUCHEL has been appointed Head of the office and Tolegen KUMAROV, who was appointed Head of Grappling at United World Wrestling on February 21 in Baku, will also be part of the new office. He will be responsible, within the framework of the UWW Committee for Grappling, MMA and Pankration, for the strategic development of grappling worldwide.

Lausanne

In the coming days, a working group will be formed and will begin implementing key projects aimed at developing these disciplines.

The main objectives set by UWW for the committee will be the systematic development of Grappling, MMA and Pankration, the unification and strengthening of international cooperation, the support of national federations, as well as the creation of new opportunities for athletes around the world.

The office for the three styles is open to constructive cooperation with all organisations that are sincerely interested in the development of these disciplines, the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, and the education of the younger generation.

I is important for all international, continental and national organisations developing Grappling, MMA and Pankration to build relationships based on mutual respect, open dialogue and partnership. Sport has always been a universal language that brings people together regardless of nationality, culture or political views. 

By bringing together the experience, knowledge and collective efforts of the global sports community, it’s possible to ensure the sustainable development of Grappling, MMA and Pankration, strengthen their international standing, and open a new chapter in the history of combat sports.