#WrestleTokyo

Steveson Stuns Olympic Champion Akgul; Mukaida, Sidakov Reach Semis

Thursday, August 5, 2021 - 08:14 By Vinay Siwach

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CHIBA, Japan (August 5) --- USA entered Kyle DAKE (USA) and Gable STEVESON (USA) as their biggest hopes to enter the final and do the golden double. After the morning session Thursday at the Makuhari Messe Hall A, only one has that chance.

Dake fell to his worst defeat at the international level, losing 10-0 to Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (BLR) in the 74kg quarterfinal.

The two-time world champion, known for his powerful lifts and throws, got a taste of his own medicine when he was tossed around by the Belarusian wrestler, earning him a semifinal spot against Frank CHAMIZO (ITA).

Steveson at 125kg was in a zone of his own as he defeated defending champion Taha AKGUL (TUR) 8-0 in the quarterfinal to keep his gold medal hopes alive at his maiden Olympics. He will face Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) in the semifinals. The Mongolian wrestler notched up a 6-5 win over Gennadij CUDINOVIC (GER).

Steveson's pace and athleticism was unmatchable for his two opponents as Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ) found out in the first match. The USA wrestler decimated him in the first period to win 10-0.

If he wins his semifinal he will face the winner of Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) and Amir ZARE (IR) who wrestle it out in the other semifinal at 125kg in what will be a big test for Iran's young star Zare.

World champion Petriashvili opened the day with a win over Diaaeldin ABDELMOTTALEB (EGY) before ending the bid of Zhiwei DENG (CHN) in the quarterfinals. It won't be a cakewalk for him in the semifinals as Zare has a win over Petriashvili back in 2018 when he pinned him in the Iran league.

At 74kg, apart from the unexpected loss of Dake, world champion Zaurbek SIDAKOV (ROC) took a step closer to the Olympic title as he reached the semifinal and will wrestle Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ).

Sidakov will have to wrestle his best against Kaisanov especially after giving up six points against Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB) in the 13-6 win.

Kaisanov ended local hopes as he pinned Keisuke OTOGURO (JPN) in the first round. He followed that up with a come-from-behind 8-5 win over Amr Reda Ramadan HUSSEN (EGY).

Kadzimahamedau had two of the most contrasting wins as he struggled to get past Jeandry GARZON CABALLERO (CUB) in the opening round. After leading, he gave up a big throw. But his crafty skills at the edge helped him secure a 12-8 win.

But against Dake, he managed to take the upper hand with two big throws from body looks which even Dake tried finishing but failed.

In the women's 53kg weight class, a fourth clash between Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN) and Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) will not take place as the latter suffered a loss via fall against Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (BLR) in the quarterfinal.

Phogat, who looked a shadow of herself from past tournaments, defeated Rio bronze medalist Sofia MATTSSON (SWE) 7-1 in the opening round but could not outperform Kaladzinskaya.

The Belarus wrestler's defence and power were too much for Phogat as she defended a tripod position denying the Indian two points which could have shifted the momentum for her. At 5-3 and time running out, Phogat tried her tricks and when trying to do a front headlock, ended up with her back on the mat.

Kaladzinskaya will face Qianyu PANG (CHN) in the semifinal. The China wrestler defeated Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) in the quarterfinals 6-2. The match was more or less decided in the first period when Pang got a takedown and two rolls with arm traps. Winchester's takedown in the end was not enough for her.

The last time the Pang and Kaladzinskaya met, the Chinese wrestler had a victory via fall but the Belarussian will like to avenge that loss and secure a place in the final.

The winner for the semifinal will get Mukaida or Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL) as they wrestle in the other semifinal. Both have looked in great shape going into this bout as Mukaida secured a 10-0 win in the first bout and then a 12-2 win over Roksana ZASINA (POL) in the quarterfinal.

Bat Ochir has also dominated her opponents as he began with a win via fall followed by a 15-5 hammering of Luisa VALVERDE MELENDRES (ECU) in the quarterfinal.

#development

UWW conducts pilot coaching course in Nigeria

Tuesday, October 24, 2023 - 08:02 By United World Wrestling Press

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YENAGOA, Nigeria (October 23) — After its success on the mat, Nigeria is leaving no stone unturned to grow wrestling off the mat as well.

United World Wrestling organised a Level 3 Coaching Course, approved by IOC, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa from October 15 to 19 after a Level 1 Training course.

Of the 21 participants, 18 completed the training process which took place at the national wrestling center located in Bayelsa. This center which is renowned for producing Nigeria’s best wrestlers including Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) and multiple time world medalist Odunayo ADEKUROYE (NGR).

The training, organised with the collaboration of the Nigerian Olympic Committee and the Nigerian Wrestling Federation, was an opportunity for the participants to achieve their maximum potential performance with applications of international guidelines and aiding Nigerian wrestlers in reaching their peak.

President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation Daniel IGALI stressed on the impact the training course will have on the coaches and referees, as well as the wrestlers.

"I must thank the IOC, UWW and the NOC as this is massive. As you know, the coaches and referees determine outcome of every federation,” Igali said. “I'm glad we now have Level 3 accredited coaches in Nigeria which means the level of instruction is going to be higher and I believe heading into Paris 2024 the contingent will be better prepared."

coaching

Three experts, fluent in various languages, were designated for this pilot project. The experts included lead Educator Vincent AKA, covering four languages (English, French, Spanish and Russian), second educator and coach Zac DOMINGUEZ and a third educator Ahmed KEDRI, who constantly supervises and supports all Arabic speaking countries.

"They will soon be great coaches,” Dominguez said of the participants. “All came with an open mind to learn. But wrestling is like a marathon and it's going to be a journey, so they'll have to keep learning and improving."

The content of the course were designed to best fit the participants by UWW Education Manager Zach ERRETT. The Level 3 Course focuses on Periodization and Building a Coaching Philosophy. Both of these topics are important for the development of coaches and to better develop the training.

Given the success of wrestling in Nigeria, Nigeria Olympic Committee President Tony NEZIANYA explained that selecting the wrestling federation for this training was a no brainer.

"We're pleased to organize the course because we have evaluated all the sports in Nigeria and thought that wrestling has best opportunity of making us proud and giving us that prestigious Olympic gold medal,” Nezianya said. “The wrestling federation has been impressive and winning a lot of medals and we think they deserve to have this course."

coaching

Kedri also explained the significance of the course for Nigeria and the growth of wrestling in the country.

“This course is very important for wrestling in Nigeria because it's a perimeter to empower their learning and I commend them for their active participation,” he said.
 
Oyinbrakemi KING, a trainee who attained the Level 3 IOC licence, expressed joy and gratitude.

"I'm short of words but I'm very happy,” King said. “I want to thank the president of the federation for providing us with a beautiful facility that made it possible for the instructors to come to Nigeria. I promise that we will continue to work hard and improve.”