#BudaWrestle2018

Surkov Dominates Stefanek to Win Gold, Basar Repeats

By Andrew Hipps

BUDAPEST, Hungary (October 27) -- Artem SURKOV (RUS) capped off a strong year by winning his first Greco-Roman world title with dominating victory over Olympic champion Davor STEFANEK (SRB) on Saturday at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. 

The 25-year-old Russian scored his first two points off passivity calls -- one in each period -- before executing a side lift throw for points in the second period. A failed challenge would give Surkov his seventh point for a 7-0 shutout victory over Stefanek.

This year, Surkov claimed gold medals at several events, including the European Championships, Ljubomir Ivanovic Gedza International, Kristjan Palusalu Memorial and Ivan Poddubny Tournament. 

Surkov was one of two gold medalists for Russia on Saturday. The other Russian to win gold in Greco-Roman on Saturday was Sergey EMELIN (RUS) at 60kg. 

Emelin, like Surkov, was dominant in the finals. He used two four point moves on his way to a 10-1 technical fall over Victor CIOBANU (MDA) in the gold-medal match at 60kg. 

The Russian threw Ciobanu for four points just 15 seconds into the match to grab an early 4-0 lead. In the second period, after the Moldovan scored with a step out, Emelin used a pinch headlock to score four more points. He then ended the match with a gut wrench. 

Emelin was unchallenged throughout the competition, outscoring his opposition 44-1 in five matches. 

Metehan BASAR (TUR) repeated as a world champion by defeating 2016 Olympic silver medalist Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) 2-1 at 87kg in the final gold-medal match on Saturday. 

All three points scored in the 87kg gold-medal match came from passivity calls. Beleniuk scored the first point and led 1-0 at the break. But Basar controlled the action in the final period, scoring two passivity points to take the victory. 

Bronze medals at 60kg were won by Sailike WALIHAN (CHN) and Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ). Walihan rolled to a 9-0 technical fall over Kristian FRIS (SRB) After a scoreless first minute, Walihan finished the match with a five-point throw. Sultangali edged Se Ung RI (PRK) 1-1.

Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) showcased a strong par terre game as he cruised to a 9-0 technical fall in the first bronze-medal match at 67kg. Gevorg SAHAKYAN (POL) blanked Danijel JANECIC (CRO) 7-0 for the other bronze medal at 67kg. 

At 87kg, Roberti KOBLIASHVILI (GEO) won his second straight world bronze medal by topping Bekkhan OZDOEV (RUS). Artur SHAHINYAN (ARM) pulled away late to defeat Islam ABBASOV (AZE) 7-1 for the other bronze medal at 87kg. 

Russia leads in the Greco-Roman team standings with 103 points, while Turkey sits in second place with 75 points. Azerbaijan (54), Hungary (53) and Armenia (46) round out the top five teams.

Finals Results

Greco-Roman

60kg
GOLD: Sergey EMELIN (RUS) df. Victor CIOBANU (MDA) by VSU1, 10-1
BRONZE: Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) df. Se Ung RI (PRK) by VPO1, 1-1
BRONZE: Sailike WALIHAN (CHN) df. Kristian FRIS (SRB) by VSU, 9-0

67kg
GOLD: Artem SURKOV (RUS) df. Davor STEFANEK (SRB) by VPO, 7-0
BRONZE: Gevorg SAHAKYAN (POL) df. Danijel JANECIC (CRO) by VPO, 7-0
BRONZE: Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) df. Mamadassa SYLLA (FRA) by VSU, 9-0

87kg
GOLD: Metehan BASAR (TUR) df. Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) by VPO1, 2-1
BRONZE: Roberti KOBLIASHVILI (GEO) df. Bekkhan OZDOEV (RUS) by VPO1, 4-2
BRONZE: Artur SHAHINYAN (ARM) df. Islam ABBASOV (AZE) by VPO1, 6-1
 

#WrestleTirana

UWW holds 2024 Congress, three women elected to Bureau

By United World Wrestling Press

TIRANA, Albania (October 27) -- United World Wrestling held its Congress in Tirana on Sunday, on the sidelines of the World Championships in Non-Olympic Weight Classes.

The Congress touched upon topics related to the Paris 2024 Olympics, the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, the budget, the calendar for 2025 and the prospect of launching a UWW Pro League.

Different commission of UWW presented their reports for 2024 and Amateur MMA and Pankration.

The elections for Bureau and Vice Presidents were also held with at least two new women Bureau members. In the elections held on Sunday in Tirana, five Bureau members were due for re-election, with four being re-elected.

UWWFrom left to right: Peter BASCA, Buyandelger PELJEE, Pedro SILVA, Cholpon SULTANBEKOVA, Natalia YARAGUINA and Zamel AL SHAHRANI. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Women ruled the elections with one new Vice President and two new Bureau members were elected.

Pedro SILVA, Peter BASCA, Zamel AL SHAHRANI and Natalia YARAGUINA were re-elected in the Bureau. Bruce BAUMGARTNER was the newly elected member of the Bureau.

Since two new Bureau members could not be elected in the first round of elections, a second round was held, in which the two highest-placed candidates earned elections. Buyandelger PELJEE and Cholpon SULTANBEKOVA earned the most votes, collecting their Bureau spot.

UWW Bureau member and President of UWW Associated Styles Rodica YAKSI and Bureau member and President of African Council Fouad MESKOUT were elected as Vice Presidents in the first meeting of the newly elected Bureau.

Mikhail MAMIASHVILI, Natalia YARAGUINA, Theodoros HAMAKOS and Akhroldjan RUZIEV were re-elected as Vice Presidents.

UWW Vice President Stan DZIEDZIC was not eligible for re-election, as he reached his term limit according to the UWW Constitution. However, he was made the Honorary Vice President of UWW on Monday.