#Yariguin2019

Three "Must Watch" Matches on the Opening Day at the Ivan Yariguin

Wednesday, January 23, 2019 - 18:48 By Eric Olanowski

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KRASNOYARSK, Russia (January 23) - The brackets for the opening day of freestyle and women's wrestling competition at first Ranking Series event of the year, the Ivan Yariguin, have been released and here are three potential matches that you can't afford to miss. 

1. 70kg Semifinal -  Magomedrasul GAZIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) vs. James GREEN (USA) 

Russia’s two-time world champion Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov has won a pair of world titles since 2015, and each of those world titles came at weights where James Green competed, yet these two have never met. 

Gazimagomedov’s first world title came in 2015 at 70kg where James Green finished with a bronze medal. His second first-place finish came last season, where Green, the returning 70kg world finalist, went 1-1 and failed to medal. 

For this semifinal to happen, each guy would have to win their first two matches.


For two-time world bronze medalist ERDENEBAT Bekhbayar (MGL) to earn his sixth trip to the world championships, he'll have to defeat fellow countryman TUMENBILEG Tuvshintulga (MGL) in the 57kg semifinals. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

2. 57kg Semifinal - ERDENEBAT Bekhbayar (MGL) vs.TUMENBILEG Tuvshintulga (MGL)

This match is quietly one of the most important matches of the weekend and could later be used as one of the determining factors for Mongolia’s Astana world championship selection process, and ultimately the Olympic Game spot. 

Erdenebat, a two-time world bronze medalist, has been the Mongolian go-to at 57kg for the last five straight world championships and the Rio Olympic Games.  But Tumenbileg, a 2018 world bronze medalist at 61kg, will be moving down to the Olympic weight with hopes of denying Erdenebat a sixth straight world championship trip and a second potential trip to the Olympic Games.

For this match to happen, Tumenbileg has to win his opening round match, then beat 2017 world runner-up Thomas GILMAN (USA) in the quarterfinals. 


Thomas GILMAN (USA), 2017 world runner-up returns to competition after missing out on a medal in Budapest.  (Photo: Tony Rotundo) 

3. 57kg Quarterfinal - Thomas Gilman vs. TUMENBILEG Tuvshintulga (MGL).

America’s 2017 world runner-up Thomas Gilman was a safe-bet to medal at the 2018 world championships after claiming at least a bronze at every competition he ended during his senior-level career. But something wasn’t right with Gilman in Budapest. His offensive production dipped nearly two points from his 2017 world championship campaign. Gilman average five points in Paris, but only averaged just over three points in Budapest and fell short of medaling for the first time in his career. 

Missing out on medaling will surely be a motivating factor for Gilman, but for his potential opponent, Tumenbileg Tuvshintulga, a trip to the 2019 World Championships rides on winning this match. 

*Please note that these are not official matchups and will only happen if both wrestlers win all of their matches. 

SCHEDULE (Local time)

January 24 (Thursday)
08:30 - Medical examination and weigh-in cat: Women: 50,55,59,65 kg Men: 57,61,70 kg
11.00 - Elimination rounds cat: Women: 50,55,59,65 kg Men: 57,61,70 kg
16.00 - Draw cat: Women: 53,57,62,68 kg Men: 65,79,125kg
17.00 - 1⁄2 finale cat: Women: 50,55,59,65 kg Men: 57,61,70 kg

January 25 (Friday)
08:15 - Weigh-in cat: Women: 50,55,59,65 kg Men: 57,61,70 kg
08:30 - Medical examination and weigh-in cat: Women: 53,57,62,68 kg Men: 65,79,125kg
11.00 - Elimination rounds and 1⁄2 finale cat: Women: 53,57,62,68 kg Men: 65,79,125kg  - Repechage cat: Women: 50,55,59,65 kg Men: 57,61,70 kg
16.30 - Draw cat: Women: 72,76 kg Men: 74,86,92,97 kg
16.00 - Opening ceremony
17.00 - Finals cat: Women: 50,55,59,65 kg Men: 57,61,70 kg

January 26 (Saturday)
08:15 - Weigh-in cat: Women: 53,57,62,68 kg Men: 65,79,125kg
08:30 - Medical examination and weigh-in cat: Women: 72,76 kg Men: 74,86,92,97 kg
11.00 - Elimination rounds and 1⁄2 finale cat: Women: 72,76 kg Men: 74,86,92,97 kg - Repechage cat: Women: 53,57,62,68 kg Men: 65,79,125kg
18.00 - Finals cat: Women: 53,57,62,68 kg Men: 65,79,125kg

January 27 (Sunday)
09:00 - Weigh-in cat: Women: 72,76 kg Men: 74,86,92,97 kg
11.00 - Repechage cat: Women: 72,76 kg Men: 74,86,92,97 kg
13.00 - Finals cat: Women: 72,76 kg Men: 74,86,92,97 kg

#development

Women's coaches and referees course held in Colombia

Thursday, April 24, 2025 - 12:59 By United World Wrestling Press

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RIONEGRO, Colombia (April 23) -- An unprecedented international course, exclusively for Spanish-speaking female coaches and referees, was held in Rionegro, Colombia from April 16 to 18.

Organized by United World Wrestling (UWW) with support from Olympic Solidarity, the event took place at the Recinto Quirama, gathering 33 participants from 15 Latin American countries.

The course was inaugurated by UWW Development Director Deqa NIAMKEY, UWW Sport and Development Officer Yuri Maier and member of the UWW Americas Executive Committee Fanny ECHEVERRY.

The educational sessions were led by Rafael GALVA LEBRON, an Olympic referee and member of the UWW Referee Commission, known for his passionate and dynamic teaching style and Raul TRUJILLO DIAZ, one of the most respected Greco-Roman wrestling coaches globally, recognized for guiding the legendary Olympic champion Mijain LOPEZ (CUB).

Throughout three days filled with camaraderie, learning, and solidarity, the participants engaged in integrated theoretical and practical sessions conducted in a shared venue.

This approach facilitated dynamic exchanges, ongoing dialogue between coaches and referees, and created a supportive and collaborative learning environment. The course activities included live simulations, technical analyses, motivational talks, and workshops on leadership and personal development.

Notably, the event featured motivational speeches by Jackeline RENTERIA, Colombia's two-time Olympic medalist and a leading figure in Women's Wrestling on the continent, and Jessica ECHEVERRY, President of the Risaraldense Wrestling League.

Both speakers emphasized shared experiences and the importance of women supporting each other beyond individual differences.

COLParticipants listen to United World Wrestling's Development Department's opening remarks. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

"This course was a significant opportunity to continue learning and to give back to the sport that has given me so much," Nes RODRIGUEZ (PUR) said. "Now, as a sports director, my goal is to inspire children and youth by showing them that sports can provide a life full of opportunities beyond any hardships."

Other expressed how motivated they were after attending the courses.

"It reminded me of the importance of never giving up, not only as a coach but also as a woman," Keliyojana VAZQUEZ (MEX) said. "I'm returning home with new tools to improve my work and appreciate myself more in every aspect."

"I leave with the commitment to build networks of support and communication among us," Paula GRAJALES (COL) said. "We are friends and colleagues who must unite to grow together and continue transforming our communities and the sport."

The pioneering course, aligned with the Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (GEDI) agenda of the International Olympic Committee, represented a historic milestone for women's wrestling in Latin America

The notable personal growth experienced by the participants confirmed that when women come together and put aside competition, they significantly amplify their transformative power, strengthening the future of women's sports in the region.