#DanKolov2019

United States and Ukraine Grab Lead Heading into Final Day

By Eric Olanowski

RUSE, Bulgaria (March 2) - The United States, on the back of their four-time world and Olympic champion Jordan BURROUGHS (USA), gained the 20 point advantage over the Russian Federation heading into the fourth and final day of competition at the Dan Kolov.  

Burroughs outlasted Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB) in the battle of reigning world bronze medalists and won the 74kg title. 

The American put the first points on the board, countering a shot attempt from Abdurakhmonov and gained control of the 2-0 lead. Burroughs surrendered a takedown but closed out the first period with a step out of his own, and led 3-2. In the second period, the Olympic champion scored an early step out and increased his lead to 4-2.  Burroughs gave up a fleeing the hold call with under 10 seconds left, but his one-point advantage was enough to give the United States their second Dan Kolov freestyle gold medal.   

The United States also had a second finalist in Jordan OLIVER. Oliver took on India’s returning world finalist Bajrang PUNIA in the 65kg gold-medal bout. The pair were even after the first period, but the Indian wrestler erupted for nine unanswered points in the final period to win the match, 12-3. 

Georgia’s Beka BUJIASHVILI (GEO) won the last freestyle gold medal of the day. In the 57kg finals, Bujiashvili upset returning world medalist and third-ranked Suleyman ATLI (TUR), 6-4.

In women's wrestling, Ukraine gained the 16 point lead over Turkey, thanks to reigning world bronze medalist Yuliia TKACH OSTAPCHUK's gold-medal performance in the 62kg finals. 

In the finals, the 2014 world champion prevailed over reigning world champion Taybe YUSEIN (BUL), 4-2, and captured her third Ranking Series title in the past two seasons. She also won the last year’s Poland and China Open’s, while also finishing in second place at the Klippan Lady Open. 

Tkach Ostapchuk, the four-time world medalist, led 3-0 after collecting an inactivity point in the first and high crotch in the second. But, she found herself fighting off a late flurry of attacks - one of which Yusein capitalized on and closed the gap to 3-2. A failed Bulgarian challenge with under 10 second left gave Tkach Ostapchuk a two-point cushion, and ultimately, the 4-2 victory. 

Turkey sits in second place heading into the final day of wrestling in Ruse. Yasemin ADAR, Turkey's 2017 world champion, scored a fall over China's Paliha PALIHA (CHN) in the 76kg gold-medal bout and handed Turkey their second gold medal of the Dan Kolov. 

Tamyra MENSAH-Stock (USA) was the second American Day Three champion, but her title-winning performance came in women’s wrestling. Mensah-Stock won her second consecutive Ranking Series title in dominant fashion, toppling Uzbekistan’s Bakhtigul BALTANIYAZOVA, 11-1, in the 68kg gold-medal bout. 

Mensah Stock led 7-1 after the first, then tacked on a quick takedown and exposure to reach the top of the podium at her second straight Ranking Series event. 

Wrestling resumes tomorrow in Ruse at 10:30 (local time). The Day Four finals will begin right after the completion of the repechages matches.

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Schedule

March 3 (Sunday) 
8:00 - Weigh-in 2 - FS - 86, 97, 125; GR (+ 2 kg) - 60, 67, 77kg; WW - 50, 53, 57kg
10:30 - Repechages - FS - 86, 97, 125; GR (+ 2 kg) - 60, 67, 77 kg; WW - 50, 53, 57kg
10:30 - Final matches and awarding ceremony - FS - 86, 97, 125; GR - 60, 67, 77 kg; WW - 50, 53, 57kg

RESULTS

Freestyle 

Team Scores 
GOLD - United States (110 points)
SILVER - Russia (90 points)
BRONZE - Turkey (80 points)
Fourth - Georgia (64 points)
Fifth - Uzbekistan (50 points)

57kg 
GOLD - Beka BUJIASHVILI (GEO) df. Suleyman ATLI (TUR), 6-4
BRONZE - Georgi Valentinov VANGELOV (BUL) df. Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB), 6 - 5
BRONZE - Armen ARAKELIAN (UKR) df. Zoheir EL OUARRAQE (FRA), 12-8 

65kg
GOLD - Bajrang BAJRANG (IND) vs. Jordan OLIVER (USA), 12-3 
BRONZE - Bernard FUTRELL (USA) df. Selahattin KILICSALLAYAN (TUR), 16-6
BRONZE - Niurhun SKRABIN (BLR) df. Eduard GRIGOREV (RUS), 11-0 

74kg
GOLD -  Jordan Ernest BURROUGHS (USA) df. Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB), 4-3 
BRONZE - Yakup GOR (TUR)  df. Mostafa HOSSEINKHANI (IRI), via fall
BRONZE - Frank CHAMIZO MARQUEZ (ITA) df. Ali UMARPASHAEV (BUL), 13-2 

Women’s Wrestling 

Team Scores 
GOLD - Ukraine (76 points)
SILVER - Turkey (60 points)
BRONZE - China (56 points)
Fourth - India (45 points)
Fifth - Sweden  (43 points)

62kg 
GOLD - Yuliia TKACH OSTAPCHUK (UKR) df. Taybe YUSEIN (BUL), 4-2
BRONZE -  PEI  Xingru (CHN) vs. Elis MANOLOVA (AZE), 4-0 
BRONZE - Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) df. Malin MATTSSON (SWE), 4-1 

68kg 
GOLD -  Tamyra Mariama MENSAH (USA) df. Bakhtigul BALTANIYAZOVA (UZB), 11-1 
BRONZE - Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) df. Agnieszka WIESZCZEK KORDUS (POL), 5-1 
BRONZE - Alla CHERKASOVA (UKR) df. Danute DOMIKAITYTE (LTU), 8-1 

76kg
GOLD - Yasemin ADAR (TUR) df. Paliha PALIHA (CHN), via fall 
BRONZE - Aline ROTTER FOCKEN (GER) df. WANG Juan (CHN), 7-2 

BRONZE - Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) df. Iselin Maria Moen SOLHEIM (NOR), 8-2 

#development

Italy Organizes UWW Level 3 Technical Course for Coaches

By United World Wrestling Press

CESEBATICO, Italy (February 9) -- A United World Wrestling Level 3 Technical Course for coaches was successfully organized in Cesenatico, Italy from January 5 to 9, 2026. The course was organized in collaboration with UWW and the FIJLKAM.

Organised after a international tournament, the course brought together 33 coaches from Italy and other countries, including Germany, Poland, Croatia and Ivory Coast creating a rich environment for technical exchange, professional development and international cooperation.

This tournament provided an important practical framework for the educational programme, allowing coaches to observe real competition situations, analyze match management and technical-tactical aspects, and directly link theoretical learning to high-level competitive practice.

The programme was led by UWW Development Officer Vincent AKA, with practical sessions conducted by Olympic Champion and UWW expert Komeil GHASEMI. The course followed the new UWW education pathway, focusing on advanced coaching competencies for high-performance environments.

Italy

The key topics in the course included coaching philosophy and leadership, advanced planning and periodization, pedagogical situations and match analysis, technical and tactical development, safeguarding, anti-doping and athlete protection and introduction to Beach Wrestling.

Both theoretical and practical evaluations were conducted, allowing participants to apply their knowledge in real coaching situations. At the conclusion of the course, all successful participants were awarded the UWW Level 3 Coaching Certificate.

"I want to thank everyone for this course, for what you did, and for how we got along together," Carmelo RICCARDO, a coach and participant said. "It was a wonderful experience and very interesting course. Thanks to the UWW and FIJLKAM for these important opportunities for growth."

The Italian Wrestling Federation provided high-quality facilities, with classrooms and training venues meeting international standards. All activities were centralized at Villaggio Accademia Cesenatico, ensuring optimal logistical conditions for both learning and training.

The course benefited from the continuous presence of national federation representatives, including the Technical and Sports Directors, as well as the participation of FIJLKAM leadership during the closing ceremony—demonstrating strong institutional commitment to coach education.

After the course, it achieved its educational and development objectives. The combination of high-level technical content, structured evaluations, international expertise, and strong human values.

The course not only strengthened the competencies of participating coaches but also reinforced Italy’s role as a key hub for wrestling education and excellence in Europe, contributing sustainably to the long-term development of the sport.

Sustainability

From a sustainability perspective, the use of the covered stadium contributed to the efficient organization of Beach Wrestling activities by optimizing existing infrastructure. By adapting a multi-purpose covered venue for Beach Wrestling sessions, the organizers limited the need for additional temporary installations, reduced logistical and environmental impact, and ensured continuity of activities regardless of weather conditions.

This approach reflects UWW’s commitment to sustainable event organization through the рационal use of facilities and long-term infrastructure legacy.