#SportsDepartment

UWW Hosts Event Organization Workshop in Italy

By United World Wrestling Press

ROME, Italy (August 5th) – In continuation of United World Wrestling’s first Event Organization Workshop held in Panama City (21-24/01/2022) for the Americas, Italy hosted a similar workshop at the U17 Rome World Championships (22-25/07/2022). The workshop, which the UWW Sports Department conducted, was held to assist in educating the host cities for the upcoming World Championships, World Cups, and European and Asian Championships.  

United World Wrestling’s objective is to acknowledge tools and get a deep comprehension of the UWW Event Organization. This objective will help increase the quality of our competition's delivery and continue to ensure wrestling’s growth.

During the workshop, discussion topics included: the benefits of organizing an event, planning, bidding process, and functional areas, among many others. 

One differentiation from the workshop in Panama to the one held in Italy was the walk-through of the venue where the U17 World Championships were held.  

Also, one of the objectives is to encourage discussion among host NFs and share their experiences, especially with those that will host future events.

ITA
Participants from the Event Organization Workshop pose for a picture at the Palla Pellicone, the arena where the U17 World Championships were held. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

In addition to the arena work through and workshop, the participants had the chance to speak with the different commissions that were working at the event. These activities helped make the workshop more useful for all participants. 

Following the workshop's conclusion, participants completed a short survey, providing valuable feedback that’ll be utilized in the planning of UWW’s next Event Organization Workshop editions.  

 "I liked the positive energy of everyone who participated in the seminar. I also appreciated the group's interest and the instructor's willingness to help," one participant said. 

Thanks to the participant's experience, the open dialogues generated during the sessions benefited everyone. They showed different points of view while opening diverse discussions that will help in the decision-making process and organization of upcoming events.

#WrestleBelgrade

Japan puts four in World Championships finals

By Vinay Siwach

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 19) -- A few legends of the sport have fallen at this World Championships in Belgrade and Adeline GRAY (USA) joined that unwanted list as Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) defeated her in the quarterfinals at 76kg.

Gray, coming back to wrestling after giving birth to twins, was looking to become a seven-time world champion which would have made her the United States' most successful wrestler. But Kagami ruined that plan by etching a 4-1 win after two takedowns against Gray's one point in the activity period.

Kagami then return to beat Milaimys MARIN (CUB) 5-1 and confirm her ticket to Paris Olympics as Japan will be sending the medalist from the World Championships directly to the 2024 Games.

"I was very excited and nervous for the Gray bout," Kagami said. "But I think I came prepared to win the match."

Kagami will take on Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) for the gold medal as the Kyrgyzstan wrestler defeated Tatiana RENTERIA (COL), another Pan-Am star, via fall in the other semifinal.

Yui SUSAKI (JPN)Yui SUSAKI (JPN) managed to win 4-2 against Ziqi FENG (CHN). (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

While she did not lose, Yui SUSAKI (JPN) had a rare off day on the mat as her opponents managed to score three points on her in two bouts. The first was Alisson CARDOZO (ECU) who scored a stepout before Susaki punished her with a leg lace. Susaki pinned Emilia VUC (ROU) in the quarterfinals.

Ziqi FENG (CHN) pushed Susaki to the limits, even scoring exposure over Susaki, but the Tokyo Olympic champion hung on for a 4-2 win and an automatic ticket to Paris where she will look to defend her title.

Susaki, who failed to hold her tears back in an interview, said that it was a tough bout but she was prepared.

"The Chinese wrestler was strong in defense and power," Susaki said. "Before this tournament, I was in a difficult situation which I will talk about only after gold medal tournament."

In a repeat of last year's final, Susaki will take on Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) who now has a 2-1 head-to-head record over Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA).

Dolgorjav defeated Hildebrandt 7-5 in a rematch of last year's semifinal also won by Dolgorjav. Hildebrandt had won by technical superiority when the two met in the Ranking Series in Budapest.

Hildebrandt's loss also means that Mariya STADNIK (AZE), who lost to the USA wrestler, will have to travel to another Olympic Qualifiers to secure a trip to  Paris.

Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN)Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) beat Helen MAROULIS (USA) for the second straight year. (Photo: Amirreza Aliasgari)

In the third Olympic weight class of the day, Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) also confirmed her ticket to Paris after beating (and also spoiled her birthday) Rio Olympic champion Helen MAROULIS (USA) 6-0 in the semifinal. This was her second win over the American as Sakurai won the final last year over Maroulis.

But a tought test awaits her in the final as 59kg world champion Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) dropped to the Olympic weight and dominated her opponents.

She opened with a win over Olympic bronze medalist Evlina NIKOLOVA (BUL) and then went on to beat Odunayo ADEKUROYE (NGR) 10-0 in the quarterfinals. Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR) was no match as Nichita once again won 10-0.

Nonoka OZAKI (JPN)Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) reached the 65kg final at the World Championships. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

In the only non-Olympic weight class in action on Tuesday, 62kg world champion Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) returned to the world finals, this year at 65kg. She beat Tatsiana PAULAVA 10-0 in what was her third win of the day, all without giving up a point.

Macey KILTY (USA) will try to stop her from winning the gold for a second straight year.