UWW

UWW President Lalovic Carries Torch at '22 Beijing Olympic Games

Monday, February 7, 2022 - 12:24 By United World Wrestling Press

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Photo Credit: International Olympic Committee

BEIJING, China (February 6) — International Olympic Committee Executive Board Member and United World Wrestling President Nenad Lalovic carried the Olympic Torch at the opening ceremony of the 24th Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

Lalovic, in addition to his obligations as an IOC Executive Board member, had great recognition on the opening day of the Games as he was one of the few bearers of the torch that lit the Olympic flame at the National Stadium.

“Being the torchbearer at the Olympics is a great honor and one of the most memorable moments for me, personally and professionally,”  Lalovic said.

The Olympic flame was later placed inside a giant snowflake and raised high above the ground, where it will remain lit for the duration of the Games — February 4-20, 2022.

“I wish luck and success to all the athletes competing in Beijing,” he said. “IOC and Beijing Organising Committee have been phenomenal in organizing these Games despite the challenges due to the pandemic. With the growing popularity of winter sports, these Games will be an inspiring moment for sports lovers around the world and in the Olympic Moment.“

Lalovic, who has been the UWW President since 2013, was also one of the bearers of the Olympic torch lit at a traditional ceremony in ancient Olympia in Greece. The Olympic torch for these Games was carried by some of the most celebrated athletes and public figures in China while only selected foreigners had the privilege of being part of this abbreviated ceremony.

Unlike previous Olympic torch-carrying ceremonies, the torch for the Beijing Games was carried for only three days in three areas of the Chinese capital. In the build-up to the Games, he participated in the IOC Executive Board and IOC Sessions held in Beijing before the official opening of this edition of the Winter Games.

#WrestleKonya

Iran dominates Islamic Solidarity Games with 3 golds

Thursday, August 11, 2022 - 20:42 By Ali Feizasa

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KONYA, Turkey (August 11) -- Iran finished the freestyle competition of the 5th Islamic Solidarity Games with three gold medals on the second day in Konya, Turkey. Overall, the nation ended with five gold medals while Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan achieved two gold medals each.

Opening the medal session was 2021 Asian champion Jahongirmirza TUROBOV (UZB) who claimed the gold after a dramatic win over Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE) in the final.

Jahongirmirza TUROBOV (UZB)Jahongirmirza TUROBOV (UZB) came from behind to win the 61kg gold. (Photo: Turkish Wrestling Federation)

Bazarganov led the 61kg final bout 5-0 but in the last minute, Turobov came from behind to lead 6-5. Bazarganov did score another point in the final 10 seconds but Turobov won 6-6 on criteria as his technical moves were superior to Bazarganov.

At 70kg, 2021 world silver medalist and U23 world champion Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) took the only gold medal for Kyrgyzstan in freestyle competition by edging Hossein ABOUZARI (IRI), 6-0, in the 70kg final.

Ahmad BAZRI (IRI)Ahmad BAZRI (IRI) won the 92kg gold medal in Konya. (Photo: Turkish Wrestling Federation)

But three Iran wrestlers held the country finish on a high.

In the 79kg final, Asian champion Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI) downed the host country's star Muhammet AKDENIZ (TUR). At the start of the match, Savadkouhi was surprised by a four-pointer from Akdeniz but soon controlled the bout with a takedown and two gut wrenches. The Iranian then continued to earn a 12-6 victory.

Ahmad BAZRI (IRI), the 2022 Yasar Dogu champion, collected the gold medal at 92kg with an easy win over Erhan YAYLACI (TUR). The Iran wrestler won the gold with a 7-1 win.

The third Iran-Turkey final was at the super heavyweight with Seyed Mehdi HASHEMI (IRI) wrestling Salim ERCAN (TUR). Hashemi helped Iran end with five gold medals as he defeated Ercan 8-0 and become the best team in the Games.

Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ)Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) became the 62kg champion. (Photo: Turkish Wrestling Federation)

Three women's wrestling weight classes were also contested on Thursday.

Two-time world champion and Olympic silver medalist Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) warmed-up to defend her world title with a gold medal at 62kg. She defeated Yarie CAMARA (GUI) 11-0 in the final.

Turkey and Azerbaijan won a gold medal each with Leyla GURBANOVA (AZE) winning the 53kg gold and Bose TOSUN (TUR) winning the 72kg title.

Gurbanov defended her gold medal from 2017 and won her bouts with ease. In the final, she wrestled two-time Asian Championships bronze medalist Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB) and won the bout 6-1.

Bose TOSUN (TUR)Bose TOSUN (TUR) won the home country's first gold medal. (Photo: Turkish Wrestling Federation)

World medalist Tosun ended the gold drought for Turkey by winning the 72kg title. After going through the bracket, she pinned Gozal ZUTOVA (AZE) in the final to claim the top place on the medal. She needed only 50 seconds to pin Zutova, using a double leg takedown and delighted the home fans.

Wrestling at the 5th Islamic Solidarity Games continues with Greco-roman and women’s weights on Friday.

Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ)Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) defeated Hossein ABOUZARI (IRI), 6-0 in the 70kg final. (Photo: Turkish Wrestling Federation)

Day 2 Results

Freestyle

61kg
GOLD: Jahongirmirza TUROBOV (UZB) df. Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE), 6-6

BRONZE: Recep TOPAL (TUR) df. Ali ABURUMAILA (PLE), 11-3
BRONZE: Majid DASTAN (IRI) df. Muhammad BILAL (PAK), 6-3

70kg
GOLD: Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) df. Hossein ABOUZARI (IRI), 6-0

BRONZE: Asgar MAMMADALIYEV (AZE) df. Dzhamshed SHARIFOV (TJK), 3-0
BRONZE: Bacar DUM (GBS) df. Zafarbek OTAKHONOV (UZB), 7-7

79kg
GOLD: Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI) df. Muhammet AKDENIZ (TUR), 12-6

BRONZE: Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB) df. Fetai EDDINE (ALG), 10-0
BRONZE: Gadzhimurad OMAROV (AZE) df. Meiir KOSHKINBAYEV (KAZ), 10-4

92kg
GOLD: Ahmad BAZRI (IRI) df. Erhan YAYLACI (TUR), 7-1

BRONZE: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) df. Abdimanap BAIGENZHEYEV (KAZ), 10-0
BRONZE: Bobur ISLOMOV (UZB) df. Mirlan CHYNYBEKOV (KGZ), 5-4

125kg
GOLD: Seyed Mehdi HASHEMI (IRI) df. Salim ERCAN (TUR), 8-0

BRONZE: Khasanboy RAKHIMOV (UZB) df. Zyyamuhammet SAPAROV (TKM), 10-0

Women’s Wrestling

53kg
GOLD: Leyla GURBANOVA (AZE) df. Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB), 6-1

BRONZE: Ellada MAKHYADDINOVA (KAZ) df. Vatansulton SHAKARSHOEVA (TJK), 7-2
BRONZE: Rahime ARI (TUR) df. Candra MARIMAR (INA), via fall

62kg
GOLD: Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) df. Yarie CAMARA (GUI), 11-0

BRONZE: Tetiana OMELCHENKO (AZE) df. Tantri HERLINA (INA), 11-0
BRONZE: Irina KUZNETSOVA (KAZ) df. Goudiaby SAFIETOU (SEN), via fall

72kg
GOLD: Buse TOSUN (TUR) df. Gozal ZUTOVA (AZE), via fall

BRONZE: Nour JELJELI (TUN) df. Ngiri NYEH (CMR), 11-4
BRONZE: Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) df. Sambou ANTA (SEN), 10-0