#Grappling

World Combat Games Qualifiers: 12 Grappling Gi quotas confimed

Tuesday, May 2, 2023 - 12:50 By Vinay Siwach

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (May 1) -- On the second day of the World Combat Games Qualifiers in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 12 more quotas were awarded, following an entertaining day one.

Sixteen Grappling quotas were earned on Sunday, while Monday saw 12 Grappling Gi athletes book their tickets for the World Combat Games to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in October 2023.

The qualification process for the World Combat Games began in 2022 in Pontevedra, Spain, which also offered 40 quotas. The four highest-placed grapplers in each of the senior weight categories qualified for the World Combat Games in Saudi Arabia, scheduled for October 2023.

In Tashkent, the process is the same, and the first four highest-placed athletes in each weight category will qualify for one quota place for their national federation. However, if more than one athlete from the same country is ranked in the first four highest places in a weight category, only one quota will be allocated to the country. The remaining quota(s) will be reallocated in the same weight category to the national federation of the next best-ranked athlete who has not yet qualified.

With the deadline fast approaching, the national federations must confirm the usage of the quotas won by their grapplers to United World Wrestling at the earliest.

Men's Grappling Gi

71kg
Alessio SACCHETTI (ITA)
Feruzbek UROKOV (UZB)
Sandor LAKATOS (HUN)
Fierre AFAN (PHI)

100kg
Eldar RAFIGAEV (MDA)
Evgenii SLESARENKO (KGZ)
Azizbek SHARIPOV (UZB)
Guglielmo CECCA (ITA)

Women's Grappling Gi

53kg
Zhenishgul ABDYRAKHMAN KYZY (KGZ)

64kg
Zilolakhon MUHAMMADOVA (UZB)

71kg
Shynar UZBEKOVA (KAZ)
Bubusaira ABDILMANAP KYZY (KGZ)

#WrestleBudapest

Sharipov Sets His Sights on Dominating 125kg One Gold at a Time

Tuesday, July 14, 2026 - 21:01 By Vinay Siwach

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BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 14) -- Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) and Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) have just spent a couple of hours training on the eve the eve of Budapest Ranking Series. By the end of it, Sharipov has dictated the sparring. The 125kg wrestler clearly has edge over Tazhudinov due to his weight but he clearly looks more physically fit than his compatriot.

The two will step on the mat on Thursday at the Ranking Series tournament where medals will bring them vital ranking points for the World Championships. A year ago, Tazhudinov would have walked into any tournament as the favorite to win. In Budapest, that status has changed.

Sharipov, on the other hand, has quickly become the second best 125kg wrestler in the world and is the firm favorite to win gold on Thursday.

"I won the first ranking series and I want to repeat that result now in Budapest," Sharipov said.

After the official draw, Sharipov will open his campaign against Ulaanbaatar Open winner DINESH (IND) and a likely quarterfinal against Kazakhstan's young star Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ). European champion Giorgi MESHDESHVILI (AZE) will likely be the semifinal opponent.

Sharipov knows that a good run in Budapest will make him one of the favorites for the World Championships and more opponents will be keeping an eye on him. But the Asian silver medalist is waiting to get to his hands on Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI).

"As you said, I am now one of the leaders of this weight class so people are learning about me but I am ready," he said. "One of my tough opponents is Zare and when the World Championships comes closer, I will plan and find a way to wrestle him."

For Tazhudinov, it will be an opportunity to get a win back over Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ), who defeated the Bahrain wrestler at the Islamic Solidarity Games. Maintaining that he has fully recovered from his injuries, Tazhudinov is locked in for the tournament and later for the World Championships where he will look to win the title he lost last year.

"My goal is always the same. I come to win and this ranking series is not an exception. We have been through a good camp and the mat will show," Tazhudinov said. "I need to get 100 percent for the World Championships."