#WrestleTokyo

#WrestleTokyo Olympic Games Preview: 77kg

Thursday, July 22, 2021 - 12:52 By Vinay Siwach

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TOKYO, Japan (July 22) --Two-time defending Olympic champion Roman VLASOV's (RUS) reign as the top wrestler will be over after nine years. The winner of the gold medal in 2012 and 2016 failed to win the spot on the Russian team, which means a new Olympic champion will be crowned at this weight.

While there are many front-runners, this weight can very well be called the veteran's weight as seven wrestlers, all capable of winning a medal in Tokyo, are above the age of 30 years.

The top wrestler will be world champion and a silver medalist from Lond Olympics at 66kg Tamas LORINCZ (HUN). He won the gold in Nur-sultan to qualify but has struggled for consistency. Making his fourth trip to the Games, Lorincz, 35, will be expected to end the nine-year drought for himself. He has a silver medal at 2017 and 2018 Worlds and a bronze from 2014.

His recent performances do make him the top contender for the gold medal but in his path will be the experienced world champion from 2018 and another 35-year-old Aleksandr CHEKHIRKIN (RUS). He won the place after a special wrestle-off in Russia. He will now try to keep the gold medal in Russia.

But both will be checked by Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) as the world bronze medalist will also lay claim to the top medal in Tokyo. With his younger brother wrestling at 67kg, it will be a great moment if both brothers can medal at the same Olympics. For that, Geraei will have to go through Loricz as they are seeded fourth and first respectively.

At the World Championships in 2019, Alex BJURBERG KESSIDIS (SWE) stunned everyone by reaching the final. He defeated Geraei and Karpet CHALYAN (ARM) in the quarters and semis respectively. Since he is seeded second, he can have a potential rematch with Chalyan in the semis.

Kessidis will fancy his chances to win the gold as he only lost to Lorincz in the final and with the Hungarian finding it difficult to cut, it's a chance to make a name for himself.

That is, if he can go past Chalyan. The Armenian lost the Worlds bout 2-5 to Kessidis but avenge that loss will take him to the final in Tokyo. The former junior World and European champion has lost to Geraei.

Apart from the two youngsters, another young wrestler who can spring a surprise is Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ). Popular for his high-scoring bouts, Makhmudov has all the qualities to have a deep run in Tokyo. His youth along with the big throws make him a big threat. He has a win over Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) who will also be present in Tokyo. The 31-year-old was selected after he beat the qualifier and London Olympian Askhat DILMUKHAMEDOV (KAZ).

Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) will also present his case since being the world bronze medalist in Nur-sultan. A 82kg wrestler, Berdimuratov will have to manage his weight and the two-day weigh-in if he reaches the second day.

His action-packed wrestling has been a treat to watch at the recent tournaments and if can continue that, a lot of wrestlers will find it difficult to defend against him.

Two dark horses at this weight are Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) and Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE). Both qualified from the World Qualifiers in Sofia,

The Bulgarian is jumping up a weight as he wrestles regularly in the 72kg weight class while Huseynov has managed his weight cut so well that he looks like a fitter athlete than his previous self.

Most wrestlers at this weight are giving it a last shot so expect a lot of surprise wins and end of careers.

77kg
No 1 Tamas LORINCZ (HUN)
No 2 Alex BJURBERG KESSIDIS (SWE)
No 3 Karapet CHALYAN (ARM)
No 4 Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI)
Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB)
Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ)
Lamjed MAAFI (TUN)
Zied AIT OUAGRAM (MAR)
Yosvanys PENA FLORES (CUB)
Alfonso LEYVA YEPEZ (MEX)
Aleksandr CHEKHIRKIN (RUS)
Bozo STARCEVIC (CRO)
Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ)
Shohei YABIKU (JPN)
Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL)
Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE)

Development

Croatia continues to Train and Develop their Coaches and Referees

Tuesday, June 3, 2025 - 11:05 By United World Wrestling Press

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POREC, Croatia (June 3) – The Croatian Wrestling Federation continues to add educational activities for their coaches and referees. The previous year, they hosted a Level 2 course on the Introduction to Practice Planning. This year they organized a Level 3 coaching course on Periodization and Coaching Philosophy.  They also organized a Level 1 – Introduction to Referee course for their younger national referees. This year’s courses were conducted on 21-24 May in the beautiful city of Porec and was done in conjunction with Olympic Solidarity and United World Wrestling. 

The coaching course was led by UWW Educator Mr. Nenad Žugaj (CRO).  During the course, the 26 participants developed a better understanding of how periodization works when designing training sessions.  They were able to integrate those concepts and design their own plans.  The participants also focused on developing a coaching philosophy that they can use with their teams.

“The participants were active, I think they relaxed more and more every day and thus became more creative in their answers. I am pleased with the energy that prevailed and the positivity of the participants through jokes but also more serious topics.” said Mr. Žugaj  Eric, one of the coach participants said, “’I really liked the course and I would like to see such educations held more often. I especially liked how we, the coaches and referees, had joint lectures and assignments and were able to give opinions and views from different perspectives. I am looking forward to the next Level 4 course.”

CROParticipants look on doing the education courses held in Croaita during the final week of May. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

The referee course was led by UWW Educator Ms. Edit Dozsa (ITA). The course had 13 participants who focused on the fundamentals of being a good referee.  They focused on the evaluation of holds, how to properly start and end matches, proper referee mechanics, and keeping the athletes safe during bouts.  The referee participants were able to practice their skills through simulated matches and practical assessments. 

Both the coaches and referees had some working sessions together. They were able to analyze the roles of the coaches and of the referees. This helps give them a better understanding of the jobs that they do. They also discussed the importance of athlete safeguarding in wrestling.

“The cooperation with the educators Edit and Nenad was very good and successful. I visited the lectures on a couple of occasions and found them to be educational and interesting. The feedback from our coaches and judges was positive.” said Tin Bregović.

The Croatian Wrestling Federation also hosted a competition at the end of the courses. This competition allowed the coaches and referees to practice some of the skills that they had just learned during the course.