Category: Wrestling

by Abhishek Shukla

Kougioumtsidis, Antim, Jafarov Crowned UWW Rising Stars of 2023 Following Stellar Performances

In a remarkable acknowledgement of emerging talent in the world of wrestling, United World Wrestling (UWW) has announced Georgios Kougioumtsidis, Antim, and Hasrat Jafarov as the Rising Stars of 2023, celebrating their exceptional achievements in the sport.

Georgios Kougioumtsidis, representing Greece, has been a force to reckon with, especially at the 2023 World Championships. He claimed victory at the U23 Europeans, secured silver at the senior Europeans, and showcased his prowess in Belgrade, earning him the title in Freestyle. His remarkable performance at the Olympic weight of 74kg, including victories over notable athletes like Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov and Tajmuraz Salkazanov, further solidified his reputation as a future star.

Antim, a sensational talent in women’s wrestling, has had a phenomenal year. The young Indian wrestler made a striking debut at the senior Asian Championships, where she won a silver medal. She defended her U20 world title and bagged a bronze at the World Championships at 53kg. In a remarkable display of skill and composure, she defeated top competitors like Dom Parrish, Roksana Zasina, and Jonna Malmgren. Her achievement in Belgrade was historic, making her the youngest Indian to win a medal at the World Championships. She continued her success by securing a bronze at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

Hasrat Jafarov, from Azerbaijan, has emerged as a prodigious talent in Greco-Roman wrestling. At just 20 years old, he has already made significant strides, marked by a silver medal at the World Championships in the 67kg category. Jafarov’s journey to stardom includes his first European title and a gold at the Ranking Series, positioning him as a prime contender for the Paris Olympics. His victories over wrestlers like Kristizan Vancza, Mohammadreza Geraei, and Slavik Galstyan highlight his potential and skill at a young age.

by Abhishek Shukla

Special Olympics Bharat athletes celebrate Children’s Day with WWE Superstar Charlotte Flair

14 November 2019, Mumbai: On the occasion of Children’s Day, 10-time WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair spent quality time with the children from Special Olympics Bharat as part of her India tour. Charlotte Flair, 30 children and five coaches from Special Olympics Bharat indulged in a host of fun indoor activities to raise awareness for Special Olympics at the ITC Maratha in Mumbai on Thursday, 14 November 2019.

WWE and Special Olympics are dedicated to creating a more inclusive and unified generation. WWE helps empower athletes of all ages and abilities to make great achievements and be recognized for their talents and accomplishments. Through this partnership, WWE also helps to celebrate the differences in each of us and educate and expand the reach of Special Olympics, the organization’s powerful message of inclusion and remarkable athletes to a wider audience through WWE’s worldwide platforms.

Charlotte Flair, had an enriching experience interacting with the Special athletes in Mumbai and was really happy to spend time with them and was touched by their heartwarming smiles.

“For me, the most important thing about being a part of WWE is putting smiles on the kids’ faces. It’s my second time in India and I am very excited to be here. I think sports is the one thing that unites everyone universally and it’s important to celebrate all children since they are the future,” said the WWE Superstar.

by Abhishek Shukla

Narsingh Yadav banned for 4 years, won’t take part in Olympics

Narsingh Yadav baanned by  Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on the urgent appeal filed by World Antidoping Agency (WADA). In a special session at Rio de Janeiro, a jury heard both sides yesterday between  13:00 and 17:00 and upheld the application of WADA which is banning Narsingh from wrestling for 4 years on doping charges.

WADA said that  Narsingh and NADA failed to prove Narsingh’s innocence in the case and hence all competitive results obtained by Narsingh Yadav from and including 25 June 2016 shall be disqualified, with all resulting consequences (including forfeiture of medals, points and prizes).

Read the full CAS report below;

 

Rio de Janeiro, 18 August 2016 – The ad hoc Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) at the Olympic Games Rio 2016 has rendered its decision in the arbitration between the World Antidoping Agency (WADA), the Indian wrestler Narsingh Yadav and the National Anti-doping Agency of India (NADA). WADA filed an urgent application before the CAS ad hoc Division to challenge the decision of NADA India to exonerate Narsingh Yadav following two positive anti-doping tests with methandienone on 25 June and 5 July 2016. The athlete asserted that he was the victim of sabotage (food/drink tampering) by another person. WADA requested that a 4-year period of ineligibility be imposed on the athlete. The CAS Panel in charge of this matter heard the parties and their representatives today between 13:00 and 17:00. At 18:45 today, the parties were informed that the application was upheld, that Narsingh Yadav was sanctioned with a four-year ineligibility period starting today and that any period of provisional suspension or ineligibility effectively served by the athlete before the entry into force of this award shall be credited against the total period of ineligibility to be served. Furthermore, all competitive results obtained by Narsingh Yadav from and including 25 June 2016 shall be disqualified, with all resulting consequences (including forfeiture of medals, points and prizes). The CAS Panel did not accept the argument of the athlete that he was the victim of sabotage and noted that there was no evidence that he bore no fault, nor that the anti-doping rule violation was not intentional. Therefore the standard 4-year period of ineligibility was imposed by the Panel. The full award with the grounds will be published on the CAS website as soon as it will be available.

by Abhishek Shukla

Sakshi Malik gives India first medal at Rio Olympics

Sakshi Malik wins first medal for India at Rio Olympics, when she grabbed Bronze medal in Women’s freestyle 58kg wrestling. She won 4 matches and lost 1 to win this coveted medal for her country.

Her style of play is a bit different from others as she observe her opponent in first period and doesn’t hesitate if she looses points in first period. but in second period we see all together different wrestler as she become too attacking in last minute of play. Most of her matches she won with this strategy in Rio.

In her first Qualification match she faced Johanna Mattsson from Sweden, Mattson is 2014 European champion i 60kg and bronze medalist in world championship in 2010, Sakshi defeated her in last 5 seconds after getting 2 points in last 3 seconds. In Round of 16 match Sakshi played against Mariana Cherdivara from Republic of Moldova, Shakshi was trailing against her till last moment by and won the match  on getting highest point from 1 move rule after match is ties 5-5 at the end of period 2.

In quarterfinals she played against Valeria Koblova from Russia, to whom Sakshi lost 2-9, but as Koblova reached finals of 58kg category, Sakshi got another shot at bronze medal and played Repechage round 2 against Pürevdorjiin Orkhon from Mongolia and won the match 3-1.

In bronze medal play-off, Sakshi played against Aisuluu Tynybekova from Kyrgyzstan, Sakshi won the match again in last moment by 8-5 and became the first female to win medal in wrestling.