The Russian freestyle wrestling team won the World Cup that was held in Yakutsk on 16–17 March. The 2018 World Cup featured eight teams competing in the top team-based tournament of the year. In the group stage, the Russian team defeated Cuba 9:1, Japan 8:2, and Turkey 10:0. In the final, the Russians defeated Iran 9:1. The U.S. team finished third.
The Russian team won the World Cup for the first time since 2011. For Yakutia, the World Cup marked the first time it had hosted an Olympic sport tournament with such a high status. The bid to host the tournament was initiated by Head of Yakutia Aisen Nikolayev, who also headed the tournament’s organizing committee. The World Cup was held with the support of the Roscongress Foundation. United World Wrestling President Nenad Lalovic, who is also a member of the IOC Executive Committee, took part in the opening and award ceremonies. «The level of organization in Yakutia exceeded all expectations. There was a fantastic level of hospitality for all teams and a unique atmosphere in the hall. Fans became the soul and engine of the World Cup», the UWW president said.
The World Cup was the third biggest wrestling tournament that took place in Russia over the last year and a half with the Roscongress Foundation’s support. In 2018, Kaspiysk hosted the European Championship, while Perm hosted the World Veterans Championship. The Russian Wrestling Federation will also bid to have the 2022 World Cup in Krasnoyarsk in the near future.
«For the UWW, it is crucial that major tournaments are not only held in capitals, but also in regions where people truly love wrestling. It is important that the required level of organization was achieved in Kaspiysk, Perm, and Yakutsk. This is largely due to the organizers’ cooperation with the Roscongress Foundation, which has unique experience in holding major economic forums and other projects. The operator established cooperation between the UWW, the Russian Wrestling Federation, and regions that had not previously hosted events at this level. This is extremely interesting and useful organizational experience. As for Krasnoyarsk, everyone knows and reveres Ivan Yarygin. They remember how he hosted the World Championships in 1997. Many teams come to the Grand Prix named after Yarygin. Krasnoyarsk acquired modern infrastructure for the Winter Universiade 2019. These are all very strong arguments [in its favour], but we still do not know who else will be competing for 2022. As always, the decision will be made through voting by the UWW Executive Committee», Lalovic said.
