«Freestyling» in Donetsk

The Ukrainian championship in freestyle wrestling among men and women was held in sports palace "Druzhba" in Donetsk. The event is extraordinary, because such competition of this kind of sport was held in our city last century, 15 years ago.

Freestyle wrestling is the most noble, it is possible to say, elite and non-commercial kind of combat sports. Strikes, locks and chokes are prohibited.

The championship was supported by the Ukrainian Ministry of Family and Youth, Wrestling Association of Ukraine, the Department for Physical Culture and Sports of the Donetsk Regional State Administration. The tournament was organized by Donetsk regional wrestling federation, and the general sponsor was Financial and Industrial Corporation DMS.

Naturally, with such support the organization of the tournament was held at the highest level, and this fact was admitted by all guests of our city. Competitions were personally attended by Donetsk Mayor Aleksandr Lukyanchenko, chairman of regional sports Committee Victor Kirbaba, Chairman of Committee on Physical Education and Sports Vasily Bubka and many other famous people, including our famous compatriot, Olympic champion Ilya Mate. It was he, the honored wrestling veteran, who received thunderous applause from numerous audiences, gathered in the sports palace.

Participants also did not let down the organizers: 24 regions of the country sent their teams to fight at Donetsk carpets. Championship is essential for athletes, because it is a qualifying stage for the World Championship, which will be held in September in China. It should be noted that it was nearly the first time when the selection to the team was made according to the sports’ principle. The winners of the championship got the place in the team. Therefore, most fights can be called life- and-death ones. The only exception is last year's European champion Vasily Fedorishin, whose achievements proved his place in the team, and multiple winner of Europe and the world Tasoev, who is now ill.

However, there was one more important incentive at the tournament. For the first time organizers and sponsors of the competition established a prize fund. In addition to money awards, all participants received valuable prizes. According to the head team coach of Ukraine Ruslan Savlohov, this was the first time when the athletes were awarded with prizes and awards by organizers and not by wrestling federation.

"We consider that the prize fund on such status competition is not only appropriate but is also necessary: participants demonstrate great skills, principled struggle and real emotions. This deserves further encouragement", - commenting on the decision of organizing committee Andrey Alyosha, the DMS president, said.

Answering the question about the chances of the Ukrainian team in the China championship, R.Savlohov said: "Our team is one of the strongest in the world. Last year we won the European Championship, and for the current world championship we have only one task - to win at least 1 gold, silver and bronze medals. It is only in male contest. And we have talented girls. I want to thank for the warm reception and hospitality. In Donetsk the championship was held at the highest level. And I was pleasantly surprised that your Donetsk fellow will fight in the finals in the 120 kg category".

Andrey Alesha: "We are honored to be among the organizers of the championship of Ukraine. It is a very important event for Donetsk. I hope we did everything right, and the guests were satisfied."

Not only the organization was on the highest level, the athletes did not let down. On the first day of finals Elena Malyshkova became the winner in the category of 55 kg., Anna Vasilenko took the second place in the category of 63 kg, as well as the Artemovsk representative Nadezhda Sementsova (72 kg.). Also Roman Shelekeda occupied the second place in the competition in the category of 120 kg., and Anna Nikitina from Mariupol gained the bronze.

Our girls’ participation was terrific during the second day of the competition. Natalia Shepelev won "bronze" in the category of 51 kg. Following Natalia Olga Muhovskaya got the silver. Finally, in the category of 67 kg there was our victory. Valeria Zlatova turned out to be slightly better than Victoria Mlinarskaya.