Romania and Georgia Dominate First Stop of Beach Wrestling World Series

CHAVES, Portugal (March 30) – Georgia and Romania asserted themselves as the world’s premier beach wrestling nations Saturday in Chaves as they combined to win 6 of 8 gold medals in men’s and women’s wrestling.

The Georgian squad was led by 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Dato MARSAGISHVILI who dominated the -90kg competition over the course of the two-day competition to take gold. Marsagishvili was also awarded “Best Move of the Tournament” after back-arching his quarterfinal opponent for what fans thought was the most spectacular technique of the weekend.

“I’m very happy to be involved in beach wrestling,” said Marsagishvili. “This is my first time and I was really excited to win. Beach wrestling is amazing it’s like a celebration atmosphere, which had me smiling.”

Levan KELEKHSASHVILI (60kg) and Davit KHUTSISHVILI (80kg) also took home gold medals for their efforts, each winning 3-0 in their finals bouts.

Team Georgia would have won all four medals, were it not for Iannis KARGIOTAKIS (GRE) who used a front head pinch to twist an undersized Mamuka KORDZAIA (GEO) for a match-ending three-point move in the semifinals to earn a spot in the afternoon’s finals.

Kargiotakis’ upset run finally ended in the finals when Azeri big man Oyan NAZARIANI (AZE) used a series of underhooks and snap downs for three one-point moves and the +90kg title.

On the women’s side the Romanians — who won four gold medals at the 2018 World Championships in Dalyan — were once again tops in their division, winning three of the event’s four women’s categories.

The small European nation was led by Georgiana FILIP (60kg) who used two takedowns and a three-point throw in the finals to win her title, 5-0.

“We are used to mat wrestling, but we also practice a lot for the beach events,” said Filip. “We are focused on qualification for the World Beach Games and hope to be in Rio for the next World Beach Series event.”

The Romanian squad, who is also competing next week at the 2019 European Championships in the Olympic style of women’s wrestling, were boosted by a workwoman-like performance of 50kg megastar Stefania PRICEPUTU. Though shorter than most her opponents, Priceputu used a combination of intensity, heavy hand pressure and snap downs to earn the gold and 1000 CHF.

Greece earned the +70kg title with a comeback performance by Aikaterini PITSIAVA, who trailed 2-0 late in her match with Diana VLASCEANU, but bullied her way to a 3-2 gold medal.

The next stop on the Beach Wrestling World Series will be May 10-11 in Rio de Janerio. The points from the Chaves and Rio stops will determing which wrestlers and nations qualify for the 2019 ANOC World Beach Games in October.

The Beach Wrestling World Series can viewed live on FloWrestling.org. Fans and athletes can also follow the Beach Wrestling World Series on InstagramFacebookYouTube, and Twitter

Men’s Beach Wrestling

 

CULLED FROM:

 

https://unitedworldwrestling.org/article/nigerian-women-nab-five-african-golds-egypt-grabs-six-gr-titles

 

Nigerian Women Nab Five African Golds, Egypt Grabs Six GR Titles

HAMMAMET, Tunisia (March 30) – For the third consecutive year, Nigerian women ignited for at least five African gold medals and nabbed the women’s wrestling team title. Nigeria’s women, who finished with 195 points, swiped medals in nine of ten weights and had five wrestlers reach the top of the podium at the African Championships in Hammamet, Tunisia.

The five Nigerian gold medalists were Miesinnei GENESIS (50kg), Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (57kg), Sunmisola BALOGUN (65kg), Blessing OBORUDUDU (68kg), and Blessing ONYEBUCHI (76kg).

Odunayo Adekuroye, the 2017 world silver medalist, was the only Nigerian wrestler to win a non-Nordic style bracket. In the 57kg finals, Adekuroye used a cross-ankle pick to score the 29-second fall over Cameroon’s Joseph ESSOMBE TIAKO, picking up her fourth consecutive continental title.

The other four gold medalists won their titles by going undefeated in the round robin competitions.

 

 

Meanwhile, the host nation of Tunisia (177 points), led by their 2016 Rio Olympic bronze medalist Marwa AMRI finished in second place with a pair of champions. Tunisia’s two winners were Amri and Faten HAMMAMI.

In what was expected to be the women’s wrestling bout of the night, 62kg, Amri dumped Aminat ADENIYI (NGR) to her back and scored the early first-period fall. Amri’s title-winning performance on Saturday night in Hammamet gave her an eleventh continental title. She now holds ten African Championship gold medals and one African Games title.

Faten Hammami won Tunisia’s second women’s wrestling gold medal after going undefeated in the 55kg Nordic bracket.

The third-place finishers, Egypt (160 points), won gold medals in three Nordic weight categories. Their three champions were Hala AHMED, Eman EBRAHIM, and Samar HAMZA, who won African titles at 53kg, 59kg, and 72kg respectively.

In Greco-Roman, Egypt (220 points) upended defending champions Algeria (192 points) by winning six golds and three silver medals. The six Egyptian champions were Moamen MOHAMED (60kg), Haithem MAHMOUD (63kg), Haithem MAHMOUD (67kg), Ahmed AHMED (82kg), Mohamed METWALLY (87kg), and Abdellatif MOHAMED (130kg).

Of those six individual champions, Haithem Mahmound and Mohamed Metwally were the only two who competed in traditional brackets.

At 63kg, Haithem Mahmound claimed his second consecutive African gold medal with a fall over Radhwen TARHOUNI (TUN). Mahmoud built a five-point lead off a passivity point and a pair of gut wrenches before stopping a Tunisian headlock to pick up the fall.

The second non-Nordic bracket champion was 87kg gold medalist Mohamed Metwally. Metwally ended his gold-medal bout early with a four-point throw after commanding the 6-0 lead over Algeria Bachir SID AZARA (ALG), 10-0.

Algeria, who had three individual champions and 192 points, finished in second place, 28 points behind Egypt. The trio of Algerian champion was Abdelkarim FERGAT (55kg), Tarek BENAISSA (72kg), Adem BOUDJEMLINE (97kg).

Zied AIT OUAGRAM (MAR) reached the top of the African podium for the tenth time with his 77kg title-winning performance on Saturday night. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

The tenth and final Greco-Roman gold medal of the day went to Zied AIT OUAGRAM (MAR), who won the 77kg title, improved on his runner-up finished from a year ago, claiming his tenth African title.

The final day of wrestling at the African Championships begins Sunday at 10:30 (local time).

RESULTS

Women’s Wrestling

TEAM SCORES
GOLD – Nigeria (195 points)
SILVER – Tunisia (177 points)
BRONZE – Egypt (160 points)
Fourth – Algeria (83 points)
Fifth – Senegal  (57 points)

50kg (Round Robin)
GOLD – Miesinnei GENESIS (NGR)
SILVER – Nada MOHAMED (EGY)
BRONZE – Kheira YAHIAOUI (ALG)

53kg (Round Robin)
GOLD –  Hala AHMED (EGY)
SILVER –  Sarra HAMDI (TUN)
BRONZE –Rosemary NWEKE (NGR)

55kg (Round Robin)
GOLD –Faten HAMMAMI  (TUN)
SILVER –Lamia CHEMLAL (ALG)
BRONZE – Faten AHMED (EGY)

57kg 
GOLD – Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR) df. Joseph Emilienne ESSOMBE TIAKO (CMR), via fall
BRONZE – Dorssaf GHARSSI (TUN) df. Chaimaa Fouzia AOUISSI (ALG), 11-6

59kg (Round Robin)
GOLD – Eman EBRAHIM (EGY)
SILVER – Khouloud EL OUNI (TUN)
BRONZE – Ifeoma Christiana NWOYE (NGR)

62kg 
GOLD – Marwa AMRI (TUN) vs. Aminat Oluwafunmilayo ADENIYI (NGR), via fall
BRONZE – Berthe Emilienne ETANE NGOLLE (CMR) df. Fatoumata Yarie CAMARA (GUI), 1-1

65kg (Round Robin)
GOLD – Sunmisola BALOGUN (NGR) df. Yvette ZIE (BUR), 1-0
BRONZE – Nour JELJELI (TUN) df. Amel HAMMICHE (ALG), 12-5

68kg (Round Robin)
GOLD – Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR)
SILVER – Anta SAMBOU (SEN)
BRONZE – Lilia MEJRI (TUN)

72kg (Round Robin)
GOLD – Samar HAMZA (EGY)
SILVER – Hannah Amuchechi RUEBEN (NGR)
BRONZE – Wiem TRABELSI (TUN)

76kg (Round Robin)
GOLD –  Blessing ONYEBUCHI (NGR)
SILVER – Mona AHMED (EGY)
BRONZE – Rihem AYARI (TUN)

Greco-Roman

TEAM SCORES
GOLD – Egypt (220 points)
SILVER – Algeria (192 points)
BRONZE – Tunisia (139 points)
Fourth – Morocco (119 points)
Fifth – Congo DR (51 points)

55kg (Round Robin)
GOLD –  Abdelkarim FERGAT (ALG)
SILVER –  Ahmed BAGHDOUDA (EGY)
BRONZE –Romio Ricardo GOLIATH (NAM)

60kg (Round Robin)
GOLD – Moamen MOHAMED (EGY)
SILVER – Abdennour LAOUNI (ALG)
BRONZE – Moez JALEL (TUN)

63kg 
GOLD – Haithem MAHMOUD (EGY) df. Radhwen TARHOUNI (TUN), via fall
BRONZE – Fouad FAJARI (MAR) df. Gert COETZEE (RSA), 9-0

67kg (Round Robin)
GOLD – Mohamed ELSAYED (EGY)
SILVER – Souleymen NASR (TUN)
BRONZE – Bilal EL BAHJA (MAR)

72kg 
GOLD – Tarek BENAISSA (ALG) df. Aziz BOUALEM (MAR), 7-1
BRONZE – Emmanuel NWORIE (NGR) df. Lamjed MAAFI (TUN), 10-9

77kg (Round Robin)
GOLD – Zied AIT OUAGRAM (MAR)
SILVER – Mohamed Ehab Mohamed Zahab KHALIL (EGY)
BRONZE – Wael SELMI (TUN)

82kg (Round Robin)
GOLD – Ahmed Mahmoud AHMED (EGY)
SILVER –  Abd Elkrim OUAKALI (ALG)
BRONZE –  Hakim TRABELSI (TUN)

87kg 
GOLD – Mohamed METWALLY (EGY) df. Bachir SID AZARA (ALG), 10-0
BRONZE – Mohamed Skander MISSAOUI (TUN) df. Reda MOUENISS (MAR), 8-0

97kg
GOLD – Adem BOUDJEMLINE (ALG) df. Mohamed Ali Elsayed GABR (EGY), 2-1
BRONZE – Amine GUENNICHI (TUN) df. Choucri ATAFI (MAR), 3-1
BRONZE – Francisco Nkunga NGONDA (ANG) df. Mohamed BUNDU (SLE), 14-5

130kg (Round Robin)
GOLD – Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY)
SILVER – Hichem KOUCHIT (ALG)
BRONZE – Mohamed Fadhel BLAGHJI (TUN)

 

CULLED FROM:

https://unitedworldwrestling.org/article/nigerian-women-nab-five-african-golds-egypt-grabs-six-gr-titles

 

 

 

The Queen has a ‘favourite son’ – and it’s caused a huge royal rift

They’re the most famous family in the world.

To outsiders, life in the royal family looks like a real life fairytale.

But inside The Firm their are the same problems as with any other parents, children and siblings.

While the Queen might be adored by her millions of fans but to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren she’s mummy or grannie.

And just like many other families it seems Her Majesty has a favourite son – and it’s caused a huge rift between the brothers.

As the Queen’s first born, Prince Charles is the heir to the throne and now takes on many of her royal duties as she begins to step back from her arduous schedule.

But according to royal experts, the Prince of Wales is not her favourite son.

The honour is held by her second eldest boy, Prince Andrew.

 

However, this favouristism is believed to have caused a feud between the brothers that the years don’t seem to be dulling.

Their royal row is explored in new Channel 5 documentary, The Royal Family At War.

Experts believe the Queen has long felt the weight of raising Charles to be the next king – but with Andrew she is said to have a far more hands on relationship.

Royal author, Katie Nicholl told the documentary: “There is real tension between Charles and Andrew. Andrew has a very different relationship with his mother and the Queen was much more hands on.”

Princess Diana’s former butler, Paul Burrell added: “Andrew has always been the Queen’s favourite son and he has never done anything wrong in her eyes.”

Journalist Penny Junor said: “I think the Queen has always had a bit of a blindspot when it comes to Prince Andrew.”

At 11 years younger than Charles, Andrew was born while Charles was at boarding school in Gordonstoun, an experience he is said to have hated and once reportedly described as “Colditz in kilts”.

After they finished their education both brothers enlisted in the Armed Forces.

Charles spent five years as a captain in the Royal Navy.

Andrew also joined the navy – but his career garnered far more attention than that of his big brother’s.

As a helicopter pilot at 22 Andrew was sent to fight in the Falkland Conflict and on his return he was greeted by the Queen as his ship pulled into the harbour.

Katie Nicholl said: “He came back a hero and was very much the golden boy of the royal family.”

But this was only the start of the brother’s reported rift.

Charles is said to be pushing for a slimmed down monarchy – while Andrew was criticised for using his privilege as a royal for his own entertainment.

Katie Nicholl said: “Andrew became known in the media as ‘Airmiles Andy’ and would use the royal helicopter not for royal engagements but to go and play golf in Scotland.”

Dickie Arbiter, the Queen’s former press secretary, added: “Charles was of the view that if you want to play around you do it separately from the family and you pay for it yourself.”

In 2011 Prince Andrew stepped down from his position as UK trade envoy following criticism over his friendship with a controversial American billionaire.

But one of the toughest blows to Prince Andrew’s position in the royal family came when it emerged that his daughter’s, Prince Beatrix and Eugenie’s, security detail would no longer be paid from from the civil purse.

Ken Wharfe, Princess Diana’s former protection officer, said: “The protection of the royal family runs into millions of pounds, which is paid for by the tax payer.”

Then, there was a cutting moment when, on the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, only six members of the royal family appeared on the balcony at Buckingham Palace.

Present were the Queen, Prince Charles and Camilla, Prince William and Kate Middleton and Prince Harry.

Prince Andrew and his family were notably absent.

Penny Junor said: “This was something that Andrew found hard to accept.”

Katie Nicholl added: “Andrew wants to be a part of those appearances and it’s certainly lead to a fall out.”

In December that year Andrew took the extremely unusual step of releasing a statement to the press insisting there was no feud between the brothers.

It said: “There is no truth to the story that there could be a split between the Prince of Wales and I.

“Any continued speculation is pointless.”

But rather than quash the rumours, it only served to add fuel to the fire.

Kate Nicholl said: “It’s very rare for them to deny somehting like sibling rivalry.

“There’s no smoke without fire and by denying it, he was fuelling to speculation.

“It’s clear there were problems between the brothers.”

Royal commentator Victoria Arbiter added: “The Queen has had no scandal during her reign and Charles doesn’t want to be the one to see that fine work crumble so he needs to surround himself with people who aren’t going to cause him any problems.”

 

CULLED FROM:

https://www.msn.com/en-xl/europe/life-arts/the-queen-has-a-favourite-son-and-its-caused-a-huge-royal-rift/ar-BBVrD8w?li=BBQbhAJ

 

Nigerian lady recounts how she escaped from ritualists who invited her for job interview

A Nigerian lady identified as Blessing Bello on Facebook has share her most recent experience with ritualists who posed to her as recruiters.

According to her, she was invited for an interview and failed to do due diligence because she needed a job. Unknowingly to her, the men who invited for the interview were ritualists and she narrowly escaped what could have been the end of her life.

 

The young lady who seemed glad to have made it out of the situation alive advised other job seekers to be careful when they get interview invitation especially if it is not from a reputable organisation.

Read her post below:

Meanwhile, A Nigerian man has now revealed new details about the operation of ritualists. The man claimed that people now sell a nylon of women’s natural hair to ritualists for money.

According to the man who shared this revelation on Twitter, a nylon of natural hair is being sold for N450,000. He advised women to always pack their hair after it has been combed out at a salon.

 

CULLED FROM:

 

https://www.msn.com/en-xl/africa/nigeria/nigerian-lady-recounts-how-she-escaped-from-ritualists-who-invited-her-for-job-interview/ar-BBVq5Qz?li=BBQbhAJ

Messi: My son asks ‘why do they kill you in Argentina, daddy?’

Facing fresh criticism for his withdrawal from Argentina’s friendly in Morocco on Tuesday, Lionel Messi candidly discussed his detractors in an interview with an Argentinian radio station.

Barcelona’s celestial frontman ended a self-imposed exile from the national team by returning to the fold for last week’s friendly against Venezuela in Madrid. Unsurprisingly, appreciation of his involvement in the 3-1 defeat was short-lived when he pulled out of the next fixture.

 

“I wanted to distance myself from the team, let time go by and cool myself. It was painful to end the cycle this way,” he told Club 94.7 on Friday as he explained his decision to step away from Argentina after the 2018 World Cup, according to Almudena Calatrava of the Associated Press.

“Many people said I should not return (to the national team),” he added. “Family, friends. My six-year-old (asked me) ‘Why do they kill you in Argentina, daddy?'”

Messi warned his critics in Argentina that they “will have to stand me a little longer” as he remains focused on winning a major honor for his country. He described reaching a World Cup final and showpieces in the Copa America as “extraordinary” achievements.

 

“I’m used to what they say about me, they are always making things up about me. Nothing surprises me,” he continued, as translated by ESPN FC’s Sam Marsden. “There are a lot of lies being told and it makes me angry because people believe what they say.

 

 

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“Anybody can say anything, people buy into it and then I’m the bad guy.”

In the wide-ranging interview, Messi named Cristiano Ronaldo alongside Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Eden Hazard, Luis Suarez, Sergio Aguero, and himself as the best players in the world. Discussing Ronaldo, he admitted that “it annoyed me seeing him win so many trophies.”

The 31-year-old refused to commit to concluding his career in Argentinian club football: “I would love to end my career at Newell’s (Old Boys) but it’s not easy. Sincerely, I don’t know.”

Messi is included in Ernesto Valverde’s roster for Saturday’s brawl with city rivals Espanyol.

 

CULLED FROM:

http://www.msn.com/en-xl/europe/europe-sport/messi-my-son-asks-why-do-they-kill-you-in-argentina-daddy/ar-BBVpoXO?ocid=spartanntp