Russia hosts international free-style wrestling championship

A two-day Grand Prix international free-style wrestling championship got underway in Vladikavkaz, which is the capital of North Ossetia, i.e. one of Russia's North Caucasian republics, July 20th. This championship is dedicated to the memory of merited Russian coach and master of sports (international class) Oleg Naniyev.

The championship involves more than 160 athletes from other post-Soviet republics and foreign countries. The Naniyev memorial championship is the last major event on the eve of the Teheran world championship. That's why quite a few national teams, including US, German, South Korean and Turkish teams, are fielding their first-line members.

A special commission consisting of FILA-bureau members, which also attends the championship, would be expected to assess this event, also deciding whether it would be possible to hold the 2005 European championship in Vladikavkaz.