Day Nine of the Riyadh 2023 World Combat Games Blends Sporting Tradition with Modern Athletic Mastery

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – October 28th, 2023: The exhilarating atmosphere of the Riyadh 2023 World Combat Games reached a fever pitch today with a series of high-octane events captivating audiences worldwide. Armwrestling began its Right-Arm challenges across both male and female weight divisions, proudly inclusive of the inspiring Para categories. The elegance and intensity of Savate was also on display as the qualifying rounds for men’s and women’s Assaut and Combat kicked off while its Canne de Combat division drew to a gripping close. Muaythai enthusiasts enjoyed the Wai Kru finals and round one of the men’s and women’s weight categories. Taekwondo also began its first day of events with its Mixed Kyorugi Team setting the stage for another three days of competition that will include Mixed Pair, women’s and men’s Individual Poomsae.

The day concluded with 14 gold medals being awarded: 12 in wrestling and 2 in Savate. At the close of day nine, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia lead the gold tally with 21, 12 and 9 medals, respectively. Ukraine leads the event in podium finishes, with 48 to date.

Armwrestling

Armwrestling, steeped in ancient tradition, blends raw power with tactical prowess. On its second day, spectators were treated to riveting Right-Arm challenges across male and female weight divisions, including Para categories. Competitors displayed a blend of grip strength, leverage, and stamina, using an array of techniques to seize the upper hand.

Women’s Right Arm

In the women’s Right Arm competition, Turkey’s Esra Kiraz secured victory for the -55 kg division, while Rebeka Martinkovic of Slovakia claimed the -65 kg title. Sweden’s Mona Ann-Sofi Reisek emerged as the champion in the -80 kg category, followed by Barbora Bajciova of Slovakia taking the +80 kg division win.

The champion of the women’s Right-Arm Para Standing division was Ukraine’s Alona Hornich, while the gold in the women’s Right-Arm Para Visual category was awarded to Ukraine’s Olesia Bessalnova.

Men’s Right Arm
In the men’s Right Arm division, Armenia’s Vachagan Hovhannisyan secured victory for the –70  kg category, while Daniel Procopciuc of Moldovia claimed the -80 kg title.  Viorel Marian Dobrin of Romania emerged as the champion in the –90 kg weight class, while Kazakhstan’s Yesbolat Karzhau took the -100 kg win. Within the -110kg weight division, Croatia’s Rino Masic took the gold, and Oleg Mykhailenko took first in the +110 kg category.
The champion of the men’s Right-Arm Para Standing division was Kazakhstan’s Nyshanaly Sanim, while the winner of the men’s Right-Arm Para Sitting category was awarded to Gokhan Seven of Turkey.

Savate
The French martial art of Savate merges European boxing techniques with fluid kicks. Savate’s Assaut discipline emphasizes controlled, technical strikes, while the Combat division allows full-contact, power-driven blows. Savate’s third discipline, Canne de Combat, incorporates a wooden cane in a strategic, dance-like combat sequence.

Today’s events included the qualifying rounds of men’s and women’s Assaut and Combat, while its Canne de Combat division finished its final events. The Mixed Individual Wheelchair Canne de Combat is set to begin tomorrow, followed by the Mixed Team Canne de Combat finals on Monday, October 30th.

Winner of the women’s Canne de Combat was Nicole Holzmann of Germany, who beat Eunjung Kim of Korea with a final score of 3-0. The gold medal for the men’s Canne de Combat was secured by Thomas Richard Dardour, an Independent Neutral Athlete, winning against Michael Vrastil of the Czech Republic with a final score of 3-0.

Muaythai
Muaythai, often called the “Art of Eight Limbs,” is a revered Thai martial art encompassing punches, kicks, elbows, and knee strikes.

On its inaugural day, attendees were treated to the Wai Kru competition, where athletes perform ceremonial dances through which fighters honor their trainers and the heritage of the sport. Today also marked the conclusion of the Mixed Muaythai finals, coinciding with the kick-off of the men’s and women’s weight division rounds. Notably, Muaythai’s third day of competition will feature the women’s and men’s Para Wui Kru contests.

With a final score of 9.50, first place in women’s Wai Kru was awarded to Malaysia’s Jia Chi Yan, while Chun Ka Mok of Hong Kong took gold in the men’s Wai Kru final with a final score of 8.87.

Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art known for its dynamic kicks. Its Poomsae discipline encompasses choreographed defense-and-attack patterns, while Kyorugi involves full-contact sparring bouts. Both divisions showcase the art’s depth and athleticism.

Today saw the Mixed Kyorugi Team begin its first round of competition. The Mixed Kyorugi Team and Mixed Pair Poomsae will begin tomorrow.

Savate will continue tomorrow at 1 pm and 5 pm in KSU 5. Muaythai’s second day will see events  at 10 am and 2 pm in KSU 2. Taekwondo will be held in KSU 1 at 1 pm and 6 pm.

About the Riyadh 2023 World Combat Games:

This year marks a significant milestone for Saudi Arabia as Riyadh proudly becomes the first Middle Eastern city to host the World Combat Games. The programme for this year’s Games encompasses 16 combat sports and martial arts disciplines, including Aikido, Armwrestling, Boxing, Fencing, Judo, Ju-Jitsu, Karate, Kendo, Kickboxing, Muaythai, Sambo, Savate, Sumo, Taekwondo, Wrestling, and Wushu.