"Hyenas from Schengen": in Croatia mock Russian wrestlers

This has never happened before and here it is again. Wrestlers from Russia (of course, in neutral status, without a flag, anthem and coat of arms of the country), who arrived at the World Cup in Croatia, were held for five hours at customs at Zagreb airport. Later, the situation was resolved, but the president of the Russian Wrestling Federation (FSBR) Mikhail Mamiashvili called what was happening a "bestial attitude."

Last Friday, the head coach of the Dagestan freestyle wrestling team, Mahmud Magomedov, said that Zaurbek Sidakov, Ahmed Usmanov and Abdulla Kurbanov were not allowed to leave the airport.:

"I hope all this is not done on purpose. Visas were given on the last day. As a result, Zagreb Airport is not allowed to enter the country. They've been holding me for more than five hours."

According to media reports, together with the wrestlers, the head coach of the team Denis Tsargush was held at customs. They took the documents from the Russians and told them to wait, explaining everything allegedly with visa problems.

Later, the local police also came to the hotel to check the documents of the Russians who had already entered, and to confirm the check-in. Mamiashvili immediately commented on the situation:

"I am aware that the guys are just being bullied, they are being held at the airport. They still keep it. It's just a bestial attitude. Everyone has visas, passports. The leadership of the Croatian Federation also understands everything. It's just a demonstration of the position."

Later, the wrestlers were still left behind. But the unpleasant aftertaste from what happened, of course, remained.

"They are at the hotel, everything is fine. Now the athletes are preparing for the competition. Tomorrow the fight will already begin. This whole situation is, of course, extremely nervous. Nevertheless, we support the guys as much as we can. They don't lose heart. It's worse when they don't allow it at all. You have to go through this too. Unfortunately, there is such a tendency, God is their judge. We must be stronger than this," Mamiashivili stressed.

Here I would like to clarify with dear Mikhail Gerazievich: stronger than what and whom? They spit in my face, practically. They mock people without hesitation, violate all civilized norms. Is the medal "round" really worth such humiliations over famous athletes, over Russia, after all?!

According to Sport-Express, the World Wrestling Championship is held from September 13 to 21. The admitted Russians perform at the tournament under the flag of the United World of Wrestling (UWW).

The main hopes of Russian fans for gold are historically connected with freestyle wrestlers: Ahmed Usmanov is the world and European champion, and Zaur Uguev and Zaurbek Sidakov, in addition to world and European titles, also won on the Olympic carpet.

For Sidakov, the performance in Zagreb is of great importance: before his suspension, he was the undisputed leader in the category up to 74 kg, then won the world in 2023, but at the last European championship he was overcome by a student of the Russian school, now Albanian Chermen Valiev.

In general, according to forecasts, our athletes claim medals in each category, both famous champions and promising wrestlers have come to Zagreb. But do not forget: rivals do not doze off, especially in every second national team there are former Russians who have not waited for a chance to be realized in their homeland: the already named Valiev, Ahmed Tazhudinov, Arseniy Dzhioev and others.

It is worth recalling here that our two—time Olympic champion, six-time world champion Abdulrashid Sadulaev, was not allowed into Croatia - he was denied a Schengen visa. Instead of the "Russian Tank", Magomed Kurbanov flew to Zagreb.

Abdulrashid Sadulaev, having learned about the refusal on September 11, wrote on social networks:

"I think many people already know that I will not be able to step on the carpet in Zagreb… We held three serious training camps, approached the World Cup in full combat readiness, but history repeats itself — the issue with the Schengen visa has not been resolved. It's hard to accept, because we've been preparing for the main starts all season. These days I especially feel your support — calls and messages from fans all over the world give me strength. Many thanks to everyone!"