The annual international wrestling event, a celebration of athleticism and sportsmanship, brought together top wrestlers from Poland, Lithuania, and Ukraine, along with enthusiastic spectators and a host of local community and business leaders.

The event is particularly special for Dynamic Solutions, which has been sponsoring the wrestling initiatives in Northeastern Poland for well over a decade.

Dynamic Solutions' co-founder and CTO, Michał Cukierman, is a former competitive wrestler and co-founder of the KS Wschód Wrestling Club. The club offers free wrestling training for children and youth in Białystok and Supraśl. There, in his spare time, Michał coaches young wrestlers between the ages of six and twelve.

Some of those young athletes took to the mat during the halftime show at Podlasie Wrestling Cup, where they demonstrated various wrestling techniques and acrobatic moves, including cartwheels, somersaults, and a "tiger jump".

The competition featured ten bouts across different weight categories in men's and women's freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. The audience was treated to a display of impressive technique, strength, and agility, with several matches ending in quick and decisive victories.

KS Wschód athletes competed in the Greco-Roman categories, starting with Nikodem Godun, who faced Lithuanian Kipras Gvozdas in the 77 kg category. Godun's coach unsuccessfully challenged a referee decision which resulted in a 3-point advantage for Gvozdas. Soon after, Gvozdas executed a 5-point reverse waistlock throw, leading to his victory by technical superiority at 8:0.

Another match saw Mairbek Salimov, a bronze medalist in the 2024 World Championships, face Justas Petravicius of Lithuania in the 63 kg men's category. Salimov was still recovering from a rib injury sustained during the World Championship match. Commentator and former wrestler Robert Wajszczuk noted after the bout that Salimov was only competing at perhaps half of his potential. Despite his injury, Salimov was victorious, winning 5:1.

The final match of the night was the most anticipated, with Arslanbek Salimov facing off against Eimantas Andriuska of Lithuania in the 67 kg men's Greco-Roman category. He secured victory by technical superiority after building a 10:0 lead.

The Podlasie Wrestling Cup once again showcased our region's deep-rooted wrestling tradition. The Salimov brothers, both KS Wschód alumni, are shining examples of the talent nurtured within the club.

Arslanbek Salimov, 20, won a bronze medal at the 2024 World Junior Championships in Tirana, Albania, where he defeated wrestlers from the United States, India, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. His older brother, Mairbek Salimov, 21, also claimed a bronze medal at the same tournament, overcoming competitors from the United States, Azerbaijan, Ukraine and Turkey. He had previously won a bronze at the 2024 European Under-23 Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Podlasie Wrestling Cup draws strong support from the local community, with numerous government officials, business leaders, and community members in attendance.

Sponsors and community leaders - with DS's Marta an Michał Cukierman among them - were recognized for their contributions to the development of wrestling in the Podlasie region.

The Podlasie Wrestling Cup was a resounding success, showing the enduring appeal of wrestling with dedication and discipline that are at the heart of this demanding sport.

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Photos: courtesy of Klub Sportowy Wschód.