05-22-2020, 07:43 PM
(This post was last modified: 08-05-2020, 08:24 PM by Jarkko.
Edit Reason: Retcon; added another skateboarding event.
)
(Olympics, Part 2)
INLINE HOCKEY (16 teams each, 50 Uralican athletes)
New event in 2020
Let's be honest here. With perhaps the exception of Dakota, any country that excels at ice hockey also excels at inline, even though the rankings are a bit different. It isn't as physical as ice hockey, though, so none of the NHL "tough guys" would be seen here regardless. This is where Uralica's prowess in bandy helps, as the national team is generally a mix of bandy and ice hockey players for men. The women, on the other hand, are almost all members of the national ice hockey team (only two bandy players on the team, as most of those play rink hockey)! Uralica's highest placement in a World Inline Championship is 5th for men and 2nd for women, so while they're a contender for medals in both, the women have higher expectations of them going in. Each nation is allowed a maximum squad of 25 players, and they are allowed to dress 20 players. Players from the hockey team are indicated with "H" and from the bandy team with "B."
Men's Team: (captain Matvey Kolpakov, alternate captains Graham Kostamo and Lothar Biel)
Goalies (3): Antip Dolokhov (H, 31, Murmansk, SAP), Steven Funk (H, 28, Uni, VTK), Juha-Matti Järvinen (B, 25, Murmansk, SAP).
Defenders: (8) Graham Kostamo (H, 35, Kirov), Yuri Vasilyev (H, 34, Orichi, VTK), Karp Bezukhov (B, 30, Yoshkar-Ola, MAR), Miron Volsky (H, 26, Yekaterinburg, GYK), Marat Loginov (B, 26, Novodvinsk, DSD), Erik Talvinen (H, 23, Petroskoi, KAR), Ohto Saarela (H/B, 25, Lashma, MRD), Brad Wall (B, 22, Pazhga, KML).
Wingers (9): RW Kurtis Schaeffer (H, 28, Pazhga, KML), LW Dirk Schaeffer (H, 33, Pazhga, KML), LW Lothar Biel (H, 33, Vizinga, KML), RW Gilmetdin Ilgamov (B, 30, Izhevsk), LW/RW Rudolf Weber (H, 25, Kirov), RW Semyon Malyeshev (B, 28, Nizhnyaya Tura, SEU), LW Trofim Buchkiyev (H, 23, Rudnichnyy, YGR), LW Oleg Koltin (B, 27, Nizhnevartovsk, YGR), Vesa Toikka (B, 21, Onega, VIE).
Centres (5): Matvey Kolpakov (H, 32, Yoshkar-Ola, MAR), Cam Niskanen (H, 31, Syktykar), Joonatan Reima (B, 24, Sokol, SKH), Jouko Karvinen (H, 22, Syktyvkar), Emánuel Oimeracz (H, 23, Tráty, KML).
Women's Team (all hockey players unless otherwise noted; captain Sonya Golitsina, alternate captains Tatyana Mizirova and Jessika Nikkanen):
Goalies (3): Lukiya Gretchaninova (30, Izhevsk), Izabella Szabados (26, Surgut), Jenni Lahikainen (23, Novaya Viktoria, GYK)
Defenders (8): Svetlana Georgiyeva (26, Kirov), Alla Golitsina (25, Kirovo-Chepetsk, VTK), Sonya Golitsina (31, Alapayevsk, SEU), Ervina Malashenko (25, Salomäk-Ola, MAR), Päivi Kukkamo (24, Nizhnyaya Tura, SEU), Laina Valtola (B, 27, Montsa, SAP), Elsa Lempinen (24, Vytegra, SKH), Jana Kamp (28, Syktyvkar)
Wingers (9): RW Jessika Nikkanen (28, Darovskoy, VTK), RW Sanya Voleykova (26, Gubkinsky, YAM), RW Katya Bogdanova (20, Nizhny Tagil), RW Rauna Lampela (28, Vienankemi, KAR), RW/LW Maria Kozlova (27, Sukhoy Log, SEU), LW Adrienn Gara (30, Langepas, YGR), LW Mia Wiebe (23, Pazhga, KML), LW Nadezhda Katenina (27, Kholmogory, VIE), LW Liisa Söderholm (24, Viipuri, KAR)
Centres (5): Tatyana Mizirova (B, 28, Saransk, MRD), Snezhana Fedotova (25, Uni, VTK), Kulta Riikola (27, Kungur, PMA), Salli Verkko (26, Syktyvkar), Eha Luup (30, Kirov).
INLINE/ROLLER SKATING
Medals in 2016: 1 (bronze, women's 1500m short-track)
The summer equivalents of these winter sports made their debut at the 2016 Cape Town Olympics, opening up new avenues for speed-skaters to participate in summer events. Uralica's participation is expanded this year, but they aren't expected to medal on the long track. The short track was a complete gong-show last year with a world record (for any ISTSS event) 22 disqualifications, including two men's skaters - one Chinese and one Cascadian - being disqualified for dirty tactics in the 1500m final, and the medal race having to be done over because nobody finished as a result of it! The aftermath saw three "lucky losers" promoted into the five-man final, rather than just giving the gold, silver, and bronze to non-finishers, of whom one was injured and had to withdraw. This resulted in a rather bizarre exchange of fisticuffs between the heads of the Hungarian and Cascadian Olympic Federations, as the non-finisher who was injured was Tamás Göncz, who was favoured to win gold in that event and the 1000m. He had been hauled down by Cascadia's Eric Hartland and fell awkwardly. As such, Hartland was barred from this year's tryouts by the Cascadian Olympic Association on IOC recommendation (as was Chinese skater Zhong Bai by the OCFC for kicking Korea's Lim Hyo-Jun's feet out from under him from behind). While this did bump Uralican Khabibula Mekhdiyev into the final as a result, he officially finished fifth, coming in dead-last in the medal race. But Leena Kalle brought us home a medal in 2016, a bronze in the 1500 (and she also finished fourth in the 1000). The more artistic events are new this year, and Uralica isn't thought to have a chance in any of them.
Inline Speed Skating (8 Uralican athletes)
Uralica does have the potential to medal here, but they aren't really expected to, ahead of the likes of Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, Germany, or Cascadia.
Men's 500m - Jarmo Karjalainen (25, Murmansk, SAP), Koomas Kotli (27, Totma, SKH).
Women's 500m - Carly Giesbrecht (20, Koigort, KML), Natasha Stolyarova (26, Perm').
Men's 1000m - Karjalainen, Kotli.
Women's 1000m - Stolyarova.
Men's 1500m - Karjalainen, Kotli.
Women's 1500m - Zoya Predikina (29, Belozersk, SKH).
Women's 3000m - Predikina, Elena Beregovaya (24, Lapyt-Nank, YAM).
Women's 5000m - Beregovaya.
Men's 5000m - Trevor Järvinen (24, Sindor, KML), Makar Pralnikov (23, Vysotsky, YGR).
Men's 10000m - Järvinen, Pralnikov.
Men's Mass Start - Pralnikov.
Women's Mass Start - Predikina, Beregovaya.
Men's Team Pursuit - Järvinen, Pralnikov, Karjalainen, Kolti (as backup).
Women's Team Pursuit - Giesbrecht, Stolyarova, Predikina, Beregovaya.
Inline Short-Track Speed Skating (8 Uralican athletes)
Short-track is even closer, so if Uralica medals in any inline speed skating, it is likely to be in the short track. Often marketed as "NASCAR on ice," the physical strength of the Uralicans will come in handy against the skilled but aggressive Chinese, the dominant Koreans, and their BFFs from Canada.
Men's 500m - Vlasi Klavdiyev (27, Porancha, MAR), Aalto Niiranen (31, Aramil, GYK).
Women's 500m - Natasha Privalova (23, Gryazovets, SKH).
Men's 1000m - Klavdiyev, Aladár Szalay (28, Veliski, VIE).
Women's 1000m - Privalova, Klara Marchenko (28, Nizhny Tagil), Leena Kalle (30, Omutninsk, VTK)
Men's 1500m - Szalay, Khabibula Mekhdiyev (31, Yulser-Ola, MAR).
Women's 1500m - Kalle, Marchenko.
Men's 3000m relay - Klavdiyev, Niiranen, Szalay, Mekhdiyev.
Women's 3000m relay - Privalova, Marchenko, Kalle, Rufina Saldin (19, Verkhnyaya Salda, SEU).
Inline Vert Skating (4 Uralican athletes)
A North American-dominated discipline, Uralica did qualify a couple skaters in each gender, but they aren't expected to medal.
Men's - Russ Vedder (25, Ubb, KML), Tero Litamainen (20, Syktyvkar)
Women's - Paula Lassinen (22, Voyachu, KAR), Marfa Zhukov (26, Aramil, GYK)
Roller Vert Skating (4 Uralican athletes)
A North American-dominated discipline, Uralica did qualify a couple skaters in each gender, but they aren't expected to medal here, either.
Men's - Esa Lahtela (24, Kuiksk, YGR), Santeri Lumme (18, Cherepovets).
Women's - Osma Väänänen (27, Pudozh, KAR), Lara Onegina (28, Nyandoma, VIE)
Inline Freestyle (3 Uralican athletes)
As with the vert events, Uralica isn't expected to medal, especially amongst women, who only qualified a single skater.
Men's - Kai Rogachyov (27, Novy Urengoy, YAM), Lance Dirks (20, Syktyvkar)
Women's - Anya Temnikova (19, Tavda, SEU)
Roller Freestyle (1 Uralican athlete)
And yet again, Uralica's not expected to medal. One skater per gender from Uralica.
Men's - Lance Dirks
Women's - Jennifer Luukkonen (21, Uusisointula, GYK)
JAI ALAI (5 Uralican athletes)
New event in 2020
This fast-paced sport which originated in Old Spain is still dominated by its inventors, the Euskadians; much like rugby or cricket with the British Empire, it is still largely confined to former Spanish Empire nations, which makes it all the more surprising that Uralica even qualified at all! No medals are expected, but already, the Latins are impressed that a non-Latin nation has made it this far and as such Uralica already has their respect. It re-debuted in 2016 as a demonstration sport and has been included as a full sport this year thanks to Japan taking an interest in it from Cape Town!
Men's Singles - Jarmo Tormanen (29, Karhumägi, KAR)
Women's Singles - Jenni Olsen (25, Syktyvkar)
Men's Doubles - Tormanen, Toni Mäkelä (30, Pindushi, KAR)
Women's Doubles - Maggie Baehr (21, Pazhga, KML), Éva Halmai (24, Tráty, KML).
Mixed Doubles - Mäkelä and Halmai.
JUDO (14 Uralican athletes)
(Follows World Judo Federation/Olympic judo classes)
Medals in 2016: 3 (gold, women's +78kg, silver, men's 90k, bronze, women's 48kg)
Although Transcaucasia and Dagestan are expected to fare better amongst NCIS nations, Uralica's judokas are pretty formidable as well. One analyst said, "Uralica's not the biggest dark horse, but they aren't exactly odds-on favourites, either. They will probably end up nabbing a medal or two out of the whole thing. Uralica qualified one judoka per weight class across the board.
Men's
60 kg - Etan Semyonov (25, Uva, Udmurtia).
66 kg - Gennadiy Porkhomov (32, Yekaterinburg, GYK).
73 kg - Artturi Talvela (29, Inta, KML).
81 kg - Qasim Sadikov (33, Perm').
90 kg - Albert Csepel (31, Konosha, VIE).
100 kg - Ori Makarichev (30, Syktyvkar).
+100 kg - Naum Galperin (27, Sarapul, UDM).
Women's
48 kg - Anneli Jaatinen (29, Severomorsk, SAP).
52 kg - Liina Sointu (25, Kirovgrad, SEU).
57 kg - Dakota Siemens (23, Kirov)
63 kg - Sussa Jääskeläinen (30, Arkhangel'sk, DSD)
70 kg - Lumi Taipale (34, Shuomua, KAR)
78 kg - Andreya Zhukova (35, Asbest, SEU)
+78 kg - Luba Averkiyeva (33, Khanto, YAM)
KARATE (10 Uralican athletes)
(Follows World Karate Federation weight classes)
Medals in 2016: 0
Uralican karatekas tend to do well in kumite (actual fighting), although they have yet to win an Olympic medal. The highest finishes in Cape Town were fourth by four different competitors. On the other hand, they didn't even qualify in the kata (technique) demonstration this time!
Men's
60kg - Taito Valkeapää (27, Yekaterinburg, GYK).
67kg - Aron Mikhaylov (28, Cherdyn, PMA)
75kg - Mihály Zsoldos (24, Juganvar, YGR)
84kg - Ilarion Krylov (31, Kushva, SEU)
+84kg - Porfiry Linchuk (28, Tavda, SEU)
Kata demonstration - no athletes qualified
Women's
50kg - Mikhayla Aleksandrova (22, Ukhta, USG)
55kg - Lyydiä Talola (26, Glazov, UDM)
61kg - Shakhar Yeshayakhov (25, Votka, UDM)
68kg - Marjaana Jokinen (31, Vologda)
+68kg - Kseniya Karnova (28, Revda, SEU)
Kata demonstration - no athletes qualified
MIXED MARTIAL-ARTS (28 Uralican athletes)
(Follows Olympic boxing weight classes)
Medals in 2016: 9 (gold in men's superheavyweight, and women's flyweight, featherweight, and welterweight, silver in women's lightweight, bronze in men's featherweight, welterweight, and cruiserweight, and women's middleweight)
Make no mistake about it. Uralica is a major power in MMA, having won nine total medals, including four gold, at Cape Town! Our military requirements for unarmed combat combined with a certain killer instinct mean that Uralica is a contender (if not a favourite) amongst both men and women in every weight class on the books. Jarkko Salomäki is one of two Uralican superheavyweights out of 32 qualified (all weight classes have this number of participants, with Uralica qualifying between one and three for each). With his unorthodox mix of Brazilian jiujitsu, sambo, taekwondo, and Muaythai and Pencak Silat kickboxing, he is the #1 favourite to win gold in the superheavyweight division, even against the likes of Dakotan grappling expert Brock Lesnar. And he isn't alone by any means! The expectations for Uralica are very high, with some pundits going so far as to predict double-digit numbers of golds - not just medals, golds - for Uralica in this discipline! And don't forget that defending superheavyweight champion Boris Svechnikov is also in the hunt! Should Lesnar not show up to Tokyo 2020, or even if he does, there are some predicting an all-Uralican superheavyweight final!
Women's Finweight (48kg) - Asja Holopainen (28, Sheksna, SKH), Nina Biryukova (22, Serov, SEU)
Men's Flyweight - Linus Rask (23, Koutero, SAP)
Women's Flyweight - Tanya Yoshkarolina (20, Yoshkar-Ola, MAR), Lynda Koshkarova (28, Orichi, VTK)
Men's Featherweight - Dmitri Shcherbin (31, Konosha, VIE), Pavel Nikitin (28, Saransk, MRD), Edgar Kull (20, Vaahruše, VTK).
Women's Featherweight - Hanna Ristinen (27, Viipuri, KAR), Nadya Lelyukh (28, Cheboksary, CHU)
Men's Lightweight - Kelly Vuorio (32, Gadzhiyevo, SAP), Rasmus Pöyhtäri (26, Perm')
Women's Lightweight - Galina Melikhanova (24, Pichi Purga, UDM), Andrea Fyodorova (27, Syktyvkar)
Men's Welterweight - Veijo Virtanen (33, Baltym, GYK), Sevastyan Rakov (26, Urai, YGR)
Women's Welterweight - Nastya Nemchinova (25, Käkshär, VTK), Donya Sheremetyeva (22, Tsykmä, MAR)
Men's Middleweight - Arttu Laaksonen (27, Raivola, KAR), Aki Laaksonen (27, Raivola, KAR)
Women's Middleweight - Yelena Iosifova (29, Bol'shaya Sosnova, PMA)
Men's Cruiserweight - Eliezer Votkin (30, Vostochnaya Votka, UDM), Robert Shamsutdin (21, Kozlovka, CHU), Kyle Aalto (24, Omutninsk, VTK)
Men's Heavyweight - Yakov Ishayev (20, Izhevsk), Yeremey Permiyev (23, Krasnokamsk, PMA), Tuomo Kukkonen (30, Uusisointula, GYK)
Men's Super-Heavyweight - Jarkko Salomäki, Boris Svechnikov (30, Nyadem, YAM)
MODERN PENTATHLON (2 Uralican athletes)
Medals in 2016: 0
Combining épée fencing, 200m swimming, show jumping, pistol target shooting, and 3200m worth of running (800m in between each round of target shooting), modern pentathlon is an all-around test of skill. Not expected to medal, Uralica has still qualified one pentathlete for each gender.
Men's - Yaroslav Arkhipov (27, Yekaterinburg, GYK)
Women's - Kaisu Pietinen (19, Shumerlya, CHU)
KICKBOXING (14 Uralican athletes)
(follows Olympic boxing weight classes)
New event in 2020
One of the reasons Uralica is so good at MMA is an explosion of various styles kickboxing in popularity in the country due to its intensity and usefulness in unarmed combat. Jarkko Salomäki, while he isn't officially a professional, is very proficient in this combat sport (almost as much so as taekwondo!), and while he isn't expected to dominate by quite the same margin, he is still a favourite to win gold in the superheavyweight division. Many of the entrants in MMA for Uralica are also participating in this. Olympic kickboxing allows for numerous styles to be utilised under the Unified Olympic Kickboxing Ruleset, which while it favours practitioners of Muaythai, also allows for (among others) Muaylao, western kickboxing, Pencak Silat, and hybrid styles like that of Jarkko Salomäki!
Women's Finweight (48kg) - Nina Biryukova, Sofia Sayfutdinov (28, Sarapul, UDM), Kaija Laitinen (25, Petroskoi, KAR)
Men's Flyweight - Maunu Korppi (30, Yekaterinburg, GYK), Lauru "Larry" Markkanen (34, Kirov)
Women's Flyweight - Tanya Yoshkarolina, Yulya Zubova (26, Izhevsk), Milenka Ignatyeva (25, Kotlas, VIE)
Men's Featherweight - Dmitri Shcherbin, Vladimir Mefodiyev (23, Malymash, VTK)
Women's Featherweight - Nadya Lelyukh
Men's Lightweight - Rasmus Pöyhtäri, Vyacheslav Vologodin (28, Vologda)
Women's Lightweight - Galina Melikhanova, Andrea Fyodorova
Men's Welterweight - Veijo Virtanen, Anisim Voronov (30, Balezino, UDM)
Women's Welterweight - Donya Sheremetyeva, Terhi Laukkanen (32, Kirov), Anni Kung (27, Vaahruše, VTK).
Men's Middleweight - Arttu and Aki Laaksonen
Women's Middleweight - Yelena Iosifova, Anja Turumäki (22, Rautu, KAR)
Men's Cruiserweight - Eliezer Votkin, Denis Tursunov (23, Nizhnevartovsk, YGR)
Men's Heavyweight - Yakov Ishayev, Tuomo Kukkonen
Men's Super-Heavyweight - Jarkko Salomäki, Boris Svechnikov, Maksim Khomutov (25, Zapadnyy Yekaterinburg, GYK)
RINK HOCKEY (12 teams each, 20 Uralican athletes)
New event in 2020
Basically field hockey on roller skates and very similar to bandy, Uralica is one of a few European nations that are expected to contend for a medal in rink hockey, although Portugal, Castille, Catalonia, Argentina, and Italy are the more likely favourites. Many members of Uralica's men's and women's bandy teams are expected to play rink hockey in Tokyo next year, although none of them are playing both rink hockey and inline hockey. 10 players per team, of which five (including one goalkeeper) are on at once.
Men's - GK Nazary Nagalitsev (26, Perm'), GK Aku Laitinen (28, Yekaterinburg, GYK), Nazary Orlov (25, Kirov), Yakov Tsilev (31, Izhevsk), Vyacheslav Neverov (29, Arkhangel'sk, DSD), Arseny Voloshin (30, Karhumägi, KAR), Tuukka Kotiranta (27, Sheksna, SKH), Mikko Lyytinen (23, Syktyvkar), Özséb Kurti (26, Surgut), Mátyás Seres (31, Emva, KML, captain).
Women's - GK Feodora Doletskaya (25, Megion, YGR), GK Cintia Ordina (28, Shabry, GYK), Diana Dratsheva (26, Pervouralsk, SEU), Eva Rudakova (23, Nevyansk, SEU), Grusha Chugaynova (30, Chernushka, PMA, captain), Rasima Khakimov (27, Kuyeda, PMA), Iines Marttinen (24, Cherepovets), Ritva Louhi (28, Louhi, KAR), Sohvi Kotiranta (25, Viipuri, KAR), Rayna Kotova (29, Severomorsk, SAP).
ROLLER SKIING (6 Uralican athletes).
New event in 2020
Nordland, Canada, and Uralica are expected to all but monopolise the medals in this relatively new Olympic sport. Other contenders include Germany, Dakota, Siberia, Ural-Altai, Russia, Finland, and surprisingly, even Tyva and Buryatia!
Men's Individual Sprint - Tomi Kivilahti (22, Uusiinari, SAP), Feodosi Soldatov (26, Pechora, KML), Jonas Sundholm (31, Snezhnogorsk, SAP).
Women's Individual Sprint - Linn Dahlen (27, Gadzhiyevo, SAP), Valeriya Sapozhinskaya (30, Aksarka, YAM), Rada Kondratenko (24, Kanash, CHU).
Men's Team Sprint - Kivilahti, Soldatov, Sundholm.
Women's Team Sprint - Dahlen, Sapozhinskaya, Kondratenko.
ROWING (45 Uralican athletes)
Medals in 2016: 1 (bronze, women's quad sculls)
The shortage of good flatwater hasn't limited Uralica's involvement in rowing, even though they aren't considered front-runners for medals in too many of these events. It is notable that most Uralican rowers are either from, or transplants to, western Uralica! The presence of Lake Ladoga, Lake Onega, Lake Beloozero, and Lake Kubenskoye there provide Uralica's main training grounds.
Men's Single Sculls - Jordan Postma (26, Vizinga, KML), Max Koop (31, Belozersk, SKH)
Women's Single Sculls - Svetik Morozova-Koop (29, Belozersk, SKH)
Men's Double Sculls - Postma and Koop.
Women's Double Sculls - Linda Vatanen (30, Pitkäranta, KAR) and Alexandra Spiridonova (29, Lipin Bor, SKH)
Men's Lightweight Double Sculls - Tikhon Ilchenko (33, Kondupohju, KAR) and Yov Tversky (35, Osa, PMA).
Women's Lightweight Double Sculls - Agnessa Lantseva (30, Konosha, VIE) and Ada Toporova (28, Shusht, SKH)
Men's Quad Sculls - Vladislav Ryabtsev (32, Sortavala, KAR), Vasiliy Korzhanenko (30, Lahdenpohju, KAR), Juhani Laukkila (28, Vytegra, SKH), and Martti Attinen (34, Sheksna, SKH).
Women's Quad Sculls - Yelena Linchuk (28, Sortavala, KAR), Reeta Kiljula (30, Sortavala, KAR), Petra Rinnekangas (26, Käkisalmi, KAR), and Elina Ojaste (29, Segezha, KAR)
Men's Coxless Pair - Sampo Pontinen (27, Cherepovets) and Mavriki "Maverick" Obukov (28, Cherepovets)
Women's Coxless Pair - Vlada Yeliseyeva (28, Sheksna, SKH) and Stepaniya Ryashkina (29, Koryazhma, VIE).
Men's Coxless Four - Ruslan Lyumzhinov (28, Vologda), Yelisey Shulgin (33, Isoustiuki, SKH), Demid Tyomkin (37, Yekaterinburg, GYK), and Kauko Kaltiainen (26, Voyachu, KAR).
Women's Coxless Four - Donya Apraksina (25, Pudozh, KAR), Yekaterina Zakarova (27, Vologda), Milla Sutila (24, Kaukjärvi, KAR), and Edit Rosner (27, Veliski, VIE)
Men's Eights - Edgar Korjus (27, Käkisalmi, KAR), Vlasiy Khostov (33, Käkisalmi, KAR), Lyov Matveyev (31, Kubenskoye, SKH), Mark Fyodorov (30, Vologda), Gavriil Komarov (33, Vologda), Anton Ilyev (25, Sokol, SKH), Aulis Hautamaa (27, Antrea, KAR), and Rauli Virolainen (28, Jääski, KAR).
Women's Eights - Olga Matveyeva (26, Podosinovets, VTK), Vaska Marfina (30, Murmashi, SAP), Selena Porkhomovskaya (25, Sokol, SKH), Svetlana Legotina (23, Krasavino, SKH), Maria Vinogrodova (27, Syktyvkar), Pieta Immonen (26, Lahdenpohju, KAR), Saara Niemelä (30, Cherepovets), and Manta Laaksola (27, Isoustiuki, SKH).
RUGBY (UNION RULES) (16 teams per gender per team size)(50 Uralican athletes)
Medals in 2016: 1 (bronze in women's sevens)
It's surprising how good Uralica is at rugby, but they aren't expected to medal in full squads in either gender (although their women have an outside chance). Sevens, on the other hand, is a forte of theirs. Typically dominated by teams from Oceania or South Africa on the men's side, the 2016 World Rugby Placement Tournament saw Uralica end up in the European Rugby Europe International Championships' second level, the Rugby Europe Trophy, and since then, they made the 2019 Rugby World Cup by winning their first-ever Rugby Europe Championship. During that tournament, Uralica made the quarterfinals, beating Tonga and the New United States and stunning Ireland to finish only behind the mighty All-Blacks of New Zealand. The result was good enough to book the full rugger team to Tokyo. They did, however, win bronze in the most recent World Rugby Sevens Championships. For the women, their qualification was a little more difficult and drawn out, but they came through it in style, finishing a very respectable second in the World Rugby Women's World Series (behind Australia). Most rugby sevens experts consider Uralica's women a threat for gold.
Men's Full Squad - Onanin Produnov (29, Kungur, PMA), Vyacheslav Shiryayev (31, Yekaterinburg, GYK), Kirill Serafimov (24, Inta, KML), Mark Labytnangiyev (27, Lapyt-Nank, YAM), Yoshua "Yoshi" Isakov (28, Igra, UDM), Ipati Chernitsky (32, Istok, GYK), Izrail Mikheyev (30, Rezh, SEU), Ivan-Kalvin Prokofyev (27, Kortkeros, KML), Röstäm Altinshyashov (28, Izhevsk), Islambäk Gilmetdinov (25, Krasnoufimsk, SEU), Antto Tikkanen (33, Kirov, team captain), Iiro Puurunen (23, Gryazovets, SKH), Ilmari Louhi (26, Cherepovets), David Riikonen (34, Tsivilsk, CHU), Kászon Solti (30, Juganvar, YGR), Toivo Idnurm (22, Vaahruše, VTK), R Arkady Pencheryevsky (25, Arkhangelsk, DSD), R Mainio Lehtomäki (26, Turinsk, SEU).
Women's Full Squad - Yelena Produnova (26, Kungur, PMA), Serafina Chepukova (29, Pyshma, SEU), Maxima Kayukova (25, Murmansk, SAP), Olga Filishchkina (27, Käkshär, VTK), Magdalena Yoshkarolina (31, Yoshkar-Ola, MAR), Stasya Gaznayeva (25, Viche Alan, VTK), Zinoviya Nasarulina (27, Yelchuk, CHU), Tanya Kalinina (29, Shemurlya, CHU, team captain), Raya Pudovkina (30, Sernur, MAR), Aila Nykänen (28, Käkisalmi, KAR), Jamie Lohrenz (26, Syktyvkar), Kirsikka Tapaninen (30, Yekaterinburg, GYK), Janna Haapasalo (28, Kirov), Sofia Prokshina (25, Yekaterinburg, GYK), Linn Rasmussen (27, Zapolyarny, SAP), R Lahja Jokinen (24, Vologda), R Anett Koleszár (28, Surgut).
Men's Sevens - Svyatoslav Avgustinov (33, Cheboksary, CHU, team captain), Anton Stiyachkov (30, Syktyvkar), Jason Wedel (24, Pazhga, KML), Bogdan Bakunin (26, Yoshkar-Alan, VTK), Perttu Kärppinen (25, Kirov), Risto Makkonen (27, Petroskoi, KAR), Lukac Fülöp (28, Yekaterinburg, GYK), R Terjo Hattula (22, Perm')
Women's Sevens - Mira Plekhanova (26, Vologda), Alisa Glebova (29, Yoshkar-Ola, MAR), Angela Litvinova (25, Yekaterinburg, GYK), Maija Hartonen (30, Konosha, VIE), Olivia Mäkelä (28, Alapayevsk, SEU), Jozefa Sarus (25, Surgut), Mária Csillag (31, Koryazhma, VIE, team captain), R Tia Chernyayeva (27, Pervouralsk, SEU)
SAILING (15 Uralican athletes)
Medals in 2016: 0
Uralica has managed to qualify a sailor or sailors for every type of boat, but that's about as good as they're expected to do. The best NCIS bet for a medal is easily Transcaucasia.
Men's RS-X - Jyrgi Bohinen (34, Käddluhtt, SAP)
Women's RS-X - Angela Mannila (33, Vienankemi, KAR)
Men's Laser - Tikhon Polivanov (42, Onega, VIE)
Women's Laser Radial - Rebekka Väärä (32, Arkhangel'sk, DSD)
Men's 470 - Valentin Artamov (52, Koivisto, KAR) and Ruslan Artamov (25, Koivisto, KAR)
Women's 470 - Roksana Artamova (29, Koivisto, KAR) and Terhi Kivelä (28, Makslahti, KAR)
Men's 49er - Anatoliy Tikhonov (46, Viipuri, KAR) and Elmer Kamu (42, Lahdenpohju, KAR).
Women's 49erFX - Margit Sillasoo (39, Severodvinsk, DSD) and Anna Lutrova (41, Arkhangel'sk, DSD)
Men's Finn - Sava Mazhorin (38, Shuomua, KAR).
Mixed Nacra17 - Marko and Ilta Keränen (45 and 43, Viipuri, KAR)
SHOOTING (24 Uralican athletes)
Medals in 2016: 2 (silver in women's 10m rifle, bronze in men's 10m rifle)
Because of the cybernetic enhancements given to Mindphasers, members of the Mindphaser Division are not allowed to participate in the Olympics - not that they care much about sport anyway! But Uralicans know how to shoot, and are medal threats across the board - even the smallest estimates have Uralica leaving with at least four medals in the fifteen events! The Olympic veterans are Cape Town rifle bronze medallist Vladimir Maslennikov and his counterpart amongst the women, Daria Vdovina, who won silver. With them, though, are a solid group of youth shooters who actually have the competition more worried than the vets! (Maslennikov isn't exactly old, either!)
Rifle
Men's 10m Air Rifle - Vladimir Maslennikov (25, Nizhnyaya Tura, SEU), Iosif Kavelin (20, Vorkuta, KML)
Women's 10m Air Rifle - Daria Vdovina (31, Izhevsk), Masha Koryazhmina (19, Koryazhma, VIE)
Mixed 10m Air Rifle - Maslennikov, Kavelin, Vdovina, and Koryazhmina
Men's 50m Rifle, Three Positions - Dmitry Yuvalov (23, Khalmer-Yu, KML), Risto Marttila (20, Suojärvi, KAR)
Women's 50m Rifle, Three Positions - Ayle Yavrova (21, Umba, SAP), Fabiana Pankrateva (20, Tavda, SEU)
Pistol
Men's 10m Air Pistol - Walter Fen (26, Surgut), Daniil Renatov (20, Khanto, YAM)
Women's 10m Air Pistol - Maire Laukkanen (22, Mujehdjärvi, KAR), Shalina Esau-Rantamäki (25, Uusisointula, GYK)
Mixed Team 10m Air Pistol - Fen, Renatov, Laukkanen, Esau-Rantamäki
Men's 25m Pistol - Gord Rantamäki (27, Uusisointula, GYK), Travis Laukkonen (18, Usovuori, KML).
Women's 25m Pistol - Renata Sanguskaya (21, Sindor, KML), Klarina Yeremeyeva (20, Kainu, PMA).
Shotgun
Men's Skeet Shooting - Kaido Käärik (20, Kirov), Yeremey Nikolayevsky (22, Leshukonskoye, VIE).
Women's Skeet Shooting - Lizanka Mikhaylova (22, Dobryanka, PMA), Sevira Kovlyova (20, Khalmer-Sede, YAM).
Men's Trap Shooting - Aatu Mäkelä (19, Alakurtti, SAP), Stepan Golovtsov (21, Long-Yugan, YAM).
Women's Trap Shooting - Oksana Dityatyeva (21, Pelym, SEU), Vilma Räikkönen (20, Koutero, SAP).
Mixed Team Trap Shooting - Mäkelä, Golovtsov, Dityayeva, and Räikkönen.
SKATEBOARDING (9 Uralican athletes)
Medals in 2016: 0
Racing
Uralica is more likely to medal in the races, especially in street luge, where Markku Laasala is a defending world champion and Dasha Rybarikova won silver at the last X-Games. They'll of course be in tough, but they have a chance here.
Men's Downhill - Ruslan Belanov (25, Yekaterinburg, GYK).
Women's Downhill - Roza Kusevitskaya (23, Kirov), Anna Mauranen (25, Berezniki, SBZ).
Men's Slalom - Miikka Koski (20, Cherepovets).
Women's Slalom - Mauranen.
Men's Street Luge - Markku Laasala (24, Sortavala, KAR)
Women's Street Luge - Dasha Rybarikova (20, Kirov)
Freestyle
While Uralica is improving in freestyle skateboarding, according to the USBF, there's "no way" that Uralica will medal in any of these, still all dominated by North America, Brazil, and Oceania. There are only three athletes competing between the six events.
Men's Vert - Valo Järvilehto (27, Petroskoi, KAR), Fadey Glebov (23, Perm').
Women's Vert - Tonya Fedotova (26, Syktyvkar).
Men's Street - Glebov.
Women's Street - Fedotova.
Men's Park - Järvilehto.
Women's Park - Fedotova.
Men's Freestyle Combined - Glebov, Järvilehto.
Women's Freestyle Combined - Fedotova.
SPORT CLIMBING (4 Uralican athletes)
New event in 2020
Uralica has entered a few climbers, but there's very little chance of them medalling with Himalayan-Pamiri nations expected to sweep the medals. The NCIS' best bets are from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Dagestan, Nokhchynya, and Transcaucasia.
Men's Bouldering (Individual) - Sergey Yuvalov (36, Salyakharad, YAM)
Women's Bouldering (Individual) - Viktoria Usina (28, Vorkuta, KML)
Men's Lead Climbing (Team) - no athletes qualified
Women's Lead Climbing (Team) - no athletes qualified
Men's Speed Climbing (Individual) - Gavriil Patsayev (33, Kachkanar, SEU)
Women's Speed Climbing (Individual) - Lilja Kantee (28, Hiipinä, SAP)
SQUASH (6 Uralican athletes)
Medals in 2016: 0
Uralica is sending six squash players, with one each of the men's and women's doubles teams joining together for the mixed doubles team. They aren't expected to medal, but they are pretty solid nonetheless. Men's singles player Devin Kohl, ranked fourteenth, is considered one of the more entertaining players in world squash!
Men's Singles - Devin Kohl (25, Noshul, KML).
Women's Singles - Zlata Lebedeva (31, Verkhnyaya Pyshma, GYK).
Men's Doubles - Kirill Trushin (26, Yakshur-Bödya, UDM) and Vladimir Adamov (29, Kirovo-Chepetsk, VTK).
Women's Doubles - Amira Sayetova (25, Mozhga, UDM) and Minttu Nimonen (23, Saransk, MRD).
Mixed Doubles - Adamov and Nimonen.
SURFING
New event in 2020
A new Olympic sport, Uralica wasn't expected to send a team, since next to nobody surfs in Uralica! It's primarily a Pacific Rim thing, with NCIS' best bets for a medal in surfing - which are next-to-nonexistent, by the way - being Siberia and Crimea.
TABLE TENNIS (6 Uralican athletes)
Medals in 2016: 0
China have monopolised gold in this sport for the last two decades. It is not expected for anyone else to win, but instead, everyone else will be scrambling for silver. Uralica will be fortunate if they even make the last eight, even if they are decent.
Men's Singles - Igor Podgornyy (23, Murmansk, SAP).
Women's Singles - Tähti Lajunen (25, Kirov).
Men's Team - Stanislav Tsirempilov (27, Ukhta, USG) and Lauri Iisop (22, Cherepovets).
Women's Team - Yelena Yegorova (25, Lyambir', MRD) and Milana Chuvashiyeva (22, Ulator, CHU)
Mixed Doubles - Tsirempilov and Chuvashiyeva.
TAEKWONDO (15 Uralican athletes)
(Follows World Taekwondo's Weight Class system; class names stay same although weight differs between men and women.)
Medals in 2016: 4 (gold in men's +80 kg, silver in women's 49kg and men's 80kg, bronze in women's +67kg)
Post-Dispersion Uralica's first-ever gold medal came in taekwondo as this 6'7", 300+ pound whirlwind named Jarkko Salomäki dazzled the spectators with his surprising speed and technique considering his size. Of course, his power resulted in him knocking three opponents out, all with perfectly legal techniques. He's not the only Uralican that is a contender for a medal, though. Taekwondo has been expanded tremendously, going from four weight classes with sixteen competitors each to eight weight classes with thirty-two each, and introducing a bronze medal match. Uralica, along with South Korea, Azerbaijan, and Great Britain, is one of four nations that qualified an athlete for every weight class.
Men's Finweight - Mikhail Astapkov (18, Artyomovsky, GYK)
Women's Finweight - Kesä Luoma (25, Kirov)
Men's Flyweight - Konstantin Demidenko (31, Aramil-Svetly, GYK)
Women's Flyweight - Martina Sanshina (28, Perm')
Men's Bantamweight - Radoslav Kamin (30, Cherdyn, PMA)
Women's Bantamweight - Olichka Leshcheva (20, Montsa, SAP)
Men's Featherweight - Yakov Shcherbin (29, Perm')
Women's Featherweight - Tina Uvarova (24, Balezino, UDM)
Men's Lightweight - Erke Järve (28, Slobodskoy, VTK)
Women's Lightweight - Tatyana Volchova (27, Chusovoi, PMA)
Men's Welterweight - Reijo Keskitalo (30, Petroskoi, KAR)
Women's Welterweight - Irja Korpi (21, Kolosjoki, SAP)
Men's Middleweight - Bátor Bednarik (26, Yekaterinburg, GYK)
Women's Middleweight - Susanna Tyurina (25, Verkhnyaya Sinyachikha, SEU)
Men's Heavyweight - Jarkko Salomäki.
Women's Heavyweight - Varvara Mokasheva (31, Tengzhele, MRD)
TENNIS (6 Uralican athletes)
Medals in 2016: 0
With Maria Sharapova declining to go to the Olympics, Uralica instead relies on its youth movement, including 19-year-old Oksana Ligacheva from Izhevsk and 22-year-old Márton Gyulái from Surgut. Not expected to medal, but tennis tends to be one of the more unpredictable sports with regards to medals, so who knows? Our kids have already won their premier ATP titles, so there's no ruling them out!
Men's Singles - Márton Gyulái (22, Surgut).
Women's Singles - Oksana Ligacheva (19, Izhevsk), Lyudmilla Samsonova (21, Olenegorsk, SAP)
Men's Doubles - Gyulái and Iiro Salonen (22, Vorkuta, KML).
Women's Doubles - Valeriya Savinykh (29, Yekaterinburg, GYK) and Karoliina Riihijärvi (18, Vologda)
Mixed Doubles - Salonen and Savinykh.
TRIATHLON
Medals in 2016: 0
Cycling, swimming, running. Even if Uralica is only a threat in the first of the three in isolation, when combined, there are a couple of possible threats for either gender; the mixed relay team isn't expected to medal.
Men's - Taisto Sinisalo (25, Novy Burnabiy, GYK), Viktor Nikolayevsky (33, Karpinsk, SEU), Naum Ivakin (28, Votka, UDM)
Women's - Aleksandra Kafelnikova (28, Vologda), Svetlana Vasilevskaya (25, Sysert, SEU), Jasmin Tammela (22, Raivola, KAR)
Mixed Relay - Sinisalo, Ivakin, Kafelnikova, and Vasilevskaya.
ULTIMATE FRISBEE (12 teams per gender, 22 Uralican athletes)
New event in 2020
A demo sport from 2016 that has slowly been gaining popularity outside of North America, Uralica is regarded as the best team in the NCIS at Ultimate, a sport that Uralica and Russia are trying to spread throughout the area. There are twelve participating nations in each gender (of which 10 are participating in both men's and women's) and of those, it is close between all of them as to who might win the first-ever gold medal, even if Cascadia won the trial in 2016. Uralica is participating in both men's and women's, so be sure to tune in for this fun and fast-paced sport! All teams have seven starters and four subs, but as to whom will end up as what on Uralica's teams, that hasn't really been decided! The only confirmed starters are the two team captains, who are 2016 returns.
Men's - Valery Poryzinsky (21, Yekaterinburg, GYK), Arkhip Sapozhinsky (28, Gornyy Shchit, GYK), Aleksandr Zerbaliyev (26, Karakulino, UDM), Samuil Izhevsky (25, Izhevsk), Atte Pulkkinen (32, Viipuri, KAR, team captain), Hosea Froese (19, Kirov), Altti Turttonen (23, Kirov), Heino Tiihonen (25, Uusisointula, GYK), Oros Nyilás (22, Nizhny Tagil), Keresztes Hájos (27, Kogalym, YGR), Sylvester Kangas (25, Karhumägi, KAR).
Women's - Andreya Ostrogorskaya (28, Olenegorsk, SAP), Sofia Beregovaya (25, Yekaterinburg, GYK), Alyona Lyakhova (27, Perm'), Mirana Zubova (21, Lashma, MRD), Sveta Yevdokimova (23, Sarapul, UDM), Veronika Zhidkova (29, Perm'), Yana Drevnerusskaya (33, Revda, SEU, team captain), Janika Hättölä (20, Raduzhnyy, YGR), Senja Haukka (22, Uusisointula, GYK), Evelina Király (25, Sosnogorsk, USG), Klára Guba (28, Zapadnyy Yekaterinburg, GYK).
VOLLEYBALL (16 teams per gender)(24 Uralican athletes)
Medals in 2016: 2 (silver in men's, bronze in women's)
Indoor
New kid on the block Uralica gave some of the "volleyball giants" (such as Brazil, Cuba, Cascadia, China, and Japan) a colossal scare in Cape Town as they went on to win silver in men's volleyball (with exactly the same team they have this year!) and bronze in women's (with three players who aren't returning from 2016, of which one has retired), with the team that beat them winning gold in both genders. Although Jarkko Salomäki is an adept volleyball player, he "already has too much on his plate" with MMA, taekwondo, mountain biking, and kickboxing, so he's not going to be participating in this event. 12 players per team.
Men's - Igor Kobzar (28, Surgut), Artyom Volvich (30, Nizhnevartovsk, YGR), Artyom Yermakov (38, Nizhnevartovsk, YGR, team captain), Roman Ortov (26, Darovskoy, VTK), Artur Patsayev (23, Yekaterinburg, GYK), Stefan Temnikov (27, Kanash, CHU), Vladimir Kiryakov (25, Yekaterinburg, GYK), Osmo Hynninen (27, Petroskoi, KAR), Sulo Väärälä (24, Kirov), Jalmara Vuorinen (28, Kirov), Edvards Jumārs (25, Cherepovets), Ádam Nemesnyik (24, Megion, YGR).
Women's - Yekaterina Pankova (30, Yekaterinburg, GYK), Ariadna Beryozovskaya (25, Berezniki, SBZ), Borislava Glebova (27, Sosnogorsk, USG), Ira Artamova (29, Yekaterinburg, GYK), Dora Pantyukhova (25, Omutninsk, VTK), Shoshanna Samoylova (23, Votka, UDM), Nadezhda Trubacheva (26, Kizner, UDM), Mia Democheva (22, Punaturjala, SEU), Iris Mäkinen (20, Cherepovets), Annaliisa Rahnasto (24, Punaturjala, SEU), Joan Hagen (25, Syktyvkar), Lena Plett (21, Luza, VTK).
Beach
Not surprisingly, Uralica is not a beach volleyball threat, because Uralica scarcely has any proper beaches! No surprises that they didn't qualify, either. The NCIS' best bets for a medal are the Caspian Sea and Black Sea nations, with probably the most likely of these being Transcaucasia.
WEIGHTLIFTING (14 Uralican athletes)
(Follows Olympic classes rather than IWF classes)
Medals in 2020: 3 (gold in women's 55kg, bronze in women's 87kg and +87kg)
Uralica does have a shot at several medals in weightlifting, especially women's weightlifting, where the worst finish was fifth and Karola Szilágyi brought home the gold. The majority of Uralican weightlifters are either Russian or Russo-Uralic.
Men's
61 kg - Karl Dyck (33, Pazhga, KML)
67 kg - Aleksandr Turov (34, Yekaterinburg, GYK)
73 kg - Padorin Rozhestvensky (30, Yoshkar-Ola, MAR)
81 kg - Ilppo Kankkunen (37, Kirov)
96 kg - Ovdey Gavrilov (35, Syumsi, UDM)
109 kg - Chayan Solaymanov (33, Shemursha, CHU)
+109 kg - Valentin Ulyanov (40, Arkhangel'sk, DSD)
Women's
49 kg - Masha Fadeyeva (32, Lysva, PMA)
55 kg - Karola Szilágyi (35, Yugrakar, YGR)
59 kg - Janna Selänne-Gavrilova (34, Syumsi, UDM)
64 kg - Tina Shuyskaya (32, Izhevsk)
76 kg - Lyuda Klyugina (36, Chusovoi, PMA)
87 kg - Natasha Vychegdina (33, Zheshart, KML)
+87 kg - Laysan Rakhmanova (34, Ägerce, UDM)
WRESTLING (18 Uralican athletes)
Medals in 2016: 5 (silver in men's freestyle 125kg, bronze in men's freestyle 97kg, women's freestyle 53kg and 68kg, and men's Greco-Roman 130kg)
Uralican wrestlers brought home five medals - four of them bronze - from wrestling in Cape Town 2016. The number could increase or decrease slightly.
Freestyle
Men's 57 kg - Valery Koulikovsky (19, Surgut)
Men's 65 kg - Stanislav Faustin (28, Yekaterinburg, GYK)
Men's 74 kg - Jyri Sorsa (31, Koslan, KML)
Men's 86 kg - Valery Semagov (25, Murmansk, SAP)
Men's 97 kg - Káplony Vámos (32, Juganvar, YGR)
Men's 125 kg - Luka Batukhtin (32, Perm')
Women's 50 kg - Rayna Sokolova (30, Belorechensk, VTK)
Women's 53 kg - Hedvig Pokorni (31, Pyshma, SEU)
Women's 57 kg - Valya Rosikhina (29, Gubakha, PMA)
Women's 62 kg - Vikentiya Anatolyeva (27, Kushva, SEU)
Women's 68 kg - Hemmo Ruoho (30, Petroskoi, KAR)
Women's 76 kg - Marfa Gogunova (28, Nizhnevartovsk, YGR)
Greco-Roman
Men's 60 kg - Leonti Prinkhassov (30, Emva, KML)
Men's 67 kg - Soini Nousiainen (29, Severomorsk, SAP)
Men's 77 kg - Nikita Sotnikov (27, Cherepovets)
Men's 87 kg - Berény Kovács (31, Nyagan, YGR)
Men's 97 kg - Taras Spaseniyev (35, Aramil, GYK)
Men's 130 kg - Artur Saveliyev (33, Perm')
WUSHU (16 Uralican athletes)
(Follows Judo weight classes for Sanda events)
Not held in 2016
As with karate, Uralicans do fairly well in the actual fighting (sanda) but not nearly as well in the form demonstrations (taolu). Uralica qualified for all but one sanda event, but only qualified for three taolu events.
Sanda
Men's
60 kg - no athletes qualified
66 kg - Stefan Sosunov (26, Perm')
73 kg - Kaapo Salmi (28, Arkhangel'sk, DSD)
81 kg - Boris Antyukhin (27, Kotlas, VIE)
90 kg - Andrian Zuybimov (24, Vologda)
100 kg - Dénes Fekete (28, Surgut)
+100 kg - Oleg Nagalitsev (27, Surgut)
Women's
48 kg - Jázmin Sándor (28, Syktyvkar)
52 kg - Magdalena Chernitskaya (22, Cheboksary, CHU)
57 kg - Anna Vladigerova (27, Izhevsk)
63 kg - Ritva Ikola (25, Murmansk, SAP)
70 kg - Emma Ahoniemi (26, Viipuri, KAR)
78 kg - Lana Ponyatovskaya (24, Novy Urengoy, YAM)
+78 kg - Szabina Pálffy (28, Surgut)
Taolu
Men's Individual Combined (choice of five of the thirteen allowed categories) - no athletes qualified
Women's Individual Combined (choice of five of the thirteen allowed categories) - no athletes qualified
Men's Individual Barehanded (choice of one of Changquan, Nanjuan, Taijiquan, and Xingyiquan) - Oli-Pekka Hannila (changquan, 26, Malymash, VTK)
Women's Individual Barehanded (choice of one of Changquan, Nanjuan, Taijiquan, and Baguazhang) - Darya Kutuzova (changquan, 30, Perm')
Men's Individual Short Weapon(s) (choice of one of Daoshu, Jianshu, Nandao, Taijijuan, and Shuangdao) - no athletes qualified
Women's Individual Short Weapon(s) (choice of one of Daoshu, Jianshu, Nandao, Taijijuan, and Shuangjian) - no athletes qualified
Men's Individual Long Weapon (choice of one of Gunshu, Qiangshu, and Nangun) - Varsány Pecely (gunshu, 24, Artyomovsky, GYK)
Women's Individual Long Weapon (choice of one of Gunshu, Qiangshu, and Nangun) - no athletes qualified
FIRST ROUND OF IIHF WORLDS OVER
Time for Round Robin #2.
The first round of the IIHF World Ice Hockey Championships proper ended today, with Transcaucasia, Slovakia, Germany, and Slovenia off to the relgation round, where two teams will drop. The five-game second-round, which goes five consecutive days without a break, starts tomorrow.
The second round takes the 1st, 3rd, and 5th-place teams of one group and intertwines them with the other group's 2nd, 4th, and 6th. Here's how that panned out:
Group C (Stockholm/Göteborg) - Canada, Uralica, Finland, New USA, Siberia, Dakota
Uralica didn't lose to Nordland by much, so this group is going to really be tough. Anticipating that only one of the two American teams will go to the quarters, and there's a slim chance that neither will. Siberia really disappointed in the opening round, and if they play like that this round there's no way they make the quarters.
Group D (Malmö/Copenhagen) - Nordland, Russia, Ural-Altai, Czechia, Baltika, Switzerland
All it took was one bad bounce for Switzerland to get one over on plucky Slovenia. It isn't expected that they'll go to the quarters. Baltika actually did surprisingly well all things considered, and since IMO the Czechs are playing at a lower calibre than the Americans were, I would not be surprised to see Baltika yank the quarterfinal spot from them. Ural-Altai was beastly in the opening round. Unless they tank it something fierce, I can't see them not being in the QFs.
Relegation Group (Oslo/Växjö) - Germany, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Transcaucasia.
It would be almost unthinkable for Slovakia to drop, and Transcaucasia is out of its league except for Nikita Kucherov. That leaves underperforming Germany and defensively-stingy Slovenia to fight it out for the other drop spot. On paper.
The IIHF is discussing the possibility of allowing players from the Stanley Cup Final to play the remainder of the worlds after its completion, with Game 5 going tonight in Vancouver with the Canucks up 3-1. This would give a boost to a few teams: Canada would have adept two-way centre Bo Horvat and defencemen Chris Tanev and Dean Chapman available from Vancouver, and goalie Carey Price, defenceman Shea Weber, and forwards Brendan Gallagher, Max Domi, and Lorne Christopher from Montreal, Dakota would get Brock Boeser from Vancouver, Finland would get Artturi Lehkonen from Montreal and goalie Raimo Vasama from Vancouver, the New US would get JT Miller from Vancouver, and Nordland would get hotshot Elias Pettersson and possibly defenceman Alex Edler from Vancouver, and defenceman Erik Karlsson from Montreal. Uralica would get Matvey Kolpakov and Kurtis Schaeffer from the Canucks. With the Worlds tournament running until 5 June, this seems likely.
INLINE HOCKEY (16 teams each, 50 Uralican athletes)
New event in 2020
Let's be honest here. With perhaps the exception of Dakota, any country that excels at ice hockey also excels at inline, even though the rankings are a bit different. It isn't as physical as ice hockey, though, so none of the NHL "tough guys" would be seen here regardless. This is where Uralica's prowess in bandy helps, as the national team is generally a mix of bandy and ice hockey players for men. The women, on the other hand, are almost all members of the national ice hockey team (only two bandy players on the team, as most of those play rink hockey)! Uralica's highest placement in a World Inline Championship is 5th for men and 2nd for women, so while they're a contender for medals in both, the women have higher expectations of them going in. Each nation is allowed a maximum squad of 25 players, and they are allowed to dress 20 players. Players from the hockey team are indicated with "H" and from the bandy team with "B."
Men's Team: (captain Matvey Kolpakov, alternate captains Graham Kostamo and Lothar Biel)
Goalies (3): Antip Dolokhov (H, 31, Murmansk, SAP), Steven Funk (H, 28, Uni, VTK), Juha-Matti Järvinen (B, 25, Murmansk, SAP).
Defenders: (8) Graham Kostamo (H, 35, Kirov), Yuri Vasilyev (H, 34, Orichi, VTK), Karp Bezukhov (B, 30, Yoshkar-Ola, MAR), Miron Volsky (H, 26, Yekaterinburg, GYK), Marat Loginov (B, 26, Novodvinsk, DSD), Erik Talvinen (H, 23, Petroskoi, KAR), Ohto Saarela (H/B, 25, Lashma, MRD), Brad Wall (B, 22, Pazhga, KML).
Wingers (9): RW Kurtis Schaeffer (H, 28, Pazhga, KML), LW Dirk Schaeffer (H, 33, Pazhga, KML), LW Lothar Biel (H, 33, Vizinga, KML), RW Gilmetdin Ilgamov (B, 30, Izhevsk), LW/RW Rudolf Weber (H, 25, Kirov), RW Semyon Malyeshev (B, 28, Nizhnyaya Tura, SEU), LW Trofim Buchkiyev (H, 23, Rudnichnyy, YGR), LW Oleg Koltin (B, 27, Nizhnevartovsk, YGR), Vesa Toikka (B, 21, Onega, VIE).
Centres (5): Matvey Kolpakov (H, 32, Yoshkar-Ola, MAR), Cam Niskanen (H, 31, Syktykar), Joonatan Reima (B, 24, Sokol, SKH), Jouko Karvinen (H, 22, Syktyvkar), Emánuel Oimeracz (H, 23, Tráty, KML).
Women's Team (all hockey players unless otherwise noted; captain Sonya Golitsina, alternate captains Tatyana Mizirova and Jessika Nikkanen):
Goalies (3): Lukiya Gretchaninova (30, Izhevsk), Izabella Szabados (26, Surgut), Jenni Lahikainen (23, Novaya Viktoria, GYK)
Defenders (8): Svetlana Georgiyeva (26, Kirov), Alla Golitsina (25, Kirovo-Chepetsk, VTK), Sonya Golitsina (31, Alapayevsk, SEU), Ervina Malashenko (25, Salomäk-Ola, MAR), Päivi Kukkamo (24, Nizhnyaya Tura, SEU), Laina Valtola (B, 27, Montsa, SAP), Elsa Lempinen (24, Vytegra, SKH), Jana Kamp (28, Syktyvkar)
Wingers (9): RW Jessika Nikkanen (28, Darovskoy, VTK), RW Sanya Voleykova (26, Gubkinsky, YAM), RW Katya Bogdanova (20, Nizhny Tagil), RW Rauna Lampela (28, Vienankemi, KAR), RW/LW Maria Kozlova (27, Sukhoy Log, SEU), LW Adrienn Gara (30, Langepas, YGR), LW Mia Wiebe (23, Pazhga, KML), LW Nadezhda Katenina (27, Kholmogory, VIE), LW Liisa Söderholm (24, Viipuri, KAR)
Centres (5): Tatyana Mizirova (B, 28, Saransk, MRD), Snezhana Fedotova (25, Uni, VTK), Kulta Riikola (27, Kungur, PMA), Salli Verkko (26, Syktyvkar), Eha Luup (30, Kirov).
INLINE/ROLLER SKATING
Medals in 2016: 1 (bronze, women's 1500m short-track)
The summer equivalents of these winter sports made their debut at the 2016 Cape Town Olympics, opening up new avenues for speed-skaters to participate in summer events. Uralica's participation is expanded this year, but they aren't expected to medal on the long track. The short track was a complete gong-show last year with a world record (for any ISTSS event) 22 disqualifications, including two men's skaters - one Chinese and one Cascadian - being disqualified for dirty tactics in the 1500m final, and the medal race having to be done over because nobody finished as a result of it! The aftermath saw three "lucky losers" promoted into the five-man final, rather than just giving the gold, silver, and bronze to non-finishers, of whom one was injured and had to withdraw. This resulted in a rather bizarre exchange of fisticuffs between the heads of the Hungarian and Cascadian Olympic Federations, as the non-finisher who was injured was Tamás Göncz, who was favoured to win gold in that event and the 1000m. He had been hauled down by Cascadia's Eric Hartland and fell awkwardly. As such, Hartland was barred from this year's tryouts by the Cascadian Olympic Association on IOC recommendation (as was Chinese skater Zhong Bai by the OCFC for kicking Korea's Lim Hyo-Jun's feet out from under him from behind). While this did bump Uralican Khabibula Mekhdiyev into the final as a result, he officially finished fifth, coming in dead-last in the medal race. But Leena Kalle brought us home a medal in 2016, a bronze in the 1500 (and she also finished fourth in the 1000). The more artistic events are new this year, and Uralica isn't thought to have a chance in any of them.
Inline Speed Skating (8 Uralican athletes)
Uralica does have the potential to medal here, but they aren't really expected to, ahead of the likes of Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, Germany, or Cascadia.
Men's 500m - Jarmo Karjalainen (25, Murmansk, SAP), Koomas Kotli (27, Totma, SKH).
Women's 500m - Carly Giesbrecht (20, Koigort, KML), Natasha Stolyarova (26, Perm').
Men's 1000m - Karjalainen, Kotli.
Women's 1000m - Stolyarova.
Men's 1500m - Karjalainen, Kotli.
Women's 1500m - Zoya Predikina (29, Belozersk, SKH).
Women's 3000m - Predikina, Elena Beregovaya (24, Lapyt-Nank, YAM).
Women's 5000m - Beregovaya.
Men's 5000m - Trevor Järvinen (24, Sindor, KML), Makar Pralnikov (23, Vysotsky, YGR).
Men's 10000m - Järvinen, Pralnikov.
Men's Mass Start - Pralnikov.
Women's Mass Start - Predikina, Beregovaya.
Men's Team Pursuit - Järvinen, Pralnikov, Karjalainen, Kolti (as backup).
Women's Team Pursuit - Giesbrecht, Stolyarova, Predikina, Beregovaya.
Inline Short-Track Speed Skating (8 Uralican athletes)
Short-track is even closer, so if Uralica medals in any inline speed skating, it is likely to be in the short track. Often marketed as "NASCAR on ice," the physical strength of the Uralicans will come in handy against the skilled but aggressive Chinese, the dominant Koreans, and their BFFs from Canada.
Men's 500m - Vlasi Klavdiyev (27, Porancha, MAR), Aalto Niiranen (31, Aramil, GYK).
Women's 500m - Natasha Privalova (23, Gryazovets, SKH).
Men's 1000m - Klavdiyev, Aladár Szalay (28, Veliski, VIE).
Women's 1000m - Privalova, Klara Marchenko (28, Nizhny Tagil), Leena Kalle (30, Omutninsk, VTK)
Men's 1500m - Szalay, Khabibula Mekhdiyev (31, Yulser-Ola, MAR).
Women's 1500m - Kalle, Marchenko.
Men's 3000m relay - Klavdiyev, Niiranen, Szalay, Mekhdiyev.
Women's 3000m relay - Privalova, Marchenko, Kalle, Rufina Saldin (19, Verkhnyaya Salda, SEU).
Inline Vert Skating (4 Uralican athletes)
A North American-dominated discipline, Uralica did qualify a couple skaters in each gender, but they aren't expected to medal.
Men's - Russ Vedder (25, Ubb, KML), Tero Litamainen (20, Syktyvkar)
Women's - Paula Lassinen (22, Voyachu, KAR), Marfa Zhukov (26, Aramil, GYK)
Roller Vert Skating (4 Uralican athletes)
A North American-dominated discipline, Uralica did qualify a couple skaters in each gender, but they aren't expected to medal here, either.
Men's - Esa Lahtela (24, Kuiksk, YGR), Santeri Lumme (18, Cherepovets).
Women's - Osma Väänänen (27, Pudozh, KAR), Lara Onegina (28, Nyandoma, VIE)
Inline Freestyle (3 Uralican athletes)
As with the vert events, Uralica isn't expected to medal, especially amongst women, who only qualified a single skater.
Men's - Kai Rogachyov (27, Novy Urengoy, YAM), Lance Dirks (20, Syktyvkar)
Women's - Anya Temnikova (19, Tavda, SEU)
Roller Freestyle (1 Uralican athlete)
And yet again, Uralica's not expected to medal. One skater per gender from Uralica.
Men's - Lance Dirks
Women's - Jennifer Luukkonen (21, Uusisointula, GYK)
JAI ALAI (5 Uralican athletes)
New event in 2020
This fast-paced sport which originated in Old Spain is still dominated by its inventors, the Euskadians; much like rugby or cricket with the British Empire, it is still largely confined to former Spanish Empire nations, which makes it all the more surprising that Uralica even qualified at all! No medals are expected, but already, the Latins are impressed that a non-Latin nation has made it this far and as such Uralica already has their respect. It re-debuted in 2016 as a demonstration sport and has been included as a full sport this year thanks to Japan taking an interest in it from Cape Town!
Men's Singles - Jarmo Tormanen (29, Karhumägi, KAR)
Women's Singles - Jenni Olsen (25, Syktyvkar)
Men's Doubles - Tormanen, Toni Mäkelä (30, Pindushi, KAR)
Women's Doubles - Maggie Baehr (21, Pazhga, KML), Éva Halmai (24, Tráty, KML).
Mixed Doubles - Mäkelä and Halmai.
JUDO (14 Uralican athletes)
(Follows World Judo Federation/Olympic judo classes)
Medals in 2016: 3 (gold, women's +78kg, silver, men's 90k, bronze, women's 48kg)
Although Transcaucasia and Dagestan are expected to fare better amongst NCIS nations, Uralica's judokas are pretty formidable as well. One analyst said, "Uralica's not the biggest dark horse, but they aren't exactly odds-on favourites, either. They will probably end up nabbing a medal or two out of the whole thing. Uralica qualified one judoka per weight class across the board.
Men's
60 kg - Etan Semyonov (25, Uva, Udmurtia).
66 kg - Gennadiy Porkhomov (32, Yekaterinburg, GYK).
73 kg - Artturi Talvela (29, Inta, KML).
81 kg - Qasim Sadikov (33, Perm').
90 kg - Albert Csepel (31, Konosha, VIE).
100 kg - Ori Makarichev (30, Syktyvkar).
+100 kg - Naum Galperin (27, Sarapul, UDM).
Women's
48 kg - Anneli Jaatinen (29, Severomorsk, SAP).
52 kg - Liina Sointu (25, Kirovgrad, SEU).
57 kg - Dakota Siemens (23, Kirov)
63 kg - Sussa Jääskeläinen (30, Arkhangel'sk, DSD)
70 kg - Lumi Taipale (34, Shuomua, KAR)
78 kg - Andreya Zhukova (35, Asbest, SEU)
+78 kg - Luba Averkiyeva (33, Khanto, YAM)
KARATE (10 Uralican athletes)
(Follows World Karate Federation weight classes)
Medals in 2016: 0
Uralican karatekas tend to do well in kumite (actual fighting), although they have yet to win an Olympic medal. The highest finishes in Cape Town were fourth by four different competitors. On the other hand, they didn't even qualify in the kata (technique) demonstration this time!
Men's
60kg - Taito Valkeapää (27, Yekaterinburg, GYK).
67kg - Aron Mikhaylov (28, Cherdyn, PMA)
75kg - Mihály Zsoldos (24, Juganvar, YGR)
84kg - Ilarion Krylov (31, Kushva, SEU)
+84kg - Porfiry Linchuk (28, Tavda, SEU)
Kata demonstration - no athletes qualified
Women's
50kg - Mikhayla Aleksandrova (22, Ukhta, USG)
55kg - Lyydiä Talola (26, Glazov, UDM)
61kg - Shakhar Yeshayakhov (25, Votka, UDM)
68kg - Marjaana Jokinen (31, Vologda)
+68kg - Kseniya Karnova (28, Revda, SEU)
Kata demonstration - no athletes qualified
MIXED MARTIAL-ARTS (28 Uralican athletes)
(Follows Olympic boxing weight classes)
Medals in 2016: 9 (gold in men's superheavyweight, and women's flyweight, featherweight, and welterweight, silver in women's lightweight, bronze in men's featherweight, welterweight, and cruiserweight, and women's middleweight)
Make no mistake about it. Uralica is a major power in MMA, having won nine total medals, including four gold, at Cape Town! Our military requirements for unarmed combat combined with a certain killer instinct mean that Uralica is a contender (if not a favourite) amongst both men and women in every weight class on the books. Jarkko Salomäki is one of two Uralican superheavyweights out of 32 qualified (all weight classes have this number of participants, with Uralica qualifying between one and three for each). With his unorthodox mix of Brazilian jiujitsu, sambo, taekwondo, and Muaythai and Pencak Silat kickboxing, he is the #1 favourite to win gold in the superheavyweight division, even against the likes of Dakotan grappling expert Brock Lesnar. And he isn't alone by any means! The expectations for Uralica are very high, with some pundits going so far as to predict double-digit numbers of golds - not just medals, golds - for Uralica in this discipline! And don't forget that defending superheavyweight champion Boris Svechnikov is also in the hunt! Should Lesnar not show up to Tokyo 2020, or even if he does, there are some predicting an all-Uralican superheavyweight final!
Women's Finweight (48kg) - Asja Holopainen (28, Sheksna, SKH), Nina Biryukova (22, Serov, SEU)
Men's Flyweight - Linus Rask (23, Koutero, SAP)
Women's Flyweight - Tanya Yoshkarolina (20, Yoshkar-Ola, MAR), Lynda Koshkarova (28, Orichi, VTK)
Men's Featherweight - Dmitri Shcherbin (31, Konosha, VIE), Pavel Nikitin (28, Saransk, MRD), Edgar Kull (20, Vaahruše, VTK).
Women's Featherweight - Hanna Ristinen (27, Viipuri, KAR), Nadya Lelyukh (28, Cheboksary, CHU)
Men's Lightweight - Kelly Vuorio (32, Gadzhiyevo, SAP), Rasmus Pöyhtäri (26, Perm')
Women's Lightweight - Galina Melikhanova (24, Pichi Purga, UDM), Andrea Fyodorova (27, Syktyvkar)
Men's Welterweight - Veijo Virtanen (33, Baltym, GYK), Sevastyan Rakov (26, Urai, YGR)
Women's Welterweight - Nastya Nemchinova (25, Käkshär, VTK), Donya Sheremetyeva (22, Tsykmä, MAR)
Men's Middleweight - Arttu Laaksonen (27, Raivola, KAR), Aki Laaksonen (27, Raivola, KAR)
Women's Middleweight - Yelena Iosifova (29, Bol'shaya Sosnova, PMA)
Men's Cruiserweight - Eliezer Votkin (30, Vostochnaya Votka, UDM), Robert Shamsutdin (21, Kozlovka, CHU), Kyle Aalto (24, Omutninsk, VTK)
Men's Heavyweight - Yakov Ishayev (20, Izhevsk), Yeremey Permiyev (23, Krasnokamsk, PMA), Tuomo Kukkonen (30, Uusisointula, GYK)
Men's Super-Heavyweight - Jarkko Salomäki, Boris Svechnikov (30, Nyadem, YAM)
MODERN PENTATHLON (2 Uralican athletes)
Medals in 2016: 0
Combining épée fencing, 200m swimming, show jumping, pistol target shooting, and 3200m worth of running (800m in between each round of target shooting), modern pentathlon is an all-around test of skill. Not expected to medal, Uralica has still qualified one pentathlete for each gender.
Men's - Yaroslav Arkhipov (27, Yekaterinburg, GYK)
Women's - Kaisu Pietinen (19, Shumerlya, CHU)
KICKBOXING (14 Uralican athletes)
(follows Olympic boxing weight classes)
New event in 2020
One of the reasons Uralica is so good at MMA is an explosion of various styles kickboxing in popularity in the country due to its intensity and usefulness in unarmed combat. Jarkko Salomäki, while he isn't officially a professional, is very proficient in this combat sport (almost as much so as taekwondo!), and while he isn't expected to dominate by quite the same margin, he is still a favourite to win gold in the superheavyweight division. Many of the entrants in MMA for Uralica are also participating in this. Olympic kickboxing allows for numerous styles to be utilised under the Unified Olympic Kickboxing Ruleset, which while it favours practitioners of Muaythai, also allows for (among others) Muaylao, western kickboxing, Pencak Silat, and hybrid styles like that of Jarkko Salomäki!
Women's Finweight (48kg) - Nina Biryukova, Sofia Sayfutdinov (28, Sarapul, UDM), Kaija Laitinen (25, Petroskoi, KAR)
Men's Flyweight - Maunu Korppi (30, Yekaterinburg, GYK), Lauru "Larry" Markkanen (34, Kirov)
Women's Flyweight - Tanya Yoshkarolina, Yulya Zubova (26, Izhevsk), Milenka Ignatyeva (25, Kotlas, VIE)
Men's Featherweight - Dmitri Shcherbin, Vladimir Mefodiyev (23, Malymash, VTK)
Women's Featherweight - Nadya Lelyukh
Men's Lightweight - Rasmus Pöyhtäri, Vyacheslav Vologodin (28, Vologda)
Women's Lightweight - Galina Melikhanova, Andrea Fyodorova
Men's Welterweight - Veijo Virtanen, Anisim Voronov (30, Balezino, UDM)
Women's Welterweight - Donya Sheremetyeva, Terhi Laukkanen (32, Kirov), Anni Kung (27, Vaahruše, VTK).
Men's Middleweight - Arttu and Aki Laaksonen
Women's Middleweight - Yelena Iosifova, Anja Turumäki (22, Rautu, KAR)
Men's Cruiserweight - Eliezer Votkin, Denis Tursunov (23, Nizhnevartovsk, YGR)
Men's Heavyweight - Yakov Ishayev, Tuomo Kukkonen
Men's Super-Heavyweight - Jarkko Salomäki, Boris Svechnikov, Maksim Khomutov (25, Zapadnyy Yekaterinburg, GYK)
RINK HOCKEY (12 teams each, 20 Uralican athletes)
New event in 2020
Basically field hockey on roller skates and very similar to bandy, Uralica is one of a few European nations that are expected to contend for a medal in rink hockey, although Portugal, Castille, Catalonia, Argentina, and Italy are the more likely favourites. Many members of Uralica's men's and women's bandy teams are expected to play rink hockey in Tokyo next year, although none of them are playing both rink hockey and inline hockey. 10 players per team, of which five (including one goalkeeper) are on at once.
Men's - GK Nazary Nagalitsev (26, Perm'), GK Aku Laitinen (28, Yekaterinburg, GYK), Nazary Orlov (25, Kirov), Yakov Tsilev (31, Izhevsk), Vyacheslav Neverov (29, Arkhangel'sk, DSD), Arseny Voloshin (30, Karhumägi, KAR), Tuukka Kotiranta (27, Sheksna, SKH), Mikko Lyytinen (23, Syktyvkar), Özséb Kurti (26, Surgut), Mátyás Seres (31, Emva, KML, captain).
Women's - GK Feodora Doletskaya (25, Megion, YGR), GK Cintia Ordina (28, Shabry, GYK), Diana Dratsheva (26, Pervouralsk, SEU), Eva Rudakova (23, Nevyansk, SEU), Grusha Chugaynova (30, Chernushka, PMA, captain), Rasima Khakimov (27, Kuyeda, PMA), Iines Marttinen (24, Cherepovets), Ritva Louhi (28, Louhi, KAR), Sohvi Kotiranta (25, Viipuri, KAR), Rayna Kotova (29, Severomorsk, SAP).
ROLLER SKIING (6 Uralican athletes).
New event in 2020
Nordland, Canada, and Uralica are expected to all but monopolise the medals in this relatively new Olympic sport. Other contenders include Germany, Dakota, Siberia, Ural-Altai, Russia, Finland, and surprisingly, even Tyva and Buryatia!
Men's Individual Sprint - Tomi Kivilahti (22, Uusiinari, SAP), Feodosi Soldatov (26, Pechora, KML), Jonas Sundholm (31, Snezhnogorsk, SAP).
Women's Individual Sprint - Linn Dahlen (27, Gadzhiyevo, SAP), Valeriya Sapozhinskaya (30, Aksarka, YAM), Rada Kondratenko (24, Kanash, CHU).
Men's Team Sprint - Kivilahti, Soldatov, Sundholm.
Women's Team Sprint - Dahlen, Sapozhinskaya, Kondratenko.
ROWING (45 Uralican athletes)
Medals in 2016: 1 (bronze, women's quad sculls)
The shortage of good flatwater hasn't limited Uralica's involvement in rowing, even though they aren't considered front-runners for medals in too many of these events. It is notable that most Uralican rowers are either from, or transplants to, western Uralica! The presence of Lake Ladoga, Lake Onega, Lake Beloozero, and Lake Kubenskoye there provide Uralica's main training grounds.
Men's Single Sculls - Jordan Postma (26, Vizinga, KML), Max Koop (31, Belozersk, SKH)
Women's Single Sculls - Svetik Morozova-Koop (29, Belozersk, SKH)
Men's Double Sculls - Postma and Koop.
Women's Double Sculls - Linda Vatanen (30, Pitkäranta, KAR) and Alexandra Spiridonova (29, Lipin Bor, SKH)
Men's Lightweight Double Sculls - Tikhon Ilchenko (33, Kondupohju, KAR) and Yov Tversky (35, Osa, PMA).
Women's Lightweight Double Sculls - Agnessa Lantseva (30, Konosha, VIE) and Ada Toporova (28, Shusht, SKH)
Men's Quad Sculls - Vladislav Ryabtsev (32, Sortavala, KAR), Vasiliy Korzhanenko (30, Lahdenpohju, KAR), Juhani Laukkila (28, Vytegra, SKH), and Martti Attinen (34, Sheksna, SKH).
Women's Quad Sculls - Yelena Linchuk (28, Sortavala, KAR), Reeta Kiljula (30, Sortavala, KAR), Petra Rinnekangas (26, Käkisalmi, KAR), and Elina Ojaste (29, Segezha, KAR)
Men's Coxless Pair - Sampo Pontinen (27, Cherepovets) and Mavriki "Maverick" Obukov (28, Cherepovets)
Women's Coxless Pair - Vlada Yeliseyeva (28, Sheksna, SKH) and Stepaniya Ryashkina (29, Koryazhma, VIE).
Men's Coxless Four - Ruslan Lyumzhinov (28, Vologda), Yelisey Shulgin (33, Isoustiuki, SKH), Demid Tyomkin (37, Yekaterinburg, GYK), and Kauko Kaltiainen (26, Voyachu, KAR).
Women's Coxless Four - Donya Apraksina (25, Pudozh, KAR), Yekaterina Zakarova (27, Vologda), Milla Sutila (24, Kaukjärvi, KAR), and Edit Rosner (27, Veliski, VIE)
Men's Eights - Edgar Korjus (27, Käkisalmi, KAR), Vlasiy Khostov (33, Käkisalmi, KAR), Lyov Matveyev (31, Kubenskoye, SKH), Mark Fyodorov (30, Vologda), Gavriil Komarov (33, Vologda), Anton Ilyev (25, Sokol, SKH), Aulis Hautamaa (27, Antrea, KAR), and Rauli Virolainen (28, Jääski, KAR).
Women's Eights - Olga Matveyeva (26, Podosinovets, VTK), Vaska Marfina (30, Murmashi, SAP), Selena Porkhomovskaya (25, Sokol, SKH), Svetlana Legotina (23, Krasavino, SKH), Maria Vinogrodova (27, Syktyvkar), Pieta Immonen (26, Lahdenpohju, KAR), Saara Niemelä (30, Cherepovets), and Manta Laaksola (27, Isoustiuki, SKH).
RUGBY (UNION RULES) (16 teams per gender per team size)(50 Uralican athletes)
Medals in 2016: 1 (bronze in women's sevens)
It's surprising how good Uralica is at rugby, but they aren't expected to medal in full squads in either gender (although their women have an outside chance). Sevens, on the other hand, is a forte of theirs. Typically dominated by teams from Oceania or South Africa on the men's side, the 2016 World Rugby Placement Tournament saw Uralica end up in the European Rugby Europe International Championships' second level, the Rugby Europe Trophy, and since then, they made the 2019 Rugby World Cup by winning their first-ever Rugby Europe Championship. During that tournament, Uralica made the quarterfinals, beating Tonga and the New United States and stunning Ireland to finish only behind the mighty All-Blacks of New Zealand. The result was good enough to book the full rugger team to Tokyo. They did, however, win bronze in the most recent World Rugby Sevens Championships. For the women, their qualification was a little more difficult and drawn out, but they came through it in style, finishing a very respectable second in the World Rugby Women's World Series (behind Australia). Most rugby sevens experts consider Uralica's women a threat for gold.
Men's Full Squad - Onanin Produnov (29, Kungur, PMA), Vyacheslav Shiryayev (31, Yekaterinburg, GYK), Kirill Serafimov (24, Inta, KML), Mark Labytnangiyev (27, Lapyt-Nank, YAM), Yoshua "Yoshi" Isakov (28, Igra, UDM), Ipati Chernitsky (32, Istok, GYK), Izrail Mikheyev (30, Rezh, SEU), Ivan-Kalvin Prokofyev (27, Kortkeros, KML), Röstäm Altinshyashov (28, Izhevsk), Islambäk Gilmetdinov (25, Krasnoufimsk, SEU), Antto Tikkanen (33, Kirov, team captain), Iiro Puurunen (23, Gryazovets, SKH), Ilmari Louhi (26, Cherepovets), David Riikonen (34, Tsivilsk, CHU), Kászon Solti (30, Juganvar, YGR), Toivo Idnurm (22, Vaahruše, VTK), R Arkady Pencheryevsky (25, Arkhangelsk, DSD), R Mainio Lehtomäki (26, Turinsk, SEU).
Women's Full Squad - Yelena Produnova (26, Kungur, PMA), Serafina Chepukova (29, Pyshma, SEU), Maxima Kayukova (25, Murmansk, SAP), Olga Filishchkina (27, Käkshär, VTK), Magdalena Yoshkarolina (31, Yoshkar-Ola, MAR), Stasya Gaznayeva (25, Viche Alan, VTK), Zinoviya Nasarulina (27, Yelchuk, CHU), Tanya Kalinina (29, Shemurlya, CHU, team captain), Raya Pudovkina (30, Sernur, MAR), Aila Nykänen (28, Käkisalmi, KAR), Jamie Lohrenz (26, Syktyvkar), Kirsikka Tapaninen (30, Yekaterinburg, GYK), Janna Haapasalo (28, Kirov), Sofia Prokshina (25, Yekaterinburg, GYK), Linn Rasmussen (27, Zapolyarny, SAP), R Lahja Jokinen (24, Vologda), R Anett Koleszár (28, Surgut).
Men's Sevens - Svyatoslav Avgustinov (33, Cheboksary, CHU, team captain), Anton Stiyachkov (30, Syktyvkar), Jason Wedel (24, Pazhga, KML), Bogdan Bakunin (26, Yoshkar-Alan, VTK), Perttu Kärppinen (25, Kirov), Risto Makkonen (27, Petroskoi, KAR), Lukac Fülöp (28, Yekaterinburg, GYK), R Terjo Hattula (22, Perm')
Women's Sevens - Mira Plekhanova (26, Vologda), Alisa Glebova (29, Yoshkar-Ola, MAR), Angela Litvinova (25, Yekaterinburg, GYK), Maija Hartonen (30, Konosha, VIE), Olivia Mäkelä (28, Alapayevsk, SEU), Jozefa Sarus (25, Surgut), Mária Csillag (31, Koryazhma, VIE, team captain), R Tia Chernyayeva (27, Pervouralsk, SEU)
SAILING (15 Uralican athletes)
Medals in 2016: 0
Uralica has managed to qualify a sailor or sailors for every type of boat, but that's about as good as they're expected to do. The best NCIS bet for a medal is easily Transcaucasia.
Men's RS-X - Jyrgi Bohinen (34, Käddluhtt, SAP)
Women's RS-X - Angela Mannila (33, Vienankemi, KAR)
Men's Laser - Tikhon Polivanov (42, Onega, VIE)
Women's Laser Radial - Rebekka Väärä (32, Arkhangel'sk, DSD)
Men's 470 - Valentin Artamov (52, Koivisto, KAR) and Ruslan Artamov (25, Koivisto, KAR)
Women's 470 - Roksana Artamova (29, Koivisto, KAR) and Terhi Kivelä (28, Makslahti, KAR)
Men's 49er - Anatoliy Tikhonov (46, Viipuri, KAR) and Elmer Kamu (42, Lahdenpohju, KAR).
Women's 49erFX - Margit Sillasoo (39, Severodvinsk, DSD) and Anna Lutrova (41, Arkhangel'sk, DSD)
Men's Finn - Sava Mazhorin (38, Shuomua, KAR).
Mixed Nacra17 - Marko and Ilta Keränen (45 and 43, Viipuri, KAR)
SHOOTING (24 Uralican athletes)
Medals in 2016: 2 (silver in women's 10m rifle, bronze in men's 10m rifle)
Because of the cybernetic enhancements given to Mindphasers, members of the Mindphaser Division are not allowed to participate in the Olympics - not that they care much about sport anyway! But Uralicans know how to shoot, and are medal threats across the board - even the smallest estimates have Uralica leaving with at least four medals in the fifteen events! The Olympic veterans are Cape Town rifle bronze medallist Vladimir Maslennikov and his counterpart amongst the women, Daria Vdovina, who won silver. With them, though, are a solid group of youth shooters who actually have the competition more worried than the vets! (Maslennikov isn't exactly old, either!)
Rifle
Men's 10m Air Rifle - Vladimir Maslennikov (25, Nizhnyaya Tura, SEU), Iosif Kavelin (20, Vorkuta, KML)
Women's 10m Air Rifle - Daria Vdovina (31, Izhevsk), Masha Koryazhmina (19, Koryazhma, VIE)
Mixed 10m Air Rifle - Maslennikov, Kavelin, Vdovina, and Koryazhmina
Men's 50m Rifle, Three Positions - Dmitry Yuvalov (23, Khalmer-Yu, KML), Risto Marttila (20, Suojärvi, KAR)
Women's 50m Rifle, Three Positions - Ayle Yavrova (21, Umba, SAP), Fabiana Pankrateva (20, Tavda, SEU)
Pistol
Men's 10m Air Pistol - Walter Fen (26, Surgut), Daniil Renatov (20, Khanto, YAM)
Women's 10m Air Pistol - Maire Laukkanen (22, Mujehdjärvi, KAR), Shalina Esau-Rantamäki (25, Uusisointula, GYK)
Mixed Team 10m Air Pistol - Fen, Renatov, Laukkanen, Esau-Rantamäki
Men's 25m Pistol - Gord Rantamäki (27, Uusisointula, GYK), Travis Laukkonen (18, Usovuori, KML).
Women's 25m Pistol - Renata Sanguskaya (21, Sindor, KML), Klarina Yeremeyeva (20, Kainu, PMA).
Shotgun
Men's Skeet Shooting - Kaido Käärik (20, Kirov), Yeremey Nikolayevsky (22, Leshukonskoye, VIE).
Women's Skeet Shooting - Lizanka Mikhaylova (22, Dobryanka, PMA), Sevira Kovlyova (20, Khalmer-Sede, YAM).
Men's Trap Shooting - Aatu Mäkelä (19, Alakurtti, SAP), Stepan Golovtsov (21, Long-Yugan, YAM).
Women's Trap Shooting - Oksana Dityatyeva (21, Pelym, SEU), Vilma Räikkönen (20, Koutero, SAP).
Mixed Team Trap Shooting - Mäkelä, Golovtsov, Dityayeva, and Räikkönen.
SKATEBOARDING (9 Uralican athletes)
Medals in 2016: 0
Racing
Uralica is more likely to medal in the races, especially in street luge, where Markku Laasala is a defending world champion and Dasha Rybarikova won silver at the last X-Games. They'll of course be in tough, but they have a chance here.
Men's Downhill - Ruslan Belanov (25, Yekaterinburg, GYK).
Women's Downhill - Roza Kusevitskaya (23, Kirov), Anna Mauranen (25, Berezniki, SBZ).
Men's Slalom - Miikka Koski (20, Cherepovets).
Women's Slalom - Mauranen.
Men's Street Luge - Markku Laasala (24, Sortavala, KAR)
Women's Street Luge - Dasha Rybarikova (20, Kirov)
Freestyle
While Uralica is improving in freestyle skateboarding, according to the USBF, there's "no way" that Uralica will medal in any of these, still all dominated by North America, Brazil, and Oceania. There are only three athletes competing between the six events.
Men's Vert - Valo Järvilehto (27, Petroskoi, KAR), Fadey Glebov (23, Perm').
Women's Vert - Tonya Fedotova (26, Syktyvkar).
Men's Street - Glebov.
Women's Street - Fedotova.
Men's Park - Järvilehto.
Women's Park - Fedotova.
Men's Freestyle Combined - Glebov, Järvilehto.
Women's Freestyle Combined - Fedotova.
SPORT CLIMBING (4 Uralican athletes)
New event in 2020
Uralica has entered a few climbers, but there's very little chance of them medalling with Himalayan-Pamiri nations expected to sweep the medals. The NCIS' best bets are from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Dagestan, Nokhchynya, and Transcaucasia.
Men's Bouldering (Individual) - Sergey Yuvalov (36, Salyakharad, YAM)
Women's Bouldering (Individual) - Viktoria Usina (28, Vorkuta, KML)
Men's Lead Climbing (Team) - no athletes qualified
Women's Lead Climbing (Team) - no athletes qualified
Men's Speed Climbing (Individual) - Gavriil Patsayev (33, Kachkanar, SEU)
Women's Speed Climbing (Individual) - Lilja Kantee (28, Hiipinä, SAP)
SQUASH (6 Uralican athletes)
Medals in 2016: 0
Uralica is sending six squash players, with one each of the men's and women's doubles teams joining together for the mixed doubles team. They aren't expected to medal, but they are pretty solid nonetheless. Men's singles player Devin Kohl, ranked fourteenth, is considered one of the more entertaining players in world squash!
Men's Singles - Devin Kohl (25, Noshul, KML).
Women's Singles - Zlata Lebedeva (31, Verkhnyaya Pyshma, GYK).
Men's Doubles - Kirill Trushin (26, Yakshur-Bödya, UDM) and Vladimir Adamov (29, Kirovo-Chepetsk, VTK).
Women's Doubles - Amira Sayetova (25, Mozhga, UDM) and Minttu Nimonen (23, Saransk, MRD).
Mixed Doubles - Adamov and Nimonen.
SURFING
New event in 2020
A new Olympic sport, Uralica wasn't expected to send a team, since next to nobody surfs in Uralica! It's primarily a Pacific Rim thing, with NCIS' best bets for a medal in surfing - which are next-to-nonexistent, by the way - being Siberia and Crimea.
TABLE TENNIS (6 Uralican athletes)
Medals in 2016: 0
China have monopolised gold in this sport for the last two decades. It is not expected for anyone else to win, but instead, everyone else will be scrambling for silver. Uralica will be fortunate if they even make the last eight, even if they are decent.
Men's Singles - Igor Podgornyy (23, Murmansk, SAP).
Women's Singles - Tähti Lajunen (25, Kirov).
Men's Team - Stanislav Tsirempilov (27, Ukhta, USG) and Lauri Iisop (22, Cherepovets).
Women's Team - Yelena Yegorova (25, Lyambir', MRD) and Milana Chuvashiyeva (22, Ulator, CHU)
Mixed Doubles - Tsirempilov and Chuvashiyeva.
TAEKWONDO (15 Uralican athletes)
(Follows World Taekwondo's Weight Class system; class names stay same although weight differs between men and women.)
Medals in 2016: 4 (gold in men's +80 kg, silver in women's 49kg and men's 80kg, bronze in women's +67kg)
Post-Dispersion Uralica's first-ever gold medal came in taekwondo as this 6'7", 300+ pound whirlwind named Jarkko Salomäki dazzled the spectators with his surprising speed and technique considering his size. Of course, his power resulted in him knocking three opponents out, all with perfectly legal techniques. He's not the only Uralican that is a contender for a medal, though. Taekwondo has been expanded tremendously, going from four weight classes with sixteen competitors each to eight weight classes with thirty-two each, and introducing a bronze medal match. Uralica, along with South Korea, Azerbaijan, and Great Britain, is one of four nations that qualified an athlete for every weight class.
Men's Finweight - Mikhail Astapkov (18, Artyomovsky, GYK)
Women's Finweight - Kesä Luoma (25, Kirov)
Men's Flyweight - Konstantin Demidenko (31, Aramil-Svetly, GYK)
Women's Flyweight - Martina Sanshina (28, Perm')
Men's Bantamweight - Radoslav Kamin (30, Cherdyn, PMA)
Women's Bantamweight - Olichka Leshcheva (20, Montsa, SAP)
Men's Featherweight - Yakov Shcherbin (29, Perm')
Women's Featherweight - Tina Uvarova (24, Balezino, UDM)
Men's Lightweight - Erke Järve (28, Slobodskoy, VTK)
Women's Lightweight - Tatyana Volchova (27, Chusovoi, PMA)
Men's Welterweight - Reijo Keskitalo (30, Petroskoi, KAR)
Women's Welterweight - Irja Korpi (21, Kolosjoki, SAP)
Men's Middleweight - Bátor Bednarik (26, Yekaterinburg, GYK)
Women's Middleweight - Susanna Tyurina (25, Verkhnyaya Sinyachikha, SEU)
Men's Heavyweight - Jarkko Salomäki.
Women's Heavyweight - Varvara Mokasheva (31, Tengzhele, MRD)
TENNIS (6 Uralican athletes)
Medals in 2016: 0
With Maria Sharapova declining to go to the Olympics, Uralica instead relies on its youth movement, including 19-year-old Oksana Ligacheva from Izhevsk and 22-year-old Márton Gyulái from Surgut. Not expected to medal, but tennis tends to be one of the more unpredictable sports with regards to medals, so who knows? Our kids have already won their premier ATP titles, so there's no ruling them out!
Men's Singles - Márton Gyulái (22, Surgut).
Women's Singles - Oksana Ligacheva (19, Izhevsk), Lyudmilla Samsonova (21, Olenegorsk, SAP)
Men's Doubles - Gyulái and Iiro Salonen (22, Vorkuta, KML).
Women's Doubles - Valeriya Savinykh (29, Yekaterinburg, GYK) and Karoliina Riihijärvi (18, Vologda)
Mixed Doubles - Salonen and Savinykh.
TRIATHLON
Medals in 2016: 0
Cycling, swimming, running. Even if Uralica is only a threat in the first of the three in isolation, when combined, there are a couple of possible threats for either gender; the mixed relay team isn't expected to medal.
Men's - Taisto Sinisalo (25, Novy Burnabiy, GYK), Viktor Nikolayevsky (33, Karpinsk, SEU), Naum Ivakin (28, Votka, UDM)
Women's - Aleksandra Kafelnikova (28, Vologda), Svetlana Vasilevskaya (25, Sysert, SEU), Jasmin Tammela (22, Raivola, KAR)
Mixed Relay - Sinisalo, Ivakin, Kafelnikova, and Vasilevskaya.
ULTIMATE FRISBEE (12 teams per gender, 22 Uralican athletes)
New event in 2020
A demo sport from 2016 that has slowly been gaining popularity outside of North America, Uralica is regarded as the best team in the NCIS at Ultimate, a sport that Uralica and Russia are trying to spread throughout the area. There are twelve participating nations in each gender (of which 10 are participating in both men's and women's) and of those, it is close between all of them as to who might win the first-ever gold medal, even if Cascadia won the trial in 2016. Uralica is participating in both men's and women's, so be sure to tune in for this fun and fast-paced sport! All teams have seven starters and four subs, but as to whom will end up as what on Uralica's teams, that hasn't really been decided! The only confirmed starters are the two team captains, who are 2016 returns.
Men's - Valery Poryzinsky (21, Yekaterinburg, GYK), Arkhip Sapozhinsky (28, Gornyy Shchit, GYK), Aleksandr Zerbaliyev (26, Karakulino, UDM), Samuil Izhevsky (25, Izhevsk), Atte Pulkkinen (32, Viipuri, KAR, team captain), Hosea Froese (19, Kirov), Altti Turttonen (23, Kirov), Heino Tiihonen (25, Uusisointula, GYK), Oros Nyilás (22, Nizhny Tagil), Keresztes Hájos (27, Kogalym, YGR), Sylvester Kangas (25, Karhumägi, KAR).
Women's - Andreya Ostrogorskaya (28, Olenegorsk, SAP), Sofia Beregovaya (25, Yekaterinburg, GYK), Alyona Lyakhova (27, Perm'), Mirana Zubova (21, Lashma, MRD), Sveta Yevdokimova (23, Sarapul, UDM), Veronika Zhidkova (29, Perm'), Yana Drevnerusskaya (33, Revda, SEU, team captain), Janika Hättölä (20, Raduzhnyy, YGR), Senja Haukka (22, Uusisointula, GYK), Evelina Király (25, Sosnogorsk, USG), Klára Guba (28, Zapadnyy Yekaterinburg, GYK).
VOLLEYBALL (16 teams per gender)(24 Uralican athletes)
Medals in 2016: 2 (silver in men's, bronze in women's)
Indoor
New kid on the block Uralica gave some of the "volleyball giants" (such as Brazil, Cuba, Cascadia, China, and Japan) a colossal scare in Cape Town as they went on to win silver in men's volleyball (with exactly the same team they have this year!) and bronze in women's (with three players who aren't returning from 2016, of which one has retired), with the team that beat them winning gold in both genders. Although Jarkko Salomäki is an adept volleyball player, he "already has too much on his plate" with MMA, taekwondo, mountain biking, and kickboxing, so he's not going to be participating in this event. 12 players per team.
Men's - Igor Kobzar (28, Surgut), Artyom Volvich (30, Nizhnevartovsk, YGR), Artyom Yermakov (38, Nizhnevartovsk, YGR, team captain), Roman Ortov (26, Darovskoy, VTK), Artur Patsayev (23, Yekaterinburg, GYK), Stefan Temnikov (27, Kanash, CHU), Vladimir Kiryakov (25, Yekaterinburg, GYK), Osmo Hynninen (27, Petroskoi, KAR), Sulo Väärälä (24, Kirov), Jalmara Vuorinen (28, Kirov), Edvards Jumārs (25, Cherepovets), Ádam Nemesnyik (24, Megion, YGR).
Women's - Yekaterina Pankova (30, Yekaterinburg, GYK), Ariadna Beryozovskaya (25, Berezniki, SBZ), Borislava Glebova (27, Sosnogorsk, USG), Ira Artamova (29, Yekaterinburg, GYK), Dora Pantyukhova (25, Omutninsk, VTK), Shoshanna Samoylova (23, Votka, UDM), Nadezhda Trubacheva (26, Kizner, UDM), Mia Democheva (22, Punaturjala, SEU), Iris Mäkinen (20, Cherepovets), Annaliisa Rahnasto (24, Punaturjala, SEU), Joan Hagen (25, Syktyvkar), Lena Plett (21, Luza, VTK).
Beach
Not surprisingly, Uralica is not a beach volleyball threat, because Uralica scarcely has any proper beaches! No surprises that they didn't qualify, either. The NCIS' best bets for a medal are the Caspian Sea and Black Sea nations, with probably the most likely of these being Transcaucasia.
WEIGHTLIFTING (14 Uralican athletes)
(Follows Olympic classes rather than IWF classes)
Medals in 2020: 3 (gold in women's 55kg, bronze in women's 87kg and +87kg)
Uralica does have a shot at several medals in weightlifting, especially women's weightlifting, where the worst finish was fifth and Karola Szilágyi brought home the gold. The majority of Uralican weightlifters are either Russian or Russo-Uralic.
Men's
61 kg - Karl Dyck (33, Pazhga, KML)
67 kg - Aleksandr Turov (34, Yekaterinburg, GYK)
73 kg - Padorin Rozhestvensky (30, Yoshkar-Ola, MAR)
81 kg - Ilppo Kankkunen (37, Kirov)
96 kg - Ovdey Gavrilov (35, Syumsi, UDM)
109 kg - Chayan Solaymanov (33, Shemursha, CHU)
+109 kg - Valentin Ulyanov (40, Arkhangel'sk, DSD)
Women's
49 kg - Masha Fadeyeva (32, Lysva, PMA)
55 kg - Karola Szilágyi (35, Yugrakar, YGR)
59 kg - Janna Selänne-Gavrilova (34, Syumsi, UDM)
64 kg - Tina Shuyskaya (32, Izhevsk)
76 kg - Lyuda Klyugina (36, Chusovoi, PMA)
87 kg - Natasha Vychegdina (33, Zheshart, KML)
+87 kg - Laysan Rakhmanova (34, Ägerce, UDM)
WRESTLING (18 Uralican athletes)
Medals in 2016: 5 (silver in men's freestyle 125kg, bronze in men's freestyle 97kg, women's freestyle 53kg and 68kg, and men's Greco-Roman 130kg)
Uralican wrestlers brought home five medals - four of them bronze - from wrestling in Cape Town 2016. The number could increase or decrease slightly.
Freestyle
Men's 57 kg - Valery Koulikovsky (19, Surgut)
Men's 65 kg - Stanislav Faustin (28, Yekaterinburg, GYK)
Men's 74 kg - Jyri Sorsa (31, Koslan, KML)
Men's 86 kg - Valery Semagov (25, Murmansk, SAP)
Men's 97 kg - Káplony Vámos (32, Juganvar, YGR)
Men's 125 kg - Luka Batukhtin (32, Perm')
Women's 50 kg - Rayna Sokolova (30, Belorechensk, VTK)
Women's 53 kg - Hedvig Pokorni (31, Pyshma, SEU)
Women's 57 kg - Valya Rosikhina (29, Gubakha, PMA)
Women's 62 kg - Vikentiya Anatolyeva (27, Kushva, SEU)
Women's 68 kg - Hemmo Ruoho (30, Petroskoi, KAR)
Women's 76 kg - Marfa Gogunova (28, Nizhnevartovsk, YGR)
Greco-Roman
Men's 60 kg - Leonti Prinkhassov (30, Emva, KML)
Men's 67 kg - Soini Nousiainen (29, Severomorsk, SAP)
Men's 77 kg - Nikita Sotnikov (27, Cherepovets)
Men's 87 kg - Berény Kovács (31, Nyagan, YGR)
Men's 97 kg - Taras Spaseniyev (35, Aramil, GYK)
Men's 130 kg - Artur Saveliyev (33, Perm')
WUSHU (16 Uralican athletes)
(Follows Judo weight classes for Sanda events)
Not held in 2016
As with karate, Uralicans do fairly well in the actual fighting (sanda) but not nearly as well in the form demonstrations (taolu). Uralica qualified for all but one sanda event, but only qualified for three taolu events.
Sanda
Men's
60 kg - no athletes qualified
66 kg - Stefan Sosunov (26, Perm')
73 kg - Kaapo Salmi (28, Arkhangel'sk, DSD)
81 kg - Boris Antyukhin (27, Kotlas, VIE)
90 kg - Andrian Zuybimov (24, Vologda)
100 kg - Dénes Fekete (28, Surgut)
+100 kg - Oleg Nagalitsev (27, Surgut)
Women's
48 kg - Jázmin Sándor (28, Syktyvkar)
52 kg - Magdalena Chernitskaya (22, Cheboksary, CHU)
57 kg - Anna Vladigerova (27, Izhevsk)
63 kg - Ritva Ikola (25, Murmansk, SAP)
70 kg - Emma Ahoniemi (26, Viipuri, KAR)
78 kg - Lana Ponyatovskaya (24, Novy Urengoy, YAM)
+78 kg - Szabina Pálffy (28, Surgut)
Taolu
Men's Individual Combined (choice of five of the thirteen allowed categories) - no athletes qualified
Women's Individual Combined (choice of five of the thirteen allowed categories) - no athletes qualified
Men's Individual Barehanded (choice of one of Changquan, Nanjuan, Taijiquan, and Xingyiquan) - Oli-Pekka Hannila (changquan, 26, Malymash, VTK)
Women's Individual Barehanded (choice of one of Changquan, Nanjuan, Taijiquan, and Baguazhang) - Darya Kutuzova (changquan, 30, Perm')
Men's Individual Short Weapon(s) (choice of one of Daoshu, Jianshu, Nandao, Taijijuan, and Shuangdao) - no athletes qualified
Women's Individual Short Weapon(s) (choice of one of Daoshu, Jianshu, Nandao, Taijijuan, and Shuangjian) - no athletes qualified
Men's Individual Long Weapon (choice of one of Gunshu, Qiangshu, and Nangun) - Varsány Pecely (gunshu, 24, Artyomovsky, GYK)
Women's Individual Long Weapon (choice of one of Gunshu, Qiangshu, and Nangun) - no athletes qualified
FIRST ROUND OF IIHF WORLDS OVER
Time for Round Robin #2.
The first round of the IIHF World Ice Hockey Championships proper ended today, with Transcaucasia, Slovakia, Germany, and Slovenia off to the relgation round, where two teams will drop. The five-game second-round, which goes five consecutive days without a break, starts tomorrow.
The second round takes the 1st, 3rd, and 5th-place teams of one group and intertwines them with the other group's 2nd, 4th, and 6th. Here's how that panned out:
Group C (Stockholm/Göteborg) - Canada, Uralica, Finland, New USA, Siberia, Dakota
Uralica didn't lose to Nordland by much, so this group is going to really be tough. Anticipating that only one of the two American teams will go to the quarters, and there's a slim chance that neither will. Siberia really disappointed in the opening round, and if they play like that this round there's no way they make the quarters.
Group D (Malmö/Copenhagen) - Nordland, Russia, Ural-Altai, Czechia, Baltika, Switzerland
All it took was one bad bounce for Switzerland to get one over on plucky Slovenia. It isn't expected that they'll go to the quarters. Baltika actually did surprisingly well all things considered, and since IMO the Czechs are playing at a lower calibre than the Americans were, I would not be surprised to see Baltika yank the quarterfinal spot from them. Ural-Altai was beastly in the opening round. Unless they tank it something fierce, I can't see them not being in the QFs.
Relegation Group (Oslo/Växjö) - Germany, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Transcaucasia.
It would be almost unthinkable for Slovakia to drop, and Transcaucasia is out of its league except for Nikita Kucherov. That leaves underperforming Germany and defensively-stingy Slovenia to fight it out for the other drop spot. On paper.
The IIHF is discussing the possibility of allowing players from the Stanley Cup Final to play the remainder of the worlds after its completion, with Game 5 going tonight in Vancouver with the Canucks up 3-1. This would give a boost to a few teams: Canada would have adept two-way centre Bo Horvat and defencemen Chris Tanev and Dean Chapman available from Vancouver, and goalie Carey Price, defenceman Shea Weber, and forwards Brendan Gallagher, Max Domi, and Lorne Christopher from Montreal, Dakota would get Brock Boeser from Vancouver, Finland would get Artturi Lehkonen from Montreal and goalie Raimo Vasama from Vancouver, the New US would get JT Miller from Vancouver, and Nordland would get hotshot Elias Pettersson and possibly defenceman Alex Edler from Vancouver, and defenceman Erik Karlsson from Montreal. Uralica would get Matvey Kolpakov and Kurtis Schaeffer from the Canucks. With the Worlds tournament running until 5 June, this seems likely.
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(06-11-2022, 10:13 PM)Kyng Wrote: I love how [Abacab] has a track with a section named "Lurker", when the album title itself looks like Lurker's attempt to spell "Abacus" or something .
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