Award Season

2017 Comeback Wrestlers of the Year

By Eric Olanowski

After incredible comebacks in 2017, Jordan Burroughs (USA), Vanesa Kaladzinskaya (BLR), and Frank Staebler (GER) have earned the 2017 Comeback Wrestlers of the Year award.

74kg - Jordan Burroughs (USA)
Olympic gold medalist and four-time world champion Jordan Burroughs (USA) was coming off an Olympic Games where his hand was only raised once. Leaving Rio, Burroughs was slotted as the ninth best wrestler at the Olympic Games.

After surviving a scare from Ali SHABANAU (BLR) in round one of the World Championships, Burroughs rallied off two technical superiority victories to reach the 74kg semifinals. Burroughs avenged one of his two Rio losses, defeating Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB), 6-5. In the finals, Khetik TSABOLOV (RUS) led with one minute remaining, but Burroughs tallied back-to-back takedowns to lock up the 9-6 win.

53kg - Vanesa Kaladzinskaya (BLR)
Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (BLR) won the 2012 World Championship at 48kg. Since then, her highest finish at a world championship came in 2014 where she finished in 25th place.

In the world finals, the five-time world team member found herself four points away from giving up a technical superiority victory to 2016 world champion Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN). Kaladzinskaya outscored Mukaida 8-0 to capture her second world title.

71kg - Frank Staebler (GER)
Frank Staebler (GER), the 2015 world champion, went into Rio as one of the favorites to win the 66kg weight class. Staebler’s one win at the Olympic Games was only good enough for a seventh-place finish.

Up a weight, Staebler clearly wrestled with a chip on his shoulder in the 2017 World Championships. He knocked off 2015 world champion and Olympic bronze medalist Rasul CHUNAYEV (AZE) in the second round. Staebler regained his world title by winning four additional matches, including an 8-3 win in the finals over Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ).

UWW's Event Organization Workshop heats up in Athens

By United World Wrestling Press

ATHENS, Greece (July 30) -- United World Wrestling held a new edition of its Event Organization Workshop in Athens, Greece, from July 24-29.

The activity was conducted by the UWW Sports Department and took place on the sidelines of the U17 World Championships, offering participants an immersive experience to learn directly within the context of a major international event.

A total of 25 participants from 16 countries attended the workshop -- with nearly 50 percent of the attendees being women -- representing national federations and upcoming event organizers.

The attendees took part in theoretical sessions and field-based learning covering critical areas such as accreditation, sport presentation, information technology tools, event operations, and venue logistics. They also had the chance to observe the live execution of the Championships, attend the Technical Conference, and tour key competition areas.

The Local Organizing Committee played an important role in supporting the delivery of the workshop, facilitating access to venues, providing logistical coordination, and sharing their experience in hosting a major international event. Their collaboration was key to ensuring a smooth and enriching experience for all participants.

To complement the technical content, the group also enjoyed a cultural visit to the Acropolis, one of the most iconic landmarks in Athens. This excursion helped foster exchange and camaraderie among participants, while providing a connection to the host city’s rich heritage.

UWW
Attendees walk through accreditation, sport presentation, information technology tools, event operations, and venue logistics at the Event Organization Workshop in Athens. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

The workshop was facilitated by members of the UWW team, who shared their expertise and provided hands-on guidance throughout the sessions. The collaborative format encouraged knowledge exchange and open dialogue, creating a dynamic learning environment.

Participants expressed high satisfaction with the content and format of the workshop, noting its relevance and practicality. The mix of classroom instruction, real-event exposure, and networking opportunities made the experience both educational and inspiring.

This edition of the Event Organization Workshop reinforced UWW’s commitment to building local capacities and delivering high-standard wrestling events across the world. Athens 2025 once again proved the value of this initiative and the importance of continuing to invest in professional training for sport event delivery.

Ramil AHMADOV, UWW Senior Competition Manager, and Yuri MAIER, Sports & Development Officer, conducted the workshop. We were honored to have Theodoros HAMAKOS, Vice-President of UWW, award the certificates.