#BeachWrestling

African Beach Wrestling Championships 2024: All you need to know

By Vinay Siwach

DAKAR, Senegal (June 21) -- The second edition of the African Beach Wrestling Championships will be held in Dakar, Senegal. The tournament, to be played on June 22 and 23 at the Arène Nationale de Lutte, will see 103 wrestlers competing in four weight classes each in men's and women's categories.

The first African Championships in Beach Wrestling was held in Hammamet, which also hosted the African Beach Games, last year.

The two-day tournament will streamed live on the United World Wrestling Beach Wrestling Series YouTube channel. All the action can be accessed here. On Saturday, the group bouts in all weight classes will begin at 10:00 hours local time till 13:00 hours. After a two-hour break, the competition will resume with more group-stage bouts at 15:00 hours.

On Sunday, the morning session will see the remaining group-stage bouts in all weight classes in both categories beginning at 10:00 hours. The evening session will begin at 15:00 hours with all the elimination and medal bouts. A closing ceremony is scheduled at 19:30 hours.

For regular updates, log on to uww.org or the UWW App and follow United World Wrestling channels on Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube.

Here are the wrestlers competing in the weight classes in Dakar on Saturday and Sunday.

Siny SEMBENE (SEN)Siny SEMBENE (SEN) will look to defend his 90kg title in Dakar. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

Men's Beach Wrestling

70kg
Chamseddine ABDEMEZIEM (ALG)
Reginaldo da SILVA (ANG)
Yves NISHIMWE (BDI)
Baki ISSIAKO (BEN)
Herve KI (BUR)
Guy LAGO (CIV)
Gibriel CHOW (GAM)
Wotna NDOC (GBS)
Rafael NZE OYANA (GEQ)
Thierno DIALLO (GUI)
Kenneth KOECH (KEN)
Faly RANDRIANANTOANDRO (MAD)
Gilbert EMILIE (MRI)
Djamilou BAKOYE BAJINI (NIG)
Adama THIOR (SEN)
Nkosinathi MAKHANYA (SWZ)
Rodgers MUKYEDA (UGA)
Kangwa DAKA (ZAM)

80kg
Chawki DOULACHE (ALG)
Kieto PACHECO (ANG)
Firmin TOSSE (BEN)
Jeffias KULUBE (BOT)
Koni DIALLO (BUR)
Nelson OBROU (CAF)
Dongui AHAMED ABASSE (CAF)
Michel DOLE BONDELE (CGO)
Samluel FALINA DOGOM (CHA)
Anthony WESLEY (CPV)
Modou JOBE (GAM)
Caetano SA (GBS)
Mathayo MAHABILA (KEN)
Mohammed BOUAZOUNI (MAR)
Jesse VAN BAALEN (RSA)
Mbaye DIOP (SEN)
Ya NDONG (SEN)
Foday KARGBO (SLE)
Ibrahim AHMED (SUD)
Joseph KAKIZIBA (TAN)
Khairiddine BEN TLILI (TUN)

90kg
Ayelodjou TCHEDE (BEN)
Karim BAZONGO (BUR)
Cedric ABOSSOLO (CMR)
Matteo MONTEIRO FURTADO TRESSE (CPV)
Ahmed MAHMOUD (EGY)
Adama SARR (GAM)
Emmanuel OSEI SARFO (GHA)
Mohamed CAMARA (GUI)
Mark ONGUYESI (KEN)
Harrison ONOVWIOMOGBOHWO (NGR)
Siny SEMBENE (SEN)

+90kg
Amine BENDJELLOUL (ALG)
Islam INOUSSA (BEN)
Alain GUERET (CAF)
Borcel BOUKAKA (CGO)
Babacarr MBOGE (GAM)
Issah FUSEINI (GHA)
Dan CHEPTAI (KEN)
Pieter UYS (NAM)
Mouhamed BAYO (SEN)
Alaza SAYIBIA (TOG)

Amy YOUIN (CIV)Amy YOUIN (CIV) is entered at +70kg for the African Beach Wrestling Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

Women's Beach Wrestling

50kg
Cheima CHEBILA (ALG)
Gouleli BATIO (BUR)
Nde YAPI (CIV)
Rose KOMBE (CMR)
Debora TURE (GBS)
Emma WANGILA (KEN)
Nahamie SAMBOU (SEN)

60kg
Lassaleth ANTONIO (ANG)
Julienne UWIMANA (BDI)
Sofiath ADJAI (BEN)
Wendgounda NABI (BUR)
Nogona BAKAYOKO (CIV)
Farah HUSSEIN (EGY)
Rohey CHAM (GAM)
Alberta TETTEH (GHA)
Emily WANYAMA (KEN)
Solo MIORANIRINA (MAD)
Zineb HASSOUNE (MAR)
Vihanshy KANAPETRADU (MRI)
Ester ABRAHAM (NAM)
Hanna IDI ADAM (NIG)
Mama SAMBOU (SEN)
Siphesihle DLAMINI (SWZ)
Harriet AKITE (UGA)

70kg
Kawiyatou ISSIFOU (BEN)
Kelebogile BASUPI (BOT)
Riyanata DIALLO (BUR)
Lec Hej ANDE (CAF)
Clavina ITSAMBO NGALA (CGO)
Aminata IMBALI (GBS)
Freedom MBIYA NGUEMA (GEQ)
Safietou GOUDIABY (SEN)
Vumilia KALINGA (TAN)
Bimamdeou AGNAN (TOG)
Nour JELJELI (TUN)
Abigail MULENGA (ZAM)

+70kg
Salmantou COULIBALY (BUR)
Godah GASSIDA (CHA)
Amy YOUIN (CIV)
Ebi BIOGOS (NGR)
Lillian MBENA (RSA)
Anta SAMBOU (SEN)
Augusta DEIGH (SLE)
Patricia ELNOUR (SUD)

UWW Statement on 2026 World Championships

By United World Wrestling Press

Joint Statement from United World Wrestling, the Bahrain Olympic Committee, and the Bahrain Wrestling Federation

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (May 22) -- United World Wrestling (UWW), in close coordination with the Bahrain Olympic Committee and the Bahrain Wrestling Federation, announces the postponement of the 2026 World Championships originally scheduled to take place from October 24 to November 1 in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

This decision has been made after careful and responsible consideration of the current geopolitical situation in the region, particularly the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the pending conflict involving the Gulf region and its broader impact on regional stability and international travel. While Bahrain remains fully committed to hosting world-class sporting events, all parties believe that the safety, confidence, and overall experience of athletes, officials, delegations, partners, and fans must remain the highest priority.

As organizations dedicated to the growth and integrity of international sport, UWW, the Bahrain Olympic Committee, and the Bahrain Wrestling Federation believe it is important to make this decision with adequate time and transparency, rather than waiting until the final stages of preparation. Acting responsibly now allows sufficient opportunity to evaluate a potential new host nation for 2026, so the competition host can be identified and the event can be prepared in a professional and orderly manner.

Wrestling has always been more than competition. It is a bridge between nations, cultures, and people. At a time when the world faces uncertainty and division, we are reminded that sport remains a universal language of peace, respect, and unity. It is in this spirit that UWW, the Bahrain Olympic Committee, and the Bahrain Wrestling Federation issue this joint statement together.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the global wrestling family -- athletes, national federations, coaches, officials, partners, and supporters around the world -- for their understanding, solidarity, and continued support. United World Wrestling works with the national members in close cooperation, trust, and shared commitment to protecting the interests of the sport and its community worldwide.

Further updates regarding future dates and hosting considerations will be communicated in due course.