African C'Ships

African Cadet and Juniors Conclude In Nigeria

Saturday, February 10, 2018 - 13:20 By Eric Olanowski

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PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria (February 9) - The African cadet and junior championships concluded today in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Nearly 250 age-level wrestlers from 14 nations competed in this year’s African Championships.

Cadet Women’s Wrestling
Mercy Bolafunoluwa ADEKUOROYE (NIG), who is the niece of reigning world silver medalist and United World Wrestling’s History Maker of 2017, Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR) took home the 53kg gold medal after she defeated Souad Malek BOUKSIR (ALG), 10-0.

Nigeria finished the day with two additional gold medals, bringing their total to three gold medals. Morocco, Egypt, and Tunisia each had a solo gold medalist. The four remaining weight categories did not have entrants.  

Cadet Freestyle
After Ebizimor Daukeyai Kelvin SARIKI’s (NGR) 8-2 victory over Decan Lukeem JANTJIES (RSA) in the 45kg finals, South Africa took over the gold medal parade by winning back-to-back titles at 48kg and 51kg.

Algeria’s picked up the first of its two gold medals at 55kg when Oussama LARIBI (ALG) completed the 14-4 technical superiority victory over Adham Mohamed Abdelmonem Ali SAKR (EGY).  

At 60kg, Stephen Tope AKINTEWE (NGR) narrowly edged Alex Foday KALLON (SLE), 2-0, giving Nigeria their second gold medal of the cadet freestyle championships.

Fathi Tarek Fathi Attia ISMAIL (EGY) went unscored upon on his way to defeating Kenechukwu Prince NNAEMEKA (NGR), 6-0 in the 65kg gold medal bout.

At 71kg, Christian GUIDILIM (CMR) went 4-0 on the day and gave Cameroon their first medal of the 2018 African Championships.


Chadi EL KHALIL (EGY) and Ahmed Mahmoud Elsayed Mohamed KHALIL closed out the tournament for Egypt, winning two of the three remaining gold but not before Algeria’s Fateh BENFERDJALLAH (ALG) picked up the 80kg title.

Cadet Greco-Roman
Abdalla Mohamed SHAABAN (EGY) started out the Greco-Roman portion of the tournament by squeaking out at 3-2 victory over Omrane CHERRAD (ALG) at 48kg.

Peter UKORO (NGR) captured the host countries lone cadet Greco-Roman gold medal by shutting out Omar Adel Elsayed Gaafar ABDELAZIZ (EGY), 4-0 at 55kg.

Tunisia will head home with three champions, including back-to-back gold medalists at 65kg and 71kg with Lamjed MAAFI (TUN) and Mohamed Aziz LANDOLSI (TUN). Mehdi JOUINI (TUN) also took gold at 51kg .

Algeria’s trio of Mohamed Yacine DRIDI (ALG), Ahmed Abdelhakim MERIKHI (ALG), and Fadi ROUABAH (ALG) also captured three gold medals for their nation. Those gold medals came at 51kg, 60kg, and 80kg.

The competition did have entrants at 110kgs, so the final gold medal went to Egypt’s Shady WAHEEB (EGY) as he defeated Mundell BROWN (RSA) by technical superiority victory, 14-4.

Junior Freestyle
The first two matches of junior freestyle side of the tournament started with criteria wins. Beginning with 57kg, Gamal MOHAMED (EGY) was able to hold off Salah Eddine KATEB (ALG), 5-5 and pick up the gold medal. One gold medal bout later, Frederik NORTJE (RSA) stood his ground and beat Kouceila SADOUKI (ALG), 4-4 to seal up the 61kg gold medal.

Algeria would pick up their second gold medal in freestyle as Fares LAKEL (ALG) handed Kaireddine BEN TELILI (TUN) a 9-6 loss in the 65kg finals.

Nwafor EMEKA (NGR) gave Nigeria their first junior freestyle gold medal as he picked up the commanding 10-0 technical superiority victory over Mohamed Aziz BEN JAAFAR (TUN) at 70kgs.

At 74kg, Samy MOUSTAFA (EGY) added to Egypt’s gold medal count with a 10-0 victory over Matthew Trevor BARTLETT (RSA).

Oussama ABDELLAOUI (ALG) made it a trio of gold medals for Algeria as he completed the 5-0 shutout over Ebiboloukemi Gilbert CLARKSON (NGR) at 79kg.

After finishing the day with two wins, Tarikebena CAPTAN (NGR) and Omar Hussein Mohamed Hassanin ZAYED (EGY) walked away with the 86kg and 92kg gold medals.

At 97kg and 125kg, Mohammed FARDJ (ALG) and Radiance Best AKARI (NGR) finished the day with 1-0 records and took home African Championship crowns.

Junior Greco-Roman
Algeria kicked the off Greco-Roman wrestling with back-to-back champions at 55kg and 60kg. Mourtada NAANAA (ALG) held off Abderrazak ROUINBI (MAR), 1-1 to win the 55kg title. Abdeldjebar DJEBBARI (ALG) won both of his matches and walked away with the 60kg crown.

Egypt followed suit, taking home the next two gold medals. Hassan MOHAMED (EGY) shutout Radhwen TARHOUNI (TUN), 9-0 in the 63kg finals, and in the 67kg finals, Mohamed ELSAYED (EGY) picked up a technical superiority victory over Mustapha AFIRAOU (MAR), 12-1.

The final six gold medals were determined via round-robin. Egypt captured four of the last six weight classes with three gold medals. Nigeria and Tunisia grabbed the final two gold medals.


Junior Women’s Wrestling
50kg Sarra HAMDI (TUN) started the gold medal festivities for Tunisia by handling Nada Medani Ashour Abdalla MOHAMED (EGY), 16-5 in the 50kg finals. Tunisia went on to win gold medals at four additional weights, bringing their championship hardware to five gold medals.

Rosine NSTA ASSOUGA (CMR) gave Tunisia a rare finals loss as she edged out Siwar BOUSETTA (TUN), 4-2 to capture the 53kg African championship.

At 62kg Lina KHELLAL (ALG) went 3-0 on the day was awarded the gold medal.

With no participants at 76kg, the tournament concluded with Ebi BIOGOS (NGR) winning the title at 68kg and Youin AMY (CIV) taking home the gold medal at 72kg.

#development

With Two Courses in 10 Days, India Dedicated to Developing Coaching Pool

Wednesday, April 15, 2026 - 09:46 By United World Wrestling Press

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NEW DELHI, India (April 7) -- The Wrestling Federation of India organized two courses in India last month. The first course was a Level 3 -- Introduction to Periodization and Coaching Philosophy and was held from March 21 to 25.

A second course was completed immediately after the first. This was a Level 2 -- Introduction to Practice Planning and was conducted from March 25 to 30. The courses were led by UWW Certified Educators Ahmed KHEDHRI (TUN).

“The participants engagement, along with the logistical and organizational support from the Indian Wrestling Federation, greatly contributed to the success of the courses," Khedhri said.

The Level 3 course was attended by 20 participants. During the five days, the participants covered a wide range of topics which included performance analysis, fundamentals of periodization, practice plan review and self-reflection.

The course also addressed coaching philosophy, self-awareness, leadership styles, and coach vision. These topics were covered through a variety of lectures, practical exercises, and interactive group discussion.

"The Level-3 coaching course was a great opportunity for learning and development. I appreciated the teaching style, depth of knowledge, and clear communication, all of which were motivating and inspiring," SB PRASAD, Greco-Roman coach, said.

The Level 2 course was attended by 41 participants. During the course, the coaches started with basic skill development and performance analysis basics and transitioned to the technicalities of designing and implementing practice plans.

The coaches learned the importance of designing sessions that are age and stage appropriate for their athletes. These interactive sessions included a mix of small group work and practical sessions.

“The Level-2 course was an incredible and enriching experience. I gained valuable knowledge that will greatly benefit my coaching career," Shilpi SHEORAN, Women's Wrestling Coach, said.  

IND
The 41 participants pose for a photo following the conclusion of the course. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Comments from the participants:

“I found the Level-3 course highly valuable, highlighting the practical approach, detailed explanations, and continuous support throughout the program. These aspects enhanced my understanding and confidence as a coach.” – Vinod KUMAR, Head Coach, Freestyle National Team.

“The Level-2 course as extremely enriching and well-structured, with clear and engaging instruction. Thank you to UWW and WFI for organizing and facilitating this valuable program,” – Abhishek CHANDEL, Coach.