#Astana2019

Astana to Host 2019 Senior Wrestling World Championships

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (September 24) – United World Wrestling has announced the city of Astana will host the 2019 Senior Wrestling World Championships September 14-22 at the Daulet Arena.

The Kazakhstan capital city has hosted several United World Wrestling events in recent years, including the 2014 Senior Asian Wrestling Championships, 2016 Asian Olympic Qualifier, and the 2018 Grappling World Championships.

“We were very pleased with the presentation put on by the Organizing Committee from the city of Astana,” said United World Wrestling president Nenad Lalovic.

"With our recent success at the championships last year in Paris, and the upcoming championships in Budapest, I have every confidence that Astana will deliver an excellent event for our athletes, coaches, and fans.”

Competition to host the championships was intense, as the 2019 world championships will serve as the first qualification event for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The top six finishers in each Olympic weight category in Astana will secure an Olympic qualification for their nation, with the remaining qualification spots earned at continental competitions and a “Last Chance Qualifier” during the 2020 competition calendar.

“The Wrestling World Championships are a major event and will help popularize wrestling in Kazakhstan and the region,” said Kazakhstan Wrestling Federation president Sauat Mynbayev.

“We are excited to host the championships in Astana and are confident they will be remembered to you as one of the best sporting events and will receive positive feedback from fans.”

Tickets for the 2019 World Championships are expected to go on sale in January.

#UnitedWorldWrestling

Lee re-elected as President of UWW Pan-American Council

By United World Wrestling Press

MONTERREY, Mexico (May 8) -- Francisco LEE will continue as the President of the UWW Pan-American Council after being re-elected on Wednesday.

The elections, held on the sidelines of the 2025 Pan-American Championships, saw five members being re-elected and two elected as new members.

Re-elected members
Francisco LEE (GUA)
Guillermo DIAZ (MEX)
Fernando RITTNER(ARG)
Fanny ECHEVERRI (COL)
Manuel ESPINOZA (CHI)

Newly elected members
Rich BENDER (USA)
Jose BARRETO (VEN)

After the elections, the council's executive board elected the office bearers with Lee re-elected as the President.

Diaz was given the position of General Secretary of the council while Bender, USA Wrestling Executive Director, was appointed as the Vice-President.