#Trnava2018

Betschart Ready to Rewrite Swiss Record Books

Tuesday, September 18, 2018 - 08:38 By Eric Olanowski

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TRNAVA, Slovakia (September 18) - Ramon BETSCHART (SUI) will take the mat Tuesday night with an opportunity to rewrite the Swiss Greco-Roman wrestling books when he competes for his country’s first junior world gold medal. 

His historic Trnava run comes a year after Betschart left Tampere, Finland with a 15th place finish at the 2017 World Championships. “I don’t regret anything from those championships, and not much has changed in my life over the past year. I attribute this year’s success to the recent rules changes. Particularly the par terre rule changes.” 

Prior to his Monday semifinal win, Switzerland's highest Greco-Roman finish came from Thomas ROETHISBERGER at the 1992 World Championships when he finished in fourth place.

“I didn’t know the history behind my semifinals match,” said Betschart. “Walking to the mat, I wasn’t thinking about making history, only concentrating on my match. I was just focused on the match and nothing else. But if it was me or another Swiss wrestler, I would have been happy.”

After his semifinals win, flanked by his Swiss teammates, Betschart said “This is an amazing feeling. It’s pure happiness. I really have no word for how I feel. I just hope I get the gold medal tomorrow.” 

Waking up Tuesday morning, nothing is going to change for Betchart. “Preparation-wise, I’m not going to change anything. Normal preparation and focusing on my warmup is going to be key.”  

Betschart will take on the 2018 Asian junior champion Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) in the 87kg gold-medal bout. 

 “I know I will wrestle Mohammadhadi Saravi in tomorrow’s finals. But I don’t think much about my opponent. I have my way, the Swiss way, and that’s all I think about.”

If Betschart scores the gold medal on Tuesday night, he’ll join his uncle Hugo DIETSCHE (SUI) in rewriting the Swiss Greco-Roman record books. Dietsche won Switzerland’s first Olympic medal in 36 years when he finished with the bronze medal at the 1984 Los Angles Olympic Games. That 1984 bronze medal still stands as Switzerland’s last Greco-Roman Olympic medal. 

#development

Romania hosts first coaches course of the year

Tuesday, February 14, 2023 - 13:50 By United World Wrestling Press

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IZVORANI, Romania (February 10) – The Romanian Wrestling Federation (FRL), supported by United World Wrestling and the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee, hosted the first coaching course of the year. The course was held in the Olympic Center Sydney 2000 on February 6-9. The course was hosted by Mr. Răzvan Pîrcălabu (UWW Member and President of Romanian Wrestling Federation) and attended by Mr. Mihai Covaliu (President of the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee) and Mr. Eduard Novak (Minister of Sports in Romania).

At the course, more than 150 Romanian coaches were present.  The program included theoretical and practical sessions along with a written examination. During the three days, the coaches had the chance to learn from international Educators and guest speakers that included:

  • Mr. Arsen Julfalakyan (UWW Member and President of Athletes Commission)
  • Mr. Petru Toarcă (UWW Lecturer)
  • Mr. Ferenc Gyarmati (Olympic Referee and UWW Instructor)
  • Mrs. Ramona Ceamuru (Director of National Training Center for Romanian Coaches)
  • Mrs. Alina Gherghisan (Sports Psychologist of Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee)

ROMA birdseye view from the first coaching course of the year. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

During the course, all the participants learned the foundations of being a successful coach. Topics included: role of coaches, coach vision, coach as a key resource of performance, psychological approach for young wrestlers, discipline in sport, proper nutrition-healthy food and importance of the recovery.  The coaches also had practical on-the-mat sessions with Mr. Julfalakyan and Mr. Toarcă.  These sessions focused on different situations in the standing and par terre positions.  Lastly, the coaches participated in a referee course. This course was conducted by UWW Instructor Ferenc Gyarmati.

ROM1All eyes from the coaches course are on world champion Arsen JULFALAKYAN (ARM). (Photo: United World Wrestling)

“I would like to thank the Romanian wrestling federation for the invitation. It was really a very unique experience. Not every time you can have the opportunity to work with more than 150 coaches from different styles and in a country with such a rich wrestling traditions,” said Mr. Julfalakyan.

The Romanian Wrestling Federation aims to improve wrestling activities at all age groups. Providing educational courses is an important chapter in their overall development strategy for the Federation. This course was a big success and a great start to 2023.