#Trnava2018

Bey Likes Odds to Repeat as World Champion

Sunday, September 16, 2018 - 21:32 By Eric Olanowski

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TRNAVA, Slovakia (September 16) – For reigning world champion Kamal BEY (USA) to replicate his 2017 run to Junior World gold, he’ll have to navigate a bracket that returns every medalist from the 74kg Tampere World Championships. 

Bey, along with runner-up Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) and bronze medalist Nasir HASANOV (AZE) drew into the bottom half of the bracket, while Sajan SAJAN (IND), the other bronze medalist, drew into the top half of the bracket. 

The way the draw played out, a potential Tampere World finals rematch between Bey and Makhmudov could happen as early as Monday night (18:00 local time). 


Kamal BEY (USA) and Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) after the 2017 74kg gold-medal bout at the Tampere World Championships. (Photo by Marion Stein) 

When Bey was asked about the potential semifinal challenge of facing Makhmudov again, he said “It’s not that much of a challenge. People always want to challenge me, and I accept that challenge. He’s only bumping up for this tournament; then he’s going back down to 72kg for the Senior World Championships. …I’m in this for the long haul, and he’s just in this for one match.” 

He added, “This year, it’ll be about keeping the same pace and mentality, while not giving up as many points.” 

Whether it’s Makhudov, Hasanov, Sajan or the field, Bey feels that the improvements he's made over the last year have put himself in position to beat anyone on his way to repeating as Junior World champion. 

“Being a World champion is never given. Whoever stands in your way, you have to beat them regardless. It just about me going out there and taking care of my business.” 

Bey, along with the other returning medalists kick off the opening round of the 2018 Junior World Championships on Monday morning at 10:30 AM (local time). 

Development

Saudi Wrestling Federation growing wrestling through education

Monday, October 14, 2024 - 11:40 By United World Wrestling Press

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (12 October) – The Saudi Wrestling Federation has been organizing coaching and referee courses to grow and develop wrestling within their country over the past few years. Their hard work led to their first-ever silver medal at the U20 Asian Championships. Manthr Jndu achieved this at 63kg in Greco-Roman.

In late April, they organized two more courses (Level 1 Coaching Course and Introduction to Refereeing Course) for new coaches and referees. The Saudi Wrestling Federation held these courses in partnership with United World Wrestling.  

Mr. Hassan MADANY (EGY) and Mr. Juan Luis MAREN (CUB) conducted the Level 1 Coaching Course, and Mr. Sherif HALAWA (EGY) and Mr. Mohsen YAMANI (KSA—Chief of Saudi Referees) led the Introduction to Refereeing course. The courses were held from 28 April to 2 May and included 91 participants (22 women) from 8 nationalities, including participants from EGY, MAR, SYR, SUD, NGR, JOR, KGZ, and KSA residing in Saudi Arabia.

The coaching course had 71 participants, including 17 women coaches. The Level 1 Course is the Introduction to Coaching and Safety. During the course, the participants participated in theoretical and practical sessions. Some of the topics covered were discovery games, introducing a new technique, coaching skills, giving feedback, risk management, age, and developmental stage characteristics.  The coaches actively practiced and developed their skills during the course through practical evaluations. Overall, the coaches gained important knowledge and skills to help them improve in their role as coaches.  

The Introduction to Refereeing Course had 20 participants, including 5 women referees. The participants learned the foundations of what it takes to be a great referee.  The areas covered during the course included the safety of the athletes, evaluation of holds, referee mechanics, positioning, and controlling the bout.  The participants were active during the course and could practice their skills through practical evaluations. 

During the courses, there were sessions involving both referees and coaches, led by Mr. Halawa. This allowed both groups to work together and better learn wrestling rules.