Development

Big step in women’s wrestling leadership with new members in UWW Bureau

By United World Wrestling Press

TIRANA, Albania (November 6) -- At the UWW 2024 Congress that took place in Tirana, Albania on the October 27, a historic milestone was achieved in women wrestling leadership.

There were seven female candidates for the UWW Bureau, the supreme body of wrestling, marking the highest-ever participation by women in the process.

Kuniko Tanioka (JPN), Annette Kure (NOR), Lise Legrand (FRA), Cholpon Sultanbekova (KGZ), Buyana Peljee (MGL), Nadine Pietschmann (SUI) and UWW Vice-President, Natalia Yariguina (RUS) took part in the race for the Bureau role.

This was the first time that Women Lead Sports alumni being elected to NF president positions and the highest registered female candidates for the Bureau in the history. Rodica Yaksi (TUR) was promoted to Vice-President and Ye Zhang (CHN) has two years left in her term.

A report on the progress made for women coaches and referees at the Paris Olympic Games through the various initiatives and programmes established by UWW Technical Assistance and Development Commission was shared with the national federations that attended the 2024 congress.

“From Tokyo to Paris, we made great strides to promote gender equality within our wrestling community. It is our duty to pave the way for our future generations for equal opportunities, no matter the gender, the religious beliefs, ethnicity, etc.,” UWW President Nenad Lalovic said. “We value and praise those who promote wrestling at all levels. We witnessed that by providing the right programmes and opportunities it strengthens our sport and our community worldwide.”

Zagreb Hosts More Than Medals Camp Prior to Youth Olympic Games

By Lei Liang

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY (July 14) - More than 90 cadet wrestlers and coaches from five continents participated in the “More than Medals” training camp at the Arena Zagreb following the Cadet World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia. 

 “This edition of More than Medals was a great success, thanks to the high number of participants from all five continents. The Croatian Wrestling Federation provided excellent organization and coordination for the smooth running camp. It's the best-organized camp this year” said Ms. Deqa Niamkey, UWW Development Director.

The camp was focused on helping qualified athletes prepare for October’s Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires. Clinicians covered technique, as well as strength and conditioning training with Suples equipment before simulation matches took place. 

‘We are pleased that United World Wrestling decided to organize More than Medals World in Zagreb, Croatia. It has given us the opportunity to have our young wrestlers practice with world-class athletes and develop women’s wrestling in Croatia’, said Mr. Davor Jakubek, Secretary General of Croatian Wrestling Federation

Coaches clinics were also organized to encourage high-level coaches to share their experiences while learning together. 

Alexis Rodriguez, former world champion and Olympic Bronze medalist who coaches at the UWW African Centre said, “this camp is beneficial for preparing the athletes for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games. Many of the athletes here at the camp will be competing against each other in three months.

For more information on the development schedule, including referee and coach’s clinics, please consult the online calendars:

Educational Programs: https://unitedworldwrestling.org/development/educational-programs
Training Camps: https://unitedworldwrestling.org/development/training-camps.