#development

Burundi hosts training camp, Beach Wrestling competition

By United World Wrestling Press

MABAYI, Burundi (March 7) --- Started in November 2021, during the post-covid period, the wrestling DNSS in Burundi experienced its terminal phase during the week of February 25 through March 04, 2023.
For this phase, the United World Wrestling sent two experts, Vincent AKA, Development Officer, and Angel Pineda Rodriguez, UWW training expert, to continue to support the Burundi wrestling federation for sustainable development.

This terminal phase began with a visit to the basic structures inside the country. This is how the two experts visited the clubs in Mabayi and Gihanga. This field visit made it possible to see that the local clubs have made an effort to constitute themselves since the formal architecture submitted by the national federation, namely a president, a treasurer, and a general secretary, all with the presence of a technician who supervises the wrestlers. Conversely, the need for more infrastructure is a limiting factor for their development. However, in Gihanga, hope remains insofar as there is a young center that would suffice to restore, like Gitega, who used his youth center and converted it into a wrestling room. The youth centers represent a real opportunity for setting up wrestling clubs (with wrestling mats made locally). As Angel Pineda, an expert of Cuban origin, pointed out, "This is what is done in Cuba, where we do with the means on board to find solutions to allow our wrestlers to practice in complete safety."

During this visit of the clubs from the inside, the clubs started to build their own Beach Wrestling arena, which represents an essential pillar for development. Because everything is easy to set up, Beach wrestling requires little means. This phase also made it possible to visit the partner schools for the wrestling for young girls project.

A meeting was organized with all club presidents and coaches was held to consolidate what already exists. During this meeting, the focus was on the theme "Project of a club structure." This made it possible to explain to the various participants the steps to develop his club and to approach the project approach to develop his wrestling club. The objective is to give tools to all those who want to move forward while understanding the concept of a club project.

BRUWrestlers from Burundi sit together inside the Beach Wrestling circle. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

It was also an opportunity to take stock with the federation of the impact of the DNSS while considering the prospects.

In parallel with the training of club leaders, to allow the best wrestlers to experience high intensive training, a training camp was organized at the Olympafrica Center in Kanyosha, which has become the reference center for the training of the national wrestling team. 

Thanks to the renovation of the multipurpose hall by the Olympafrica Foundation, which allows the Burundian Wrestling Federation to bring together its best cadet, junior and senior wrestlers in Olympic wrestling. The wrestling mat donated by United World Wrestling entirely plays its role.
During this training camp, two wrestlers distinguished themselves. They are Niyonkuru Lynca GLORIA, in the junior category coming from the Gitegat club and Nishimwe YVES, also a junior from the Bururi club.

During this training camp, the two executives of the Burundian Wrestling Federation, Ntwari Patrice et Nduwayezu SILAS took advantage of the presence of the experts to deepen their notion in terms of planning, the process of training a top-level wrestler. This sharing of experience gives them the tools to continue the training and preparation of the best wrestlers in Burundi.

The Burundian wrestling federation organized a Beach Wrestling tournament to end this week full of activities in style. The presence of national television made it possible to enhance this event's scope and promote beach wrestling, which has tremendous opportunities ahead of it.

Finally, the President of the Burundian National Olympic Committee, Mrs. Lydia NSEKERA, really appreciated the DNSS of wrestling and added, "We will use the DNSS of wrestling as an example for the DNSS of other Sports." 

Ella also mentioned the involvement of United World Wrestling in the development of wrestling through the vision of its President, Nenad Lalovic, to keep wrestling in the Olympic fold. "Today, wrestling is one of the Olympic disciplines which is involved in its development through its development programs and this can be seen on the ground," said Nsekera.

#WrestleNoviSad

U23 World Championships 2025 Day 5 FS & WW Highlights

By Vinay Siwach

NOVI SAD, Serbia (October 23) -- The U23 World Championships enters day five with two Freestyle weight classes -- 74kg and 92kg and three in women's wrestling -- 53kg, 59kg and 62kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 4 RESULTS

14:40: European champion Iryna BONDAR (UKR) finds a way to beat Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR) in the final 40 seconds. Kolawale was lead 3-0 but Bondar with two different takedowns to win 4-3.

14:30: Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) seems to be unbothered by the weight change as he puts on a clinic to win his 74kg quarterfinals against Mohammad BAKHSHI (JPN), 11-0. Aoyagi now into the semifinals

14:25: Mobin AZIMI (IRI) puts Iran in the semifinals after a technical superiority win over Joshua BARR (USA). Azimi led 1-1 on criteria but Barr began the second period with a takedown. But Azimi kept the pressure and scored a takedown, and used a high gut-wrench to score five turns and complete a 13-3 win and advance to the 92kg semifinals

14:20: There is no way 

14:15: Mukhamed KHANIEV (AZE) with a 10-0 victory over SACHIN (IND) and move into the semifinals at 92kg. Khaniev with three go-behinds before launching a big throw and turn to win via technical superiority.

14:10: Mitchell MESENBRINK (USA) with another technical superiority win as he beats Omar MOURAD (EGY), 12-2, to enter the 74kg semifinals.

14:00: Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) and Magomed KHANIEV (AZE) face-off in the quarterfinals at 74kg. Both wrestlers exchange takedowns with Asluev leading 2-2 on criteria. Khaniev gets on a leg attack and manages to trip Asluev without control. It is, however, scored two points for Khaniev which gives him a 4-2 lead. Asluev manages to leg attack Khaniev but no points as both wrestlers go out of bounds in par terre. Bahrain challenges the call but it is lost, giving a 5-2 lead to Khaniev. Khaniev gets hit with caution and one point for fleeing, and the bout resumes in par terre. Asluev was about to turn Khaniev but loses his grip and Khaniev gets the two points for exposure which is also his winning points in his 7-3 win

13:35: SARIKA (IND) with a late takedown against Alexis JANIAK (USA) to clinch a 6-4 victory in their 59kg bout. Sarika set up Janiak a couple of times but failed to finish until the final takedown which resulted in victory. 

13:30: Returning silver medalist Ruka NATAMI (JPN) got a solid challenge from Olivia LICHTI (CAN) in her opening 59kg bout. Natami managed to counter Licthi's attacks and score her points in the 8-1 win but Litchi can be proud of her world debut

13:15: Mobin AZIMI (IRI) books a spot in quarterfinals at 92kg against Joshua BARR (USA) after an 8-1 victory over Sadig MUSTAFAZADE (AZE). Big four pointer for Azimi in that win.

12:50: Iryna BONDAR (UKR) with a quick takedown and turn to lead 4-1 against SAVITA (IND) after being put on activity clock in the 62kg match. Savit starts the second period with a takedown to  make the score 4-3. Bondar defends that lead for the last two minutes to advance to the quarterfinals.

12:45: Mitchell MESENBRINK (USA) gets his double-leg attacks to win his 1/8 finals against PARVINDER (IND), 10-0, at 74kg. He finished with a lace turn to get the last two points.

12:30: Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) comes back from 3-1 down to beat Ion MARCU (MDA), 11-5, at 74kg. Asluev moves into the quarterfinals and keeps Magomed BAITUKAEV (UWW) alive

12:25: Magomed KHANIEV (AZE) with some masterful defense against Grigor CHOLAKYAN (ARM) and he scores on counters to beat the Armenian 14-5. Khaniev now in the quarterfinals.

12:20: Moving into the next round of 74kg bouts and we have world champion Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) doing what he does best. He beats Baitemir TULEBERDIEV (KGZ) 11-0 to advance to the quarterfinals.

11:40: Sakura MOTOKI (JPN), chasing a historic gold to complete the Golden Grand Slam, begins with a fall over world bronze medalist Nigina SABIROVA (UZB) at 62kg.

11:30: Mobin AZIMI (IRI) upsets U20 world champion Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) at 92kg. Mix of stepouts and takedowns in his 7-1 victory.

11:15: U20 world champion and senior European champion Iryna BONDAR (UKR) and Selvi ILYASOGLU (TUR) involved in a little heated match. Bondar wanted twice for aggressive fouls but she manages to beat Ilyasoglu via fall at 62kg.

10:55: Former U20 world champion Mitchell MESENBRINK (USA) begins his chase for a first world U23 title with a 12-2 win over Aliaksandr HULNIK (UWW) at 74kg.

U23 World Championships 74kg

10:50: Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN), world champion at 70kg, makes his debut at 74kg at the U23 World Championships. He begins slow but manages to up the pace in the second period and beat Petar PETKOV (BUL), 10-0.

10:40: Muhammed OZMUS (TUR) has pulled off a mini upset at 74kg as he beats Manuel WAGIN (GER), 10-2, two chest wrap attempts from Wagin costed him eight points and one for the lost challenge in that defeat.

10:30: Magomed KHANIEV (AZE) has more steady start at 74kg. He starts with a 10-0 controlled win against Georgios IOAKEIMIDIS (GRE). Khaniev will now be the favorite to reach the final from top half of that bracket.

10:20: We are off to very unexpected start at 74kg. Magomed BAITUKAEV (UWW), one of the favorites for gold at 74kg, goes down 3-3 against Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) in the opening bout. He led 3-0 but Asluev tied it in the second period, taking a criteria lead. He defended the lead to win.

10:00: The fifth day in Novi Sad can witness history. Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) is chasing the gold and join the elite group of wrestlers to win all world titles and the Olympic gold medal.