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China Establishes Capital University of Physical Education and Sports (CUPES) at BIIOS

Tuesday, December 21, 2021 - 14:20 By UWW Development

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BEIJING, China (December 21) --- On the 50-day countdown to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, the Beijing Institute for International Olympic Studies (BIIOS) was officially established at the Capital University of Physical Education and Sports(CUPES). The BIIOS was approved and established by the Chinese government and was listed in the global research center directory of the IOC. The establishment of the BIIOS is a milestone for the development of China's Olympic education. In the future, it will be built as an important platform for the the Chinese sports spirit and the Olympic spirit.

At the unveiling ceremony,, ZHANG Xia United World Wrestling Bureau Member and president of the CUPES, invited important leaders from the Chinese sports circle and the education circle. Many overseas organizations and universities, including the Olympic Research Center of the IOC, the International Olympic Academy(IOA), the Russia International Olympic University (RIOU), and the German Sport University Cologne, also sent congratulations.

At the same time, when the BIIOS was established, the first important event was welcomed. National Youth Olympic Knowledge and Anti-doping Education Series sponsored by the Chinese Olympic Committee and undertaken by our university was grandly launched. This activity aims to spread the Olympic spirit to young people, and carries out anti-doping publicity. This is of great significance to the healthy development of sports in China and even in the world. 

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UWW Breakout Wrestlers of 2025: Hidlay, Farokhi, Onishi

Monday, December 15, 2025 - 12:24 By Eric Olanowski

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (December 14) -- The 2025 Breakout Wrestlers of the Year were not the ones anyone circled heading into the season. They weren’t the favorites, or the ones analysts picked to walk away from the season as world medalists.

They were the outsiders, largely unproven and underestimated. But that all changed in a single season when they smashed expectations, catapulting themselves into world-wide stardom with world-title runs that nobody saw coming.

Freestyle Breakout Performer of the Year: Trent HIDLAY (USA)

Before 2025, Hidlay had never climbed to the top of a podium at an international event. His  2025 season even began with more doubt than promise, dropping his second match of the year to rising Azeri phenom Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) at the Zagreb Open. But that loss lit a fuse. From that moment on, the 26-year-old didn’t just improve -- he transformed.

Hidlay unleashed a stunning 13-match win streak and collected gold medals at the Pan-American Championships, the Budapest Ranking Series and the World Championships. Along the way, he knocked off giants -- Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE), Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), and Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE), just to name a few.

Then came the finale: a world finals comeback for the ages. Down and all but finished, Hidlay stormed back to defeat Amanula GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (UWW). In one year, Hidlay didn’t just win -- he arrived.

Greco-Roman Breakout Performer of the Year: Gholemreza FAROKHI (IRI)

When opportunity knocked, Farokhi wasn’t just there to answer it, he was there to kick the door off its hinges. The 23-year-old stepped into Iran’s senior lineup for the first time in his career and tore through anyone in front of him -- whether it was at 82kg or 87kg.

Farokhi bulldozed his way to gold medals at the two World Championships he participated in. He racked up a perfect 17-0 record, including 11 technical superiority wins and six decisions, sweeping gold at the World Championships, U23 World Championships, the Islamic Solidarity Games, and the Zagreb Open Ranking Series.

Women’s Wrestling Breakout Performer of the Year: Sakura ONISHI (JPN)

At 19 years old, Onishi entered the senior circuit with massive goals but had zero experience and zero fear. In mere months, she became a problem no one had an answer for.

Onishi tore through the season with a flawless 15-0 record, capturing titles at the Senior and U20 World Championships, the Asian Championships, and the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series. Her dominance wasn’t subtle -- it was exactly what you’d expect from a Japanese women’s wrestler -- 11 tech falls, three pins, and a decision, outscoring opponents 158-17.