Development

Croatia organizes 'Learn, Wrestle, Use' in Porec

By United World Wrestling Press

POREC, Croatia (July 3, 2024)—The Croatian Wrestling Federation organized an international wrestling camp titled “Learn, Wrestle, Use.” The camp took place in the well-established wrestling center of sunny Poreč from April 1 to 6. It catered to girls and boys in the age categories of U13, U15, and U17. In addition to wrestling, participants learned the official languages of UWW—English and French.

The camp was run by Croatian experts – Hrvoje Šavuk, coach (U13 Boys Group), Eugen Jakovljević, coach of the Croatian U15 boys national team (U15 and U17 Boys Group) and coaches of women’s wrestling Croatian national team Nenad Žugaj and Ivan Lončarić (Girls Group).

Collectively, 240 children from four European countries, including Croatia, Italy, Slovakia, and Slovenia, participated in the camp.

CROParticipants of the 'Learn, Wrestle, Use' camp work on technique with the Croatian coastline in the background. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

The significant potential of this camp was acknowledged by the UWW, and UWW Development Officer Vincent Aka was present, from whom both the leaders of groups and the young coaches learned a lot. Namely, the camp was attended by 22 young female and male coaches, in addition to the leader, who received valuable education at this camp, primarily from Vincent Aka, who greatly contributed to the quality of this camp with his knowledge and commitment. It was the opportunity to present United World Wrestling Academy to the coaches and invite them to use it to the fullest because all the educational resources are available and free for everyone (coaches, referees, athletes, administration)

Apart from wrestling and language learning sessions, the camp also featured organized swimming lessons, sea swimming, evening recreational activities and time to watch the European qualifying tournament for the Olympic Games in Paris 2024.

Wrestling training took place in three groups on indoor and outdoor courts. Learning languages was taught in four groups - three English groups and one French group. The atmosphere during the entire camp was excellent, as was the food, which has long been recognized by the wrestlers who come here in large numbers for sport preparations.

“I had a great time here and I would like to come back next year!”, “If only it had lasted longer!”, “Everything was great, especially the tuna steak.” and “It's painful, but there's no fun without pain.” are just some of the comments collected from young female and male wrestlers who attended the first camp in a series called “Learn, wrestle, use”.

#WrestleAlexandria

Eight Golds Power Nigeria to Women's Team Title

By United World Wrestling Press

ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (May 2) -- For a second day in a row, Nigeria was stopped from sweeping the gold medals in Women's Wrestling at the African Championships in Alexandria.

After winning four out of five golds on Friday, Nigeria was well on course to win all five remaining golds on Saturday but Zaineb SGHAIER (TUN) defeated Ebi BIOGOS (NGR), 6-2, in the 72kg final to halt the march.

UWW Plus

Sghaier, wrestling for the first time since the 2024 Paris Olympics, used a rather dangerous trip to score her first takedown and then rolled Biogos for two more points. Down 4-2, Biogos tried scoring the final few seconds but Sghaier scored a go-behind for the win, her third African gold.

But the evening began with Miesinnei GENESIS (NGR) winning her sixth African title after beating Chahrazed AYACHI (TUN), 6-0, in a controlled 50kg final.

Genesis began with a stepout before using a snapdown to go-behind takedown to lead 3-0. Ayachi was called for passivity and put on the 30-second activity clock. As Ayachi failed to score any points, Genesis got another point to lead 4-0 at the break.

A simple go-behind takedown in the second period for Genesis made it 6-0, a lead she defended for the remaining 1:24 to win the gold medal.

At 55kg, Adijat IDRIS (NGR) won all three bouts in the round-robin bracket without giving up a single point to claim the gold medal, her second straight at the African Championships.

Esther ASAOLU (NGR), making her senior debut, then added the third gold medal by winning all her bouts at 59kg in the round-robin bracket. She began with a victory via fall over Kavelishimwe ABRAHAM (NAM), then a 10-0 win over Gloria NIYONKURU (BDI) before beating Chaima DAHI (TUN) and Mariam MESBAH (EGY) by an identical 10-0 score.

Though she lost to Asaolu, Abraham went on to win her remaining three bouts to claim the silver medal, the first in the history of Namibia in Women's Wrestling. She was also the first woman wrestler from Namibia to ever medal internationally when she won the silver medal at the U20 African Championships in 2023. She repeated in 2024 and on Saturday, she made history at the senior level.

The fourth gold medal for Nigeria came at 65kg after three-time African champion Mercy ADEKUOROYE (NGR) swept through her three bouts, winning 10-0, 10-0 and via fall.

Photo

RESULTS

50kg
GOLD: Miesinnei GENESIS (NGR) df. Chahrazed AYACHI (TUN), 6-0

BRONZE: Ibtissem DOUDOU (ALG) df. Malak AHMED (EGY), 6-3

55kg
GOLD: Adijat IDRIS (NGR)
SILVER: Hagar ELSHAKHS (EGY)
BRONZE: Lobna ICHAOUI (TUN)

59kg
GOLD: Esther ASAOLU (NGR)
SILVER: Kavelishimwe ABRAHAM (NAM)
BRONZE: Mariam MESBAH (EGY)

65kg
GOLD: Mercy ADEKUOROYE (NGR)
SILVER: Ritag ELMALTY (EGY)
BRONZE: Lec ANDE (CAF)

72kg
GOLD: Zaineb SGHAIER (TUN) df. Ebi BIOGOS (NGR), 6-2

BRONZE: Rosie TABORA (COD) df. Aimelda NDIFFO (CMR), 12-2
BRONZE: Heba IBRAHIM (EGY) df. Yasmine BOUREGBA (ALG), via fall (6-2)