#OffTheMat

A Day in the Life: Olympic champion David Taylor

Wednesday, May 10, 2023 - 13:03 By Eric Olanowski

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PENNSYLVANIA, United States (May 10) --- Olympic champion David TAYLOR (USA) took viewers on a captivating journey through a day in his life as a wrestler — from his intense training regime to his life outside the wrestling hall.

At 11:05, Taylor arrived at ‘K2 Roots’, a business he runs with his wife Kendra in State College, PA since 2017. Taylor dropped in K2 Roots for juice, coffee and to help behind the counter.

Taylor arrived at Penn State University for practice which began at 13:30. He focused on working through some positions, going through drills while wrestling with four-time world champion Kyle DAKE (USA).

The Penn State hall had seven current and former world and Olympic medalists practicing simultaneously. This includes Taylor, Dake, Kyle SNYDER (USA), Thomas GILMAN (USA), Jake VARNER (USA), Cael SANDERSON (USA) and Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO).

After practice, at 17:50, Taylor headed home for his birthday party.

After cutting the birthday cake cut, Dake and Taylor moved downstairs to play a game of pool. He explained his brotherly relationship with Dake and his family as they both chase Olympic glory.

For the record, Dake won the pool game.

The day is not done yet as Taylor leaves for the M2 Training Center in State College at 19:10. Taylor created it to help wrestlers learn and achieve their goals on and off the mat. The curriculum, technique, and training are all based on what Taylor has done in the past and what he is doing today as he pursues his international wrestling goals.

He turned coach for young wrestlers, pushing them for practice and techniques like finishing and defending leg attacks.

Taylor is a world and Olympic champion, but there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes which he shares in the video.

#development

Jordan hosts coaching and referee courses

Tuesday, August 30, 2022 - 17:19 By United World Wrestling Press

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AMMAN, Jordan (August 29) -- Jordan Wrestling Federation hosted a series of education courses for their coaches and referees between August 5-17 in Amman. These courses were conducted in conjunction with United World Wrestling, Olympic Solidarity, and the Jordan Wrestling Federation.

The coaching courses were led by Ahmed KHEDHRI (TUN) while the referee course was led by UWW Referee Commission vice-president Kamel BOUAZIZ (TUN).

The first course conducted was the Introduction to Referee Course from August 5-7. Forty participants participated in the course which included six women referees. The participants learned the foundations of what it takes to be a successful 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 were able to practice their skills through practical evaluations.

JordanThe coach's course in Amman. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

“It was an excellent training course as all the participants are happy with it and wish to repeat such courses," Bouaziz said. "Members of the Jordan Federation and Olympic Committee expressed their thanks to the International Olympic Committee, UWW and the IF's development department for their great contribution and keenness to develop wrestling in the Kingdom of Jordan.”

Following the referee course, Khedri led 40 participants in the Introduction to Coaching and Safety Course (Level 1). The course included nine women [coaches and athletes] and 31 men [coaches, PE teachers, and athletes].

All participants learned the foundations of being a successful coach. They focused on the following areas: discovery games, introducing a new technique, coaching skills, giving feedback, risk management, age and developmental stage characteristics. During the course, the coaches actively practiced and developed their skills through practical evaluations.

“The atmosphere was distinguished, based mainly on teamwork, involvement and practice of all participants individually and by group system,” Khedhri said.

JordanA competition was held after the completition of both the courses. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Following the completion of the two courses, the Jordan Wrestling Federation hosted a competition that allowed the referees and coaches to practice the skills that they learned. This competition had 80 boys and 16 girls participating which allowed 87 bouts to be wrestled.

After the competition, Khedhri conducted the Introduction to Practice Planning Course (Level 2). This course had 45 coaches participating [nine women and 36 men].

During this course, the participants learned the foundations of planning effective training sessions. They discussed the general framework for practice plans, risk management strategies in planning, creating activities during practice, video analysis, and effective time management. The participants were able to create practice plans that they could use in upcoming training.

“They were outstanding courses and a convincing performance from all the participants," Khedhri said. "The participants expressed the improvement of their knowledge and their desire to continue to participate in such courses and along with a commitment of the Jordan Federation, which expressed their complete satisfaction and thanks to Olympic Solidarity, the Jordanian Olympic Committee, and the UWW Development department, confirming their continued hard work for the benefit of Jordanian wrestling."