#OffTheMat

A Day in the Life: Olympic champion David Taylor

By Eric Olanowski

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

Mauritius introduces wrestling into national school program

By United World Wrestling Press

The Mauritius Wrestling Federation inducted on the national schools program with 10 trained P.E. Teachers in various schools across the island and signature of a MOU is foreseen with the Ministry of Education to officialise the agreement next month.

Following the launch of the UWW Regional Education Development Program for the Indian Ocean 2022 and 2023, Deqa NIAMKEY and Vincent AKA, UWW Development Department, met with the local sporting authorities including Ministry of Sports, National Olympic Committee, national media, etc. to discuss and pursue the development of wrestling in MRI and the region. 

Two consecutive editions of the REDP program allowed for the federation to understand the popularity of wrestling and the requirements to introduce the discipline on the national sporting program. Starting at the grassroot level, particularly in schools and clubs while training the P.E. teachers, coaches and referees was an outstanding success that surprised all. 

The NF with its great leadership and administrators is the base of these developments. The President of the Mauritius Wrestling Federation, Mr. Richard Papie, who also the Vice President of the NOC, is highly dedicated to develop wrestling in Mauritius and strengthen the collaboration of NFs in the region. The MRI NF is implementing many initiatives, including the pursuit of their development plan through the Olympic Solidarity Development of the National Structure Program with a focus on increasing practitioners and popularity across Mauritius and Rodrigue Islands.  

Yusniel RAMIREZ (CUB) is currently coaching the national team in view of their preparation for the Road to Paris 2024 OG thanks to the support of the Ministry of Sports and NOC.

“The UWW Development Team provided tremendous support for these developments. The REDP project made us understand the importance to create an annual, realistic and up to our scale of development, with various/simultaneous activities for our wrestling community to participate and enjoy," said Richard Papie."Such initiatives create a sense of belonging and all participants felt that the wrestling community is one family. Most of all, I realised how popular wrestling is.”

Schedule of actions MRI NF:
August, 2023: Initiate Animators training to 9 physical educators
August, 2023: Signature of the MOU
September 2023: Opening of 3 wrestling schools with students of age 12 to 15
September-October 2023: One or two training sessions in the schools per week
November 2023: After exams three training sessions in the schools per week
December 2023: Xmas tournament for the new wrestlers, freestyle and beach wrestling 
January 2024: Refresher course for Animators
January-February 2024: Opening of 2 or 3 additional wrestling schools with students of age 16 to 19
January-February 2024: Monitoring and supporting training in schools 
March 2024: Organizing Seminar on athletes’ career path 
April 2024: Organizing coaches course level one for the physical educators
May 2024: National Championship All categories