#WrestleDortmund

Germany's Dittmann Elected President of UWW Europe

Sunday, June 27, 2021 - 16:40 By United World Wrestling Press

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DORTMUND, Germany (June 27) -- Karl-Martin Dittmann, Secretary-General of the German Wrestling Federation, was elected President of UWW Europe this week during a meeting at the European Junior Championships in Dortmund.

Elections were held for the entire UWW Europe bureau, Ali Csilla (HUN), Georgy Bryusov (RUS), Pircalabu Razvan (ROM), Zeljko Trajkovic (SRN), Pertti Vehviläinen (FIN), Vrenezi Betim (MKD) each being elected to a four-year term.

Dittmann’s election follows the sudden passing of longtime UWW Europe president Tseno TSENOV earlier this year.  

“I thank all my colleagues from the European wrestling community for electing me as their president and the trust they showed with this,” said Dittman. “Those who know me know that I will do everything to keep wrestling not just on the high level it already is in Europe, but to improve it in these tough times with the help of my European friends and the support of United World Wrestling.”

Dittman has been Secretary-General of the German Wrestling Federation since 2001 and in 2013, he was elected to the board of UWW Europe, then became a member of the UWW Bureau in 2014.

United World Wrestling President Nenad Lalovic: saind, "I congratulate Karl-Martin for being elected as UWW Europe President. After the sudden death of his predecessor Tzenov in spring, UWW Europe has a president again. He's someone who dedicates his life and passion to wrestling. For years, Karl Martin has been an active member of the UWW Bureau and we work efficiently and cordially together. I know UWW Europe is in the  best hands possible.“

#WrestleParis

Olympic champion Focken carries Olympic torch for Paris 2024

Thursday, June 27, 2024 - 09:38 By Vinay Siwach

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ALSACE, France (June 27) -- Tokyo Olympic champion Aline FOCKEN (GER) was part of the Olympic Torch Relay on Wednesday in Alsace, stage 41 of the relay for the 2024 Paris Games.

"It was magical," Focken said. "It was a short run for only a few minutes but I enjoyed it. I felt the Olympic spirit and pride to run with the torch. We were briefed a lot, about the significance of the torch and it's for peace and I felt it all the time. It was special."

The relay began from the European Parliament and then passed in front of the European Court of Human Rights and the Council of Europe. It also lit up the city’s covered bridges, the Grande île district, the Alsatian Museum and the Notre Dame gothic cathedral before finishing at Place Kléber, in the city’s heart, where the celebration venue was located.

 

The Olympic Torch Relay continued its voyage through eastern France with a distinctly European tone. In addition to putting the spotlight on the gems of Alsace, the Olympic Torch Relay also highlighted fraternity between people, such as Franco-German links, which were celebrated during an exceptional collective relay on the Three Countries Bridge in Huningue. Another collective relay took place in Strasbourg, dedicated, as each day, to a specific sport.

Focken carried the torch at the start of the three country bridge for 250 metres. The starting point of Focken's run was in Germany while her finish was in France. She then handed over the Olympic Torch to Frenchman Eric Kueny, representative of the host country in Huningue.

Aline FOCKEN (GER)Aline FOCKEN (GER) with the Olympic torch on Wednesday. (Photo: Lewis Joly)

Focken, who won the gold medal in 76kg weight class in Tokyo, became the first woman from Germany to win gold at the Olympics in wrestling. She said her feeling was similar to Olympic Games but she was nervous before the run.

"I was nervous," she said. "It's different and all the TV is around you. I was relaxed but nervous. It was a really special moment and I thought that this may be the last Olympic moment for you so just enjoy it. I took my family with me to the relay."