YOG

IOC: Dakar Summer YOG Postponed to 2026

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (July 22) -- The International Olympic Committee has announced that the Summer Youth Olympic Games scheduled for Dakara, Senegal in 2022, have been postponed to 2026. The announcement comes during the worldwide effort to control the caronavirus pandemic.

From the IOC Website:

The postponement of Dakar 2022 allows the IOC, the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and the International Federations (IFs) to better plan their activities, which have been strongly affected by the postponement of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, by the subsequent postponements of major international sports events, and by the operational and financial consequences of the global health crisis.

At the same time, it allows Senegal to carry on the excellent preparations for the Youth Olympic Games. The two leaders, who praised the progress made so far, have jointly renewed their confidence in Dakar 2022 President Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, IOC Member in Senegal, and both remain fully committed to the great success of these Youth Olympic Games, the first Olympic event ever to be organised in Africa.

 

The 2022 Summer YOG was scheduled to include beach wrestling and freestyle wrestling on the programme.

Development

Divcibare hosts 2025-2026 Educator-Educator Course

By United World Wrestling Press

DIVČIBARE, Serbia (February 13) — Nestled in the scenic mountains of Serbia, DivČibare served as the host city for the 2025-2026 Educator-Educator Course, held from January 23-26. This event gathered 28 participants from 17 different countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas, including Olympic and world champions, referees, and experienced coaches, all eager to enhance their instructional skills and contribute to the development of wrestling education worldwide.

The course was expertly led by Vincent AKA (CIV) and Zach ERRET (USA), with the presence of Deqa NIAMKEY, Director of Development at United World Wrestling (UWW). Over four days, participants engaged in a dynamic and interactive learning experience, covering advanced pedagogical concepts such as the 80/20 teaching method, effective feedback techniques (TAG), and innovative use of technology in sports education. Microteaching sessions provided a hands-on approach, allowing attendees to refine their skills by delivering lessons and receiving constructive peer feedback.

4.0Participants go through an on-the-mat training course at Serbia. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

A highlight of the program was the diverse exchange of experiences among participants. “As an Olympic champion, I will definitely incorporate many of the concepts from this course into my future programs,” noted Komeil GHASEMI (IRI). Mo EGYPT, a world champion, emphasized the importance of integrating new technologies and interactive teaching methods into coaching strategies, while Nenad ZUGAJ (CRO) described the experience as “a course where we all participated through various tasks, helping and guiding each other.”

Beyond the classroom, the event fostered camaraderie among educators, strengthening global collaboration for future wrestling education initiatives. Participants enjoyed their stay at a tranquil mountain hotel, enhancing team dynamics and cultural exchange.

srb 2UWW staff walk through the interactive learning experience, covering advanced pedagogical concepts such as the 80/20 teaching method, effective feedback techniques (TAG), and innovative use of technology in sports educatio. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Deqa NIAMKEY highlighted the significance of this course at the start of a new Olympic cycle, stressing UWW’s commitment to renewing and strengthening its educational programs by involving high-level experts and supporting athletes in their transition to coaching roles.

With a renewed sense of purpose and enriched teaching methodologies, the educators left Divččibare prepared to contribute to the continuous growth of wrestling education worldwide. The course not only elevated professional capacities but also reinforced the shared mission of developing the next generation of wrestling instructors through innovation and excellence.