Anti-Doping, Iran, wrestling, WADA

Iran Wrestling Federation Hosts Anti-Doping Workshop

By Tim Foley

TEHRAN (February 6) – The Iran Wrestling Federation recently held an informational course on anti-doping for members of the nation’s Greco-Roman and freestyle national teams.

The workshop, which was focused on junior and senior freestyle and Greco-Roman, was led by United World Wrestling medical commission chair Babak SHADGAN (CAN) and was held at the National Federation Camp in Khane-ye-Koshti (Wrestling House) in Tehran.

Dr. Shadgan covered doping control procedures, rule violations, dangers, prevention of accidental doping attempts, out of competition sampling, whereabouts information, and the seriousness with which United World Wrestling is fighting against doping in the sport of wrestling.

Shadgan, a WADA Foundation Board member (2003-2005), a WADA Independent Observer (2005-2011) explained that that the main factor behind doping rules violation is lack of doping control knowledge in athletes, in particular in wrestling.

“Lack of knowledge has been the main causes and we should take it seriously and fill this gap by promoting our anti-doping education programs,’ said Shadgan. “The national coaches and medical team are very serious and concerned about doping and really wanted their athletes to stay away from any risk, which was great.”

United World Wrestling president Nenad LALOVIC applauded the efforts of the Iran Wrestling Federation and Dr. Shadgan to inform athletes of the risks associated with doping.

“We applaud the efforts of all our national federations and members of the medical commission to inform our young wrestlers,” said Lalovic. “We must stay vigilant and always do our best to keep young, and old, wrestlers current with anti-doping regulations.”
 

#development

UWW hosts fifth Women in Wrestling Global Forum in Mongolia

By United World Wrestling Press

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (October 14) -- The fifth edition of the Women in Wrestling Global Forum 2025 took place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from October 7 to 11, bringing together more than 34 women leaders, athletes, coaches, referees, and administrators from 21 countries.

Hosted by the Mongolian Wrestling Federation and the Mongolian National Olympic Committee, the Forum was opened by representatives of the Mongolian Wrestling Federation and the Mongolian National Olympic Committee, including the NOC Vice President Choijgavaa NARAMBAATAR.

The opening session reflected the support of United World Wrestling’s leadership, represented by UWW Vice Presidents Natalia YARIGUINA and Rodica YAKSI, Bureau Members, and the Development team. All the speakers highlighted UWW's commitment to gender equality and leadership education.

"It was a great Forum," Yaksi said. "We have participants from all continents and from around the world. Some were coaches, wrestlers, referees, and some in sports administration. We tried different activities to make every one comfortable."

Guided by UWW Development Director Deqa NIAMKEY and educators Rafael GALVA and Edit DOZSA, the Forum offered leadership sessions, practical workshops, and cultural experiences. The participants explored stakeholder engagement, communication styles, sustainability, coaching strategies, and athlete safety.

In a special segment, Mariana DIAZ MUNOZ (MEX) and Marina RUEDA FLORES (ESP) presented "Luchadoras de Iberoamérica," a joint project promoting female empowerment in sport. Olympic medalist and Kyrgyzstan's first world champion Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) shared her journey from being a national pioneer and creating history for Kyrgyzstan. 

The Forum participants visited the Chinggis Khaan Museum and attended a traditional wrestling "Bokh" session in Ulaanbaatar and learned about the origins of wrestling the country.

"The whole program was an amazing experience," Yaksi said. "The biggest achievement of this Forum over the years is that it brings together people of different field who are ready to help each other grow in wrestling."