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.”
 

#UnitedWorldWrestling

Lalovic attends WADA Conference, completes development visits in Asia

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (December 8) -- United World Wrestling President Nenad LALOVIC, who serves on the WADA Executive Committee as an IOC representative, attended the 2025 WADA World Conference held from December 1 to 5 in Busan, Korea.

The conference brought together the global anti-doping community for high-level discussions on the World Anti-Doping Program, with a key focus on approving the 2027 World Anti-Doping Code and International Standards. The revision process, launched in September 2023, has allowed stakeholders to contribute to strengthening and modernizing the global anti-doping system.

Nenad LALOVIC

Development visits

President Lalovic also completed wrestling-related visits to China, Korea, and Kyrgyzstan, reinforcing UWW’s commitment to supporting National Federations and expanding the sport across the region.

In each country, Lalovic emphasized UWW’s ongoing efforts to deepen cooperation with National Federations, increase engagement, and grow wrestling at the elite and grassroots levels. He encouraged federations to integrate wrestling programs into schools, offering more opportunities for young athletes to enter the sport.

Nenad LALOVIC

A key area of discussion was UWW’s development strategy leading into the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle, including updates on Olympic qualification, the Pro Series, and opportunities available to National Federations.

In China, meetings were held with Vice Minister of General Administration of Sport of China Lixin TONG and Vice President of National Olympic Committee of China Jinqiang ZHOU.

UWW also recently announced the addition of Raul TRUJILLO DIAZ, longtime coach of Olympic champion Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) and recipient of the 2025 IOC Coaches Lifetime Achievement Award, to support global development of Greco-Roman. Lalovic highlighted that such initiatives strengthen the sport and promote valuable exchanges of expertise among federations and coaches.

MoU

MoU signed in Kyrgyzstan

During the visit to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan inaugurated a new wrestling arena and academy, marking a significant step forward in its cooperation with UWW.

A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between UWW and Izabekov Wrestling Academy to expand development programs and training opportunities in the country.

Accompanied by UWW Asia President Mohammad Al-AWAMLEH and Secretary General Carlos ROY, Lalovic met with representatives of the Kyrgyzstan federation to discuss regional initiatives and long-term development plans.

On December 6, Lalovic was received by Sadyr JAPAROV, President of the Kyrgyz Republic, to whom he presented the UWW medal in recognition of his support for wrestling.