#Anti-Doping

Iraq conducts anti-doping education program

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (August 16) -- At the request of the United World Wrestling, the Iraqi Wrestling Federation held a four-day anti-doping education program from August 11 to 14, 2022.

The seminar was conducted in collaboration with the Iraqi Anti-Doping Agency.

Dozens of wrestlers, across various age groups, along with coaches and athletes’ support staff attended the sessions, where they were educated about their obligations and rights as per the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code.

Several subjects were discussed during the sessions. The wrestlers, their coaches and support staff were made aware of the WADA’s list of prohibited substances, effective as of January 1, 2022. The prohibited list may include any substance or methods that satisfy any two of the following three criteria: if it enhances an athlete’s sporting performance; if it is an actual or potential health risk to the athlete; or if it violates the spirit of sport, as defined by the WADA Code.

The wrestlers were also educated about the consequences of doping, the testing protocols, the risks associated with nutritional supplements and therapeutic use exemptions.

Mr Shaalan Al Tamimi, the president of the Iraqi Wrestling Federation, said: “I am very satisfied with this project and we will continue this close collaboration on education with the anti-doping organization in Iraq to combat harmful conduct for our sports community.”

The four-day anti-doping program was in continuation of UWW’s quest for clean sport and an effective anti-doping education is a crucial part of it. In partnership with the WADA and the International Testing Agency, the UWW is determined to fight against doping in Wrestling (Olympic and Associated Styles) and works closely with National Wrestling Federations, National Anti-doping Agencies and National Olympic Committees.

Education is the key to preventing doping, which should be the primary objective. The UWW's anti-doping education initiative offers a comprehensive program for all stakeholders, particularly young wrestlers. National Federations, too, have a crucial role to play in educating their wrestlers. UWW encourages and supports any program they wish to set up in partnership with their National Anti-doping Agency.

#WrestleZagreb

Wrestling Calendar 2025: World, continental championships live on UWW+

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (January 7) -- The 2025 wrestling season for United World Wrestling will kick off with the 1st Ranking Series event -- Zagreb Open -- in Croatia. The event will be the first of the four Ranking Series scheduled this year.

The season-opening Zagreb Open will be held from February 5 to 9 at the Arena Zagreb, the venue for the senior World Championships later in September. The second stop of the Ranking Series will be in Tirana, Albania. The Muhamet Malo tournament will be held from February 26 to March 2.

The focus will shift to championships after the first two Ranking Series events and kicking off the continental tour will be Oceania Championships in Pago Pago, American Samoa from March 20 to 22. The Asian Championships will be held in Amman, Jordan from March 25 to 30.

April will see the European Championships in Bratislava, Slovakia from April 7 to 13 before the tour continues for African Championships in Casablanca, Morocco from April 29 to May 4. Pan-American Championships will be held in Monterrey, Mexico from May 8 to 11, marking and end of the senior continental championships.

The Ranking Series will return in May, with Mongolia as the third stop. The Ulaanbaatar Open will be held from May 29 to June 1 in the Mongolian capital. The final stop will be the prestigious Polyák Imre, Varga János & Kozma István Memorial tournament from July 17 to 20. As is the norm, it will be held in Budapest, Hungary.

The World Championships calendar will begin with the U17 World Championships in Athens, Greece from July 28 to August 3. The championships is returning to Greece after seven years. Close to a month later, the U20 World Championships will be held in Sofia, Bulgaria from August 18 to 24. The same tournament was held in Sofia in 2022.

The mega event for 2025 -- World Championships -- will be held in Zagreb from September 13 to 21 at the Zagreb Arena in the capital city of Croatia. This is the first time that Croatia will be hosting the big event.

Budapest, Hungary will host the Veteran World Championships from October 7 to 12 and the season's final World Championships will be the U23, to be held in Novi Sad, Serbia from October 20 to 26.

Apart from these events, the UWW calendar will see the age-group continental championships, beach wrestling events and numerous other international tournaments throughout 2025.

All Ranking Series, continental championships and World Championships will be live and exclusive on UWW+.

For a detailed calendar, visit uww.org/events