Development

OlympAfrica Hosts Largest Ever Wrestling Event in Ivory Coast

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY (May 17) -- United World Wrestling has partnered with OlympAfrica in Ivory Coast to host that nation's largest ever wrestling event. The two-month program includes more than 2,000 students from Soubré, Meagui and Okrouyo who are taking part in various camps and competitions until June 23. 

United World Wrestling development officer Vincent AKA, who was born in Ivory Coast and wrestled for France, is also leading a Level 1 coaching course in the country.

OlympAfrica is a foundation that has sport development centers in over 46 African countries and works in collaboration with the National Olympic Committees. It was founded based on an idea expressed by the late Juan Antonio SAMARANCH, former President of the International Olympic Committee. 

The foundation is owned by the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa and supported by the International Olympic Committee, United World Wrestling and other partners, for the development of sports at a recreational and grassroots level in many African countries.

OlympAfrica has set up centers dedicated to sports activities, workshops, HIV prevention, coaching education and much more. The aim of these centers is to involve the youth in sports and activities that are good for their future development once they have finished their day at school. It's an excellent talent identification tool, particularly with the introduction of the Youth Olympic Games in the Olympic program.

UWW Playlists: Best of Olympic champ Esmaeili

By United World Wrestling Press

Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) was the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics at 67kg in Greco-Roman. A year later in 2025, he added the world title to his name, his first at the senior level, to be among one of the best Greco wrestler currently.

The 22-year-old is also a U17 and U20 world champion and has wins over all top wrestlers of his weight class including Olympic champion Luis ORTA (CUB) and two-time world silver medalist Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE).

Watch all matches of Esmaeili from early days to him becoming a world champion in Zagreb in 2025.

Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI): All Bouts of Olympic champion