#development

Qatar hosts Regional Coaching and Referee course

Thursday, June 29, 2023 - 12:23 By United World Wrestling Press

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DOHA, Qatar (June 29) -- Qatar Wrestling Federation hosted its first-ever Regional Coaching Course and an Introduction to Refereeing Course. The courses were conducted between May 29 and June 3 in Doha and had participants from seven different countries namely Qatar, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Brazil, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.

These courses were conducted in conjunction with United World Wrestling, Olympic Solidarity, Qatar NOC and the Qatar Wrestling Federation.

The coaching course was led by Mohamed ADBELFATTAH. The referee course was led by Kamel BOUAZIZ who is the vice-president of the Referee Commission and President of the Arab Wrestling Federation.

Arsen JULFALAKYAN, President of the Athletes Commission and former world champion and Olympic medalist, assisted in the delivery of the courses.

The Regional Coaching Course was conducted over a five-day period with 20 coaches -- 18 men and two women. They participated in a Level 2 Course [Introduction to Practice Planning].

The course focused on basic video analysis, the development of effective training sessions, the mental development of wrestlers, and coaching the seven basic skills of wrestling. 

ARSParticipants go through a practical training session with Greco-Roman legend and world champion Arsen JULFALAKYAN (ARM) (Photo: United World Wrestling)

During the course, the coaches actively practiced and developed their skills through practical evaluations. The coaches also had the chance to work with Julfalakyan. The participants were able to learn valuable Greco-Roman techniques from both educators.

"The course in Qatar was interesting and eventful. Coaches and referees from the region participated in it," Julfalakyan said. "We carried out productive work both in theory and in practice. You could notice that the Qatar federation is determined to develop wrestling in the country."

“The course went very well. We had representatives from many countries," Abdelfattah said. "It is clear that Qatar is committed to growing the sport.” 

The Introduction to Refereeing Course, led by Bouaziz, was conducted for five days and had five participants who learned the foundations of being a referee.

The areas covered during the course included: the safety of the athletes, evaluation of holds, referee mechanics, positioning, and controlling the bout. The participants also worked directly with the coaches during a session to learn common areas of mistakes from referees and coaches. 

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Kamel BOUAZIZ (TUN) leads the five-day Introduction to Refereeing Course in Qatar. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

"During the theoretical courses, most of the participants eagerly received the information, asked the questions, and wanted to know the latest changes to the rules. They are passionate about refereeing," Bouaziz said.

"We express our deep gratitude and appreciation to UWW Bureau Member, Head of Athletes Commission Arsen Julfalakyan, Vice-president of UWW Referee Commission-Educator Kamal Bouaziz, UWW Educator Coach Mohammed Abdelfattah, and UWW Development Department for invaluable support in helping us achieve this remarkable growth," Sheikh Fahad bin Hamad Al Thani, President of Qatar Wrestling Federation and Member of Qatar Olympic Committee, said.

"The wealth of knowledge and impactful teaching style of the UWW experts empowered coaches and referees with insight and experience that resonated profoundly."

2026 World Championships

Maroulis, Dake, Snyder Make U.S. Team for 2026 World Championships

Saturday, June 20, 2026 - 08:53 By United World Wrestling Press

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NEWARK, New Jersey, United States -- Four-time world champion Kyle DAKE (USA) returned to the United States team for the World Championships after three years after beating defending world champion Zahid VALENCIA (USA) in best-of-three series at 86kg on Friday.

Dake overcame a round one loss to take two straight matches from Valencia at the 2026 Final X, the World Championships selection tournament for the U.S.

Apart from Dake, world champions Kyle SNYDER (USA) and Helen MAROULIS (USA) also made the team and will look to defend their gold medals in Astana, Kazakhstan from October 24 to November 1.

Paris Olympic champion will also be eyeing her third world title after she got a forfeit in her matches to make the team the at 72kg. Now a mother of four-month old child, Elor has not wrestled internationally since the gold medal win in Paris in August 2024.

United StatesThe eight winners of Final X on Friday. (Photo: USA Wrestling / Tony Rotundo)

Dake, who lost the first bout to Valencia 3-2, returned to win 4-1 and 4-0 in second and third bouts to lock up his place at 86kg.

Snyder also had to go the distance to beat Stephen BUCHANAN (USA) at 97kg. Buchanan snuck in a 5-5 criteria win in round two, before Snyder rebounded with a controlled 9-3 decision in round three.

For a second-straight year, Maroulis faced Amanda MARTINEZ (USA) at 57kg in Women's Wrestling and it was much closer this time around. Maroulis defeated Martinez, 8-1 and 6-0, for two straight wins.

A few young stars also made the team and will be taking their first trip to the senior World Championships.

Among the top battles was at 61kg in which U20 world champion Marcus BLAZE (USA) defeated U23 world champion Jaxen FORREST (USA) in three bouts.

Blaze managed a 2-2 criteria win over Forrest in the first bout before the latter bounced back with a 6-1 win in the second. Blaze locked the third bout with a 5-2 win.

United StatesThe eight Final X winners in Women's Wrestling on Friday. (Photo: USA Wrestling / Tony Rotundo)

At 50kg in Women's Wrestling, U17 world champion Morgan TURNER (USA) took out Katie GOMEZ (USA) in three bouts. The 18-year-old won the first bout over Gomez 7-2 before dropping the second 3-2. However, dictated the third one and finished as an 8-2 winner.

With the win, Turner has qualified to represent the U.S. at the U20, U23 and Senior World Championships this year.

A second 18-year-old high school graduate, Everest LEYDECKER (USA), won at 55kg in straight matches. The U20 world champion defeated Areana VILLAESCUSA (USA), 2-1 and 3-1, to make her first senior-level world team.

In other Women's Wrestling matches, former world medalist Kayla MIRACLE (USA) got the better of Jennifer PAGE (USA) in two matches, 7-2 and 5-1.

At 59kg, Abigail NETTE (USA) dominated Alexis JANIAK (USA) in both matches, beating her via fall in first and 10-0 in the second. Former U20 world champion Cristelle RODRIGUEZ (USA) also dominant in her bouts at 53kg, beating Elena IVALDI (USA), 10-0 and 9-0.

The 62kg series went back-and-forth as Adaugo NWACHUKWU (USA) defeated Macey KILTY (USA). She pinned Kilty in the first bout before losing the second 4-0. In a thrilling third bout, Nwachukwu held on to a 4-3 win.

In Freestyle, Olympic silver medalist Spencer LEE (USA) will being once again look to win his first world medal after making the team at 57kg. He won 7-1 and 8-4 over Luke LILLEDAHL (USA) who had defeated Lee at the U.S. Open.

World silver medalist Levi HAINES (USA) went 6-1 and 6-3 against Chance MARSTELLER (USA) at 79kg to secure his spot. He will look to change the colour of his medal that he won in his debut World Championships last year.

Veteran James GREEN (USA) will represent the U.S. at 74kg after he defeated David CARR (USA), two bouts to one. James won the first bout 6-3 before Carr levelled it with a 6-5 win. But Green defeated Carr 4-1 to secure his spot.

At 70kg, former world champion Zain RETHERFORD (USA) will also return to the mega event after blanking Ridge LOVETT (USA), 2-1 and 8-2.

Wyatt HENDRICKSON (USA) will wrestle at 125kg after he defeated former world medalist Mason PARRIS (USA), 9-5 and 7-1.

World champion Trent HIDLAY (USA) had already secured his spot at 92kg spot last week with a series win over Michael MACCHIAVELLO (USA) as the series was rescheduled earlier due to Hidlay's wedding.

The 65kg selection between 2025 world bronze medalist Real WOODS (USA) and Bowen BASSETT (USA) has been delayed and will be contested at a date and location to be determined.

In a similar case, 2025 world bronze medalists Kennedy BLADES (USA) and Kylie WELKER (USA) requested and received medical delays for their match-ups against Isabella MIR (USA) at 68kg and Dymond GUILFORD (USA) at 76kg, respectively.