COVID-19

Stars of the Mat Encourage Wrestling Community to "Stay Strong, Stay at Home"

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (April 7) -- The stars of United World Wrestling took to social media in massive numbers this week to encourage fellow wrestlers and their fans to "Stay Strong and Stay at Home!"

More than 70 of the world's most successful wrestlers, including Olympic champions Jordan BURROUGHS (USA), Hassan YAZDANICHARATI (IRI), Saori YOSHIDA (JPN), and Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) sent in their messages to United World Wrestling, who has shared their video via Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

"We have seen an outpouring of support from our stars," said United World Wrestling president Nenad Lalovic. "I'm very humbled to know that we have such strong and responsive leadership from our athletes. They are the core of who we are and I'm encouraged by their passion to help in this difficult time."

Lalovic also shared a short video message of his own asking the community to understand that "courage today means wisdom and responsibility" and that we will all get through this soon.

Offline, the wrestling community has also included several athletes who've been on the front lines fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. In Iran, Olympic champions Rasoul KHADEM and Komeil GHASEMI helped deliver medical equipment to highly affected areas of their home nation, while several doctors associated with the sport have been supporting their city's responses. 

Development

India Continues to Deepen Development of Coaches

By United World Wrestling Press

NEW DELHI, India (April 15) -- The Wrestling Federation of India organized a Level 1 Coaching Course late last year. The course was led by UWW Certified Educator Ahmed KHEDHRI (TUN).

During the four days of training, the 45 participants implemented an integrated framework combining theoretical instruction and practical application, with the aim of developing participants’ coaching competencies.

The theoretical component addressed a comprehensive range of topics, including risk assessment and safety management, discovery-based learning, communication and coaching methods, effective strategies for teaching new techniques, and the roles and responsibilities of the coach.

The practical component included performance assessments and field-based training sessions designed to reinforce the knowledge acquired and apply it within realistic training environments, ensuring effective integration between theoretical understanding and practical execution.

“The participants demonstrated a consistently high level of engagement and professional commitment throughout the course," said Khedhri. "Their active involvement, openness to correcting existing concepts and acquiring new knowledge, as well as constructive exchanges of experience, contributed significantly to enhancing the learning process."

IND
Coaches at the Level 1 Coaching Course go through on the mat training in Delhi. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Comments from the participants:

“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to attend the UWW Level 1 Coaches Course,2025 at Najafgarh Stadium, Delhi. It was an enriching classroom and practical learning experience.”

  • Kamal Sehrawat

“The wrestling coaching course was informative and practical. It provided valuable knowledge about wrestling techniques, rules, training methods, fitness, and injury prevention. The Educator was highly knowledgeable, supportive, and motivating, and explained each technique clearly. The practical sessions improved skills and confidence. Overall, the course was very useful and inspiring for better performance in the future.”

  • Rajender Kumar

“This program has truly enhanced my coaching knowledge and confidence. The scientific approach, practical sessions and valuable guidance from our instructors made this journey incredible. I feel inspired to implement these learnings with my athletes. Thank you to the entire teaching team and organizers for this wonderful opportunity.+

  • Indu Choudhary