Grappling

Strategy is Key for USA Grappling's Morgan

Wednesday, September 5, 2018 - 17:56 By Marc Berman

Share this article
Morgan (USA) ready for 2018 World Championships

ASTANA, Kazakhstan (September 6th) --  John MORGAN (USA) was only 9 years old when he started traveling the world to compete in speed chess tournaments. He learned to think quick, problem solve and prepare strategically from his chess experience.

For Morgan, who will be representing Team USA at 71kg, Grappling is no different than those early days of chess. He’s forced to make decisions quickly, accessing a database of grappling knowledge while under duress. In his hunt for a world title at this week’s Grappling World Championships Morgan says he’s ready to utilize experiences in chess, folkstyle wrestling, and even surfing if it helps him capture gold.

“Running, surfing, stance motion drills, working defense from the feet, using the labels for reversals and whatever else. I am always focusing on how to integrate it all in a strategy to win against any type of opponent.”

Grappling presents a number of challenges: understanding how to successfully navigate the transitions from top to bottom, takedowns and the groundwork, leglocks and different opponents. It’s a new game for many competitors, but one Morgan says he’s tailored to his training in preparation for the world championships.

“Strategy is everything,” says Morgan. “The inner moment of realizing your not good at something sucks but, you have to go through it to get to the next level.”

Catch Morgan and the rest of Team USA this week on Flograppling.com in the United States and internationally on United World Wrestling.

 

#UnitedWorldWrestling

UWW receives applications for UWW Athletes Commission election

Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - 12:34 By United World Wrestling Press

Share this article

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (July 23) -- The United World Wrestling Athletes' Commission will bear a new look come September.

After the July 15 deadline to submit applications for candidates, 14 wrestlers have sent their applications to be elected to the Commission. The election for the same will be held during the September World Championships in Zagreb.

Nine members, including minimum three women members, will be elected to the Athletes' Commission by secret ballot by the athletes participating in the World Championships.

The winning wrestlers will elect the Commission's chairman, who will have a seat on the UWW Bureau for the next four years, and a right to vote at the Congress.

After the careful reviewing of the applications by an ad-hoc Nomination Commission to ensure compliance with the eligibility criteria outlined in the original call for candidates, 14 wrestlers were deemed eligible for the election.

The criteria included competitive activity in the past six years, good standing of their national federation, absence of disciplinary sanctions, and a demonstrated commitment to athletes' rights, among others.

The candidates listed below have been confirmed as eligible:

Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM)
Abdellatif Mohamed AHMED (EGY)
Nicolaas DE LANGE (RSA)
Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL)
Arsen JULFALAKYAN (ARG)
Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR)
Tamas LORINCZ (HUN)
Jessica LAVERS-MCBAIN (AUS)
Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE)
Yui SUSAKI (JPN)
Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ)
Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ)
Anthony WESLEY (CPV)
Hassan YAZDANI (IRI)

It is expected from the members of this commission to actively participate in the work of this commission, to be the voice of the athletes within UWW and to represent and promote the wrestlers and wrestling around the world.

Each Continent must be represented in this commission, and one of the continental members will represent the commission in the Executive Committee of the concerned Continental Council.