Coaching Course

Ukraine Wrestling Federation Hosts Series of Education Activities for Coaches and Referees 

By United World Wrestling Press

KIEV, Ukraine (November 11) -- The long journey to open up wrestling education activities is underway in Ukraine, with the recent delivery of the United World Wrestling Technical Courses for Coaches Level 1 and Level 2 held last week in Kiev.

The courses, comprising an ‘Introduction to Refereeing’ module, were attended by 31 coaches and referees, including 5 female participants. The educational experience was organized for the national wrestling coaches and referees in the Koncha-Zaspa Olympic training center Ukraine from 17th to 28th of October. The courses were initiated by the Ukrainian Wrestling Association and supported by the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine. Additional funding was provide by Olympic Solidarity.

"We are excited to see these courses being delivered in such a responsible manner," said UWW Development Director Deqa Niamkey. "The success of this event in Kiev demonstrated that with the support of local federation and authorities, we are able to find solutions together and carry out our educational activities with appropriate precautions."
 

The courses were well received by the national coaches and referees. The federation appreciated the support of the NOC, the OS and UWW, and appraised the UWW coaches courses. "The content is very useful for our coaches, it helps update their knowledge and skills and brought new perspective into wrestling coaching," said Ukrainian Wrestling Federation representative Dina Kharenko.

"The method used in delivery of these courses was engaging and interactive. We look forward to hosting the UWW TCC Level 3 in the near future."

The coaches courses were centered on the ‘Coaching and Safety’, ‘Practice and Planning’, ‘Developing a Coaching Philosophy’ and a review of the UWW Code of Ethics. An UWW ‘Introduction to Refereeing’ module was also delivered with an aim to help further advancing coaches’ understanding of the wrestling rules from referees perspective. An ‘Athlete Career Transition’ session was also held during the week.

Those who completed the course received certifications from the United World Wrestling via the Ukrainian Wrestling Association and the Olympic Solidarity via the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine.

Sign up for free online courses at United World Wrestling Academy https://academy.unitedworldwrestling.org.

#WrestleSamokov

Japan defends U20 Worlds women's team title

By Vinay Siwach

SAMOKOV, Bulgaria (August 22) -- Japan defended its Women's Wrestling team title at the World U20 Championships in Samokov, Bulgaria with two more gold medals on Friday.

The Women's Wrestling competition came to a close in Bulgaria with three weight classes, 50kg, 53kg and 72kg, and Japan won the first two gold medals while India won 72kg. India finished second in the team race with 140 points, 25 less than Japan which had 165 points.

Rinka OGAWA (JPN) won the 50kg gold medal with 9-3 win over three-time age-group world medalist Audrey JIMINEZ (USA) in the final. Ogawa gave up the first takedown but she hit a single-leg and turn to lead 4-2 at the break.

The second period was more scrappy but Ogawa gave up just a reversal while four points to win 8-3. The United States challenged at the end of match but there was no points for Jiminez and one more point to Ogawa's score for the lost challenge.

This was Jiminez's third loss to a Japanese wrestler in finals of World Championships. She lost to Umi ITO (JPN) in the World U20 and U23 finals in 2022 and 2023 respectively. Her one other loss came to Yanrong LI (USA) in 2023 at the World U20 Championships. She will now look to change her fortunes at the senior World Championships in Zagreb next month.

Japan's second gold cane with Natsumi MASUDA (JPN) who defeated European U20 champion Anastasiia POLSKA (UKR) in controlled 6-0 final. She scored three takedowns in six minutes for the win and earn herself the gold medal.

At 72kg, world U17 silver medalist last month, KAJAL (IND) managed to survive a fall attempt and a threating Yuqi LIU (CHN) in the final and win her first world U20 title to go with her world U17 gold from 2024.

Kajal used snapdowns to pressure Liu and score three takedowns and lead 6-0 but as the match progressed Liu hit a leg-attack and scored a takedown, and cradle Kajal who barely managed to get out off the lock and keep the 6-4 lead.

Both traded a takedown each in the remainder of the bout but Kajal held on for an 8-6 lead and win the gold medal.

RESULTS

50kg
GOLD: Rinka OGAWA (JPN) df. Audrey JIMENEZ (USA), 9-3

BRONZE: SHRUTI (IND) df. Josephine WRENSCH (GER), 6-0
BRONZE: Na HU (CHN) df. Diana RYSOVA (UKR), 7-5

53kg
GOLD: Natsumi MASUDA (JPN) df. Anastasiia POLSKA (UKR), 6-0

BRONZE: SAARIKA (IND) df. Ilona VALCHUK (POL), 11-0
BRONZE: Kseniya KOSTSENICH (UWW) df. Abigale COOPER (USA), 11-10

72kg
GOLD: KAJAL (IND) df. Yuqi LIU (CHN), 8-6

BRONZE: Kristina BRATCHIKOVA (UWW) df. Haticenur SARI (TUR), 17-12
BRONZE: Kaiyrkul SHARSHEBAEVA (KGZ) vs. Jasmine ROBINSON (USA), via inj. def.