Development

United World Wrestling Americas Delivers NF Workshop

By Tim Foley

LIMA (May 16) – The Development department of United World Wrestling this month organized a successful National Federation Workshop prior to the  Senior Pan American Championship in Lima, Peru.

Representatives from 17 countries from every corner of the American continent participated in the Workshop, which took the aim to improve the communication between the National Federations and show them how to take advantage of all the support available to develop the Olympic Wrestling in their countries.

"This is a great start for the people like me,” Jesus Salazar from Mexico said. “As as a volunteer, I work very hard for the NF and this information is vital to our organizational success."

Certificates were granted to all the participants.

The objective of this workshop is to give guidance to all the Pan-American NFs in a variety of tasks including: use of official email and operation of Microsoft 365; use of Athena to buy licenses and register for events; and the UWW websites; locate and sign-up for Olympic Solidarity and promotion of Olympic Values; prepare a strategic plan; and remind about general information such as the upcoming Youth Olympic Games, hosting requirements and the 2018/2019 calendar.

"We are really thankful with the UWW for organizing this activity, the support and training do not have to be only for athletes, referees and coaches,” said Carlos Ñancuvil from Chile. “It is mandatory for every NF to train and also educate the administration for the fully developing of wrestling. "

#BeachWrestling, #BeachWrestlingWorldSeries

With Dakar 2026 Approaching, UWW Ramps Up Beach Wrestling in Africa

By Vinay Siwach

CASABLANCA, Morocco (July 25) -- With Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games less than 500 days away, United World Wrestling is committed to reinforcing wrestling's presence on the African continent.

As a result, for the first time an African city will host the Beach Wrestling World Series. Casablanca, Morocco will see the third leg of the Beach Wrestling World Series from September 6-7, 2025, at the picturesque Ain Diab beach.

There is more in store for Africa. The final of the Beach Wrestling World Series will be held in Alexandria, Egypt on October 18 and 19, 2025.

UWW is calling for participants. REGISTER HERE!

The World Series participants will be provided with top-class facilities including five-star hotel boarding, food in hotels and transportation to the competition venue. The conditions will therefore be exceptional for a Beach Wrestling event.

Prior to the World Series, the African Championships in U15, U17 and U20 age-groups will also be held in the same venue on September 4 and 5. All wrestlers who are 18 years or older from the African Championships can take part in the World Series as well.

This is not the first time UWW has stepped up its commitment to Beach Wrestling. Along with UWW Africa, UWW provided technical assistance to African wrestlers last year and has now decided to continue that for the U15 and U17 groups.

UWW reminds all countries that the participation in these tournaments is important as the same wrestlers can be considered with priority for the Youth Olympic Games while allotting the decided quotas for Dakar 2026.

UWW's vision is to develop the younger groups who will be part of the Youth Olympics in Dakar. And it was a step in that direction to start U15 competitions in Beach Wrestling from 2025.

Irina RINGACI (MDA)World champion Irina RINGACI (MDA) competes in Beach Wrestling in Porec, Croatia. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

One of the outcomes of its continued efforts was the participation numbers in the U17 Pan-Am Beach Wrestling Championships in Rio de Janeiro and the U17 Asian Beach Wrestling Championships in Vietnam this year.

The local organizing committee in Rio had to add one more ring to accommodate the participants during the event. At the Asian Championships, India, China, Chinese Taipei, Vietnam and other nations participated with full teams.

Similarly, the wrestlers are encouraged to participate in the U17 and U20 World Beach Wrestling Championships in Katerini-Pieria, Greece on October 25 and 26.

Check out beachwrestling.org for all Beach Wrestling News!

UWW's decisions underscore its deep commitment to uplifting and expanding the sport of wrestling across Africa, particularly with the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar on the horizon.

For any queries, wrestlers, NFs or organizers can contact -- sports@uww.org.