LOS ANGELES (June 13) – United World Wrestling on Saturday inked a multi-year deal with Suples Limited to become one of the federation’s global suppliers. The equipment company is most famous for developing the popular “Bulgarian Training Bag,” a piece of crescent-shaped exercise gear used in strength training programs worldwide.

The deal, which runs through 2018, also offers Suples and United World Wrestling the option to extend their partnership through 2020.

“Today is the beginning of what we hope will be a long-term partnership with Suples,” said United World Wrestling president Nenad Lalovic. “I’m also very proud to know that Suples is founded by a wrestler and excited to see how together we can help develop our sport around the world.”

“We are thrilled to have this recognition and to be granted an opportunity for partnership,” said Suples founder and president, Ivan Ivanov. “We now have a big responsibility to share our knowledge with coaches and educators and help to make our sport even better.”

Suples will provide equipment and their Suples Training System to nations around the world. The Suples Training System is a wrestling-specific program based on a philosophy of dynamic, sport-specific movements. Suples will also build on existing development strategies within United World Wrestling and consult with a variety of nations on how to improve their strength and conditioning programs for better on-the-mat results.

“We are confident that Ivan and his team of experts will add to our Development office’s ongoing work, and that all of our wrestlers - from grassroots to Olympic caliber – will enjoy healthy gains,” said Lalovic.