#UWWAcademy

UWW Academy Releases '22 Rule Modifications Breakdown Videos

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (March 15) – UWW Academy, the official educational learning platform for coaches, referees and athletes, released a new course on the 2022 Rule Modifications. The Referee Commission has created a new online course over this year's rule modifications.  This course will focus on the changes that occurred in the articles.

Rule Modifications:
Article 27 – Interrupting the Bout
Article 32 – Challenge
Article 45 – Par Terre Position during the Bout
Article 47 – Enforcement of Passivity & Activity Time in U15, U17, Veterans
Article 49 – Fleeing the Hold
Article 50 – Fleeing the Mat

The short videos covering each of the articles along with video examples from matches can be found on the Academy platform at https://academy.uww.org. At the end of the course, there will be a short assessment to check for understanding of the new modifications.

Obituary

Habibi, Iran's first Olympic champion, dies aged 94

By United World Wrestling Press

TEHRAN, Iran (August 24) -- Emamali HABIBI (IRI), Iran's first-ever Olympic gold medalist and United World Wrestling Hall of Fame member, passed away Sunday aged 94.

Habibi was born Babol in 1931 and won the first Olympic gold medal for Iran in 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. Facing Alimbeg BESTAEV in the final round to decide the gold medalist, Habibi secured a fall in the 67kg final and etched his name in history, became first Olympic champion for Iran.

It was a rare feat in those times as he had never wrestled at an international event before the Olympics. He would make his World Championships debut in 1959, winning gold medal at 73kg. He defended his title in 1961 and added a third gold medal in 1962 at 78kg.

Emamali HABIBI (IRI)Emamali HABIBI (IRI) with his World Championships gold medal.

He participated in the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome at 73kg and finished fourth. Habibi also has a gold medal at the 1958 Asian Games, held in Tokyo, Japan.

Habibi's legacy also includes his diverse wrestling techniques and speed on the mat which allowed him to win bouts with domination. He is widely considered one of the greatest freestyle wrestlers of his times. He was included in the UWW Hall of Fame in 2007 for his contribution to wrestling.

UWW offers its condolences to Iran Wrestling Federation and the Habibi family.