#development

UWW and Inspire Institute of Sport sign MoU to advance wrestling development in India

By United World Wrestling Press

PARIS (August 27) -- United World Wrestling (UWW) and the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The MoU was signed at the Wrestling House, UWW's hospitality venue, located on a boat next to the iconic Eiffel Tower.

This strategic partnership is designed to foster collaboration and enhance the development of wrestling in India by establishing a framework for mutually beneficial programs, projects, and activities. The MoU reflects the commitment of both UWW and IIS to support elite and pre-elite wrestling athletes, as well as suitably qualified coaches in India.

IIS, a charitable trust dedicated to social development through sports, education, and health, operates a state-of-the-art high-performance training center in Vijayanagar, Karnataka. The facility meets international standards and is focused on promoting Olympic sports in India, providing young talents with the resources and training necessary to succeed.

The institute is prominent in developing wrestling, among other sports, in India. Olympic bronze medalists Bajrang PUNIA (IND) and Sakshi MALIK (IND) have been associated with it in past. Recently, IIS trainees World Championships bronze medalist ANTIM (IND) and Nisha DAHIYA (IND) wrestled at the Paris Olympics.

Nikhil PILANAGOILA (IND)Nikhil PILANAGOILA (IND), left, will compete at the U20 World Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

At the age-group level, IIS has supported U20 Asian Championships gold medalists Dhanshri FAND (IND) and NITIKA (IND). Former U20 World Championships medalist HARSHITA (IND), U17 world medalist Jaskaran SINGH (IND), U23 Asian champion RADHIKA (IND) and Nikhil YADAV (IND), who will participate in the upcoming U20 World Championships in Spain are all out of the IIS stable.

UWW's involvement in this partnership is part of its broader strategic global development plan, which aims to elevate the sport of wrestling worldwide, with a particular focus on supporting the growth of wrestling in India.

Both UWW and IIS are eager to begin this collaborative journey, confident that their joint efforts will contribute significantly to the success and international recognition of Indian wrestling. Their joint efforts will contribute significantly to the success and international recognition of Indian wrestling.

#development

Lithuanian Wrestling Federation conducts referee training before the Druskininkai Cup

By United World Wrestling Press

DRUSKININKAI, Lithuania (June 26) --- The Lithuanian Wrestling Federation conducted a Referee Training Course from June 15-18 in conjunction with the Druskininkai Cup. The course had 13 participants and was led by Karol LEBOWSKI (POL), UWW Referee Educator.

The first two days of the course were theoretical and focused on discussing the rules of wrestling and interpreting the evaluation of technical actions by analyzing Lithuanian wrestlers during championship competitions. The final two days of the course were the practical sessions. The referees had a chance to work the competition and directly apply their skills. They focused on working as a mat chairman and with the referee team. During those sessions, they were provided feedback and improvement by Mr. Lebkowski. “The course was very popular among the participants. During the course, they asked many questions, to which we searched for answers together by analyzing the regulations,” said Mr. Lebkowski.

The participants in the course also share their appreciation of the course. Many stated that they liked the practical part carried out on the mat the most. They had never before met with a practical discussion of the referee's movement on the mat and the cooperation between the referees. They were very satisfied with the training conducted.