UWW

UWW Appoints Carlos Roy as Secretary General

Friday, January 21, 2022 - 11:05 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (January 21) -- United World Wrestling announced a significant change during a quarterly Bureau Meeting as Carlos ROY was appointed as the Secretary-General. The change is effective immediately.

The University of Lausanne graduate joined UWW in 2009. He worked closely with the previous Secretary-General on various aspects of the federation’s governance, with the responsibility of the board and Congress meetings, regulatory and institutional relations with member federations, as well as the coordination of the continental councils and the Commissions’ work.

"Carlos has served UWW with the utmost integrity and we congratulate him for the new role," Nenad LALOVIC, UWW President, said. "He has vast experience in governance, administration and international sports. I am confident that he will continue to help our sport grow with the new responsibility."

He was also in charge of the anti-doping program until UWW signed an agreement with the ITA in 2019 for the management of the anti-doping activities. He has been instrumental in organizing wrestling at the three Olympics -- London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

“I am honoured and grateful to the President and the Board for their confidence," Roy said. "I look forward to continuing the work of constant improvement of our sport and organization, together with my very talented colleagues."

Roy assumes the role after the resignation of Michel DUSSON who served UWW for over 35 years. His contribution to wrestling has been immense.

#WrestleBratislava

On 14th attempt, Prevolaraki wins historic European gold for Greece

Friday, April 11, 2025 - 22:47 By Vinay Siwach

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BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (April 11) -- Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) made her first trip to the European Championships in 2011 when she was 19 years old. She competed in 14 European Championships and returned home with eight medals -- four silvers and four bronzes -- over the last 13 years.

Now 33 and competing at her 14th European Championships, Prevolaraki won her first gold medal with a thrilling win over Andreea ANA (ROU), ending a 24-year wait for Greece to have a champion in Women's Wrestling at the continental event. Former world champion Sofia POUMPOURIDOU (GRE) was the last and only other European champion for Greece in Women's Wrestling.

"I am very happy that I managed to earn the gold medal," Prevolaraki said. "I was waiting so many years to be the European champion and I am 33 years old but I managed to do it."

Over the years, Prevolaraki has lost four finals, all to different opponents. But Friday, she managed to keep her composure in a close bout for the win.

"This time I am more experienced and I did not feel any pressure," she said.  I played freely and good things happen when you have no pressure."

Wrestling in Bratislava in the 53kg weight class, Prevolaraki was hit with passivity first and put on the 30-second clock which expired without Prevolaraki scoring to give Ana 1-0 lead.

Ana extended her lead to 3-0 when Prevolaraki tried to hit a cut-back but was unsuccessful in the move. With more than two minutes remaining, Ana tried defending her 3-0 lead but was put on the activity clock when 1:10 were left.

During the 30-second period, Prevolaraki went for the leg-attack but Ana moved and tried getting behind Prevolaraki which she almost did and tried throwing the Greek with a cradle. But Prevolaraki was alerted and did not land in danger and scored a takedown. The activity clock against Ana expired which added another point for Prevolaraki, making the score 3-3 with the Greece wrestler leading on criteria of last point scored.

Romania decided to challenge, a strategic one. Even a lost challenge would need Ana to score a point to win from 4-3 with Prevolaraki lead and 3-3 with criteria to Prevolaraki.

On review, Romania lost the challenge and Prevolaraki led 4-3. Ana hit a sweep single and tried forcing Prevolaraki out of bounds but the Greece wrestler turned it around to get Ana's head out first and get another point to lead 5-3 which she defended and won the gold medal.

Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE)Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) at the medal ceremony of the European Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

"I think I have had a good career," she said. "I am sad that I don't have an Olympic medal but I have many European medals and world Championships medals."

Prevolaraki, a four-time Olympian, a rare feat in wrestling, paid tribute to three-time Olympic champion Buvaisar SAITIEV, by wearing a shirt with his photo and message. Saitiev had passed away in March at the age of 49 years.

"The legend [Saitiev] is for all wrestler all over the world and his legend has no bounds. I wanted to pay a tribute to this legend," she said.