UWW

UWW Appoints Carlos Roy as Secretary General

By United World Wrestling Press

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.

#development

2024 Southeast Asian Championship & Oceania Invitational (REDT): A New Era of Regional Collaboration in Wrestling

By United World Wrestling Press

CHIANGMAI, Thailand (9 October, 2024) - The 2024 Southeast Asian Championship & Oceania Invitational was a Regional Educational Development tournament (REDT), held from September 25-29 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, marked a historic moment for the sport of wrestling in the region. This event was the first in over nine years to include Oceania teams, a significant milestone that highlighted the potential for collaboration and growth between Southeast Asia and Oceania.

A total of 13 countries participated, with Southeast Asia represented by Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, and Oceania by American Samoa, Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, and Tonga. Over the five days, 284 athletes competed across three wrestling styles—Freestyle, Greco-Roman, and Women’s Wrestling—within the U15, U17, and senior age groups.

The feedback from participating teams was overwhelmingly positive. For both Southeast Asia and Oceania, the championship provided a valuable opportunity for athletes to gain crucial international exposure while competing against teams of a similar skill level. This event acted as a development springboard, allowing the athletes to refine their skills and measure their progress in a competitive yet supportive environment.

The enthusiasm from Oceania teams was particularly notable, with several expressing their strong desire to be invited back in future editions. Many teams have already committed to increasing their participation in the next event, and there is significant interest from additional Oceania nations should this tournament become a regular fixture on the calendar.

SEAWrestlers jocky for position at the 2024 Southeast Asian Championship & Oceania Invitational was a Regional Educational Development tournament (REDT). (Photo: United World Wrestling)

As we look to the future, the success of the Southeast Asian Championship & Oceania Invitational underscores the importance of fostering regional cooperation. The event has laid the foundation for further development in both regions and holds immense potential to become a cornerstone for wrestling in Southeast Asia and Oceania.

The 2024 edition was not just a competition but a powerful demonstration of unity, skill, and the collective ambition to elevate wrestling in these developing regions. The positive outcomes have set the stage for ongoing collaboration, and the prospect of even greater participation in future years is a testament to the event's success.

We look forward to welcoming even more nations and athletes as we continue to grow the sport of wrestling in Southeast Asia and Oceania.