#WrestleBelgrade

UWW Holds Congress, Outlines Five-Year Strategic Plan

Sunday, October 31, 2021 - 13:47 By United World Wrestling Press

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BELGRADE, Serbia (October 31) -- After a 12-month delay, the United World Wrestling held its congress Sunday, on the eve of the U23 World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.

The congress was originally scheduled to be held in 2020 at the Junior World Championships in Tallin, Estonia but was postponed as the world battled the COVID-19 pandemic.

President of United World Wrestling Nenad LALOVIC addressed the gathering which had representation from 89 nations.

“We will continue to work together in key areas and a united effort will take us forward,” Lalovic said. “We have identified five areas where we will make a concerted and focused effort over the next five years.”

The congress discussed the improvement of the sport via youth engagement, women's wrestling, associated styles, the image of wrestling and digital transformation.

Vanjan UDOVICVICMinister of Youth and Sports of Serbia Vanja UDOVICVIC addressing the congress in Belgrade.

The Minister of Youth and Sports of Serbia Vanja UDOVICVIC was also present at the congress and said that it was an honor to be present at the congress.

“Wrestling is important and is far ahead in comparison to other sports,” Udovicvic said at the congress. “At the Olympics, wrestling showed that they can be an example in organizing, marketing and online media.

“Other federations are looking towards you how they can achieve such results."

The congress also held the election of the UWW president and the bureau members along with the strategic plan for the next five years.

Six bureau members were elected during the congress and the calendar for the year 2022 was also proposed.

Lalovic said that the sport has its origin back in history and we need to respect the origins of the sport and develop the associated styles.

Amendments to the constitution, approval of the affiliation of the two nations – Cape Verde and Kuwait – were approved. In addition, reports from the Referee's and Associated Styles Commission were also presented at the congress.

The congress emphasized that to continue on their goal to be self-reliant they need an overall growth with more sponsors, engagement and take wrestling to regional and local levels.

Details of the congress are available at uww.org.

#WrestleBudapest

Ranking Series: Tazhudinov Shows No Rust on His Way to Gold

Thursday, July 17, 2025 - 21:32 By Vinay Siwach

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BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 17) --  Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) gave an early preview to what to expect from him at the World Championships in September.

The Paris Olympic champion won the gold medal in the 97kg weight class at the Budapest Ranking Series, outscoring his opponents 44-2 in four bouts and never appearing in trouble on the mat.

"I feel very good," Tazhudinov said. "I'm very happy to be back on the mat. It’s been almost a year I haven’t been competing  and it’s such a pleasure for us when you come back and win a gold medal."

The final Ranking Series event of the season kicked off in Budapest on Thursday with several familiar names winning gold medals. Asian champion Takara SUDA (JPN), world silver medalist Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN), world U20 champion Luke LILLEDAHL (USA) and SUJEET (IND) were among the gold medalists on day one.

But none were as dominant as Tazhudinov.

The Bahrain star returned to competition for the first time since Paris Olympics competing last week in Madrid, where he won gold at the Grand Prix of Spain. In Budapest, he followed it up with another flawless run, claiming his second gold medal in as many weeks.

"Overall I’m satisfied with my performance. I would say I’m not yet in full form, so I’m pleased with how I did. I’ll reach 100% form by the World Championships," he said.

Wrestling in just his third career Ranking Series, Tazhudinov capped the day with an 11-0 technical superiority win over veteran Zbigniew BARANOWSKI (POL) in the final.

He opened the tournament with a 14-2 win over Adlan VISKHANOV (FRA), who clearly looked smaller for the weight class and had trouble matching Tazhudinov in every aspect of the game.

Tazhudinov hit a big double-leg attack for four points but Viskhanov got two points for exposure. But that was only opening Tazhudinov allowed for the rest of the bout. Viskhanov tried a few leg attacks but Tazhudinov scored a takedown and two turns to be up 10-2 before an arm-bar attempt turned into takedown for his win.

In the quarterfinals, Tazhudinov needed just one minute to defeat Aliaksandr HUSHTYN (UWW). In the semifinals, he dispatched Merab SULEIMANISHVILI (GEO) in 1:48, winning 10-0.

Despite the dominant performance in Budapest, Tazhudinov admitted the World Championships would present a tougher challenge. He’s expected to defend his 97kg world title in Zagreb.

"We’ll have two training camps leading up to the World Championships, and I think after those camps I’ll be fully ready," he said. "There will be very strong, tough opponents. So I’ll prepare thoroughly and focus on performing even better."