#development

UWW level 1 Coaching Course: Georgia Launches the Foundations of Women's Wrestling

By United World Wrestling Press

BORJOMI, Georgia (December 9) --- Thanks to the support of Olympic solidarity via the Georgian National Olympic Committee, the Georgian Wrestling Federation hosted United World Wrestling's Level 1 coaching course for women's wrestling from November 11-14. The coaching course took place at the Borjomi Olympic Centre and was delivered by two UWW educators, Vincent AKA and Edisher MACHIDZE.

This coaching course follows various programs already launched by the Georgia Wrestling Federation to support women's wrestling. It's aimed to change the mentality of wrestling coaches regarding women's wrestling. The training course has already brought a new approach to the practice of women's wrestling.
 

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After the course, at the closing ceremony, all the participants received a United World Wrestling coach certificate of participation Level 1. 

After the end of the training, Coach NINA SERGO said, "Of course I am a Greco Roman wrestling trainer, but now I could better apprehend the arrival of a girl in my club." He is already ready to welcome them, which is a big step! 


During the training, 15 male coaches and one female coach took part, the specificity of women's wrestling was discussed/ In this case, how we train women. UWW Level 1 training standards were discussed while emphasizing safety, the playful approach to wrestling, first aid and injury prevention. 

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The refereeing modules closed the training where coaches were put in refereeing situations. This has helped some coaches realize that refereeing is not as easy as it seems. 
  
Exceptionally, when Samkhardze Tamuna became the first UWW Level 1 woman coach in a country where the practice of women's wrestling is primarily reserved for men. The Chairman of the Georgian National Olympic Committee, following discussions with the United World Wrestling Development Officer, gave his full support for the development of women's wrestling in Georgia.

#WrestleSamokov

Japan defends U20 Worlds women's team title

By Vinay Siwach

SAMOKOV, Bulgaria (August 22) -- Japan defended its Women's Wrestling team title at the World U20 Championships in Samokov, Bulgaria with two more gold medals on Friday.

The Women's Wrestling competition came to a close in Bulgaria with three weight classes, 50kg, 53kg and 72kg, and Japan won the first two gold medals while India won 72kg. India finished second in the team race with 140 points, 25 less than Japan which had 165 points.

Rinka OGAWA (JPN) won the 50kg gold medal with 9-3 win over three-time age-group world medalist Audrey JIMINEZ (USA) in the final. Ogawa gave up the first takedown but she hit a single-leg and turn to lead 4-2 at the break.

The second period was more scrappy but Ogawa gave up just a reversal while four points to win 8-3. The United States challenged at the end of match but there was no points for Jiminez and one more point to Ogawa's score for the lost challenge.

This was Jiminez's third loss to a Japanese wrestler in finals of World Championships. She lost to Umi ITO (JPN) in the World U20 and U23 finals in 2022 and 2023 respectively. Her one other loss came to Yanrong LI (USA) in 2023 at the World U20 Championships. She will now look to change her fortunes at the senior World Championships in Zagreb next month.

Japan's second gold cane with Natsumi MASUDA (JPN) who defeated European U20 champion Anastasiia POLSKA (UKR) in controlled 6-0 final. She scored three takedowns in six minutes for the win and earn herself the gold medal.

At 72kg, world U17 silver medalist last month, KAJAL (IND) managed to survive a fall attempt and a threating Yuqi LIU (CHN) in the final and win her first world U20 title to go with her world U17 gold from 2024.

Kajal used snapdowns to pressure Liu and score three takedowns and lead 6-0 but as the match progressed Liu hit a leg-attack and scored a takedown, and cradle Kajal who barely managed to get out off the lock and keep the 6-4 lead.

Both traded a takedown each in the remainder of the bout but Kajal held on for an 8-6 lead and win the gold medal.

RESULTS

50kg
GOLD: Rinka OGAWA (JPN) df. Audrey JIMENEZ (USA), 9-3

BRONZE: SHRUTI (IND) df. Josephine WRENSCH (GER), 6-0
BRONZE: Na HU (CHN) df. Diana RYSOVA (UKR), 7-5

53kg
GOLD: Natsumi MASUDA (JPN) df. Anastasiia POLSKA (UKR), 6-0

BRONZE: SAARIKA (IND) df. Ilona VALCHUK (POL), 11-0
BRONZE: Kseniya KOSTSENICH (UWW) df. Abigale COOPER (USA), 11-10

72kg
GOLD: KAJAL (IND) df. Yuqi LIU (CHN), 8-6

BRONZE: Kristina BRATCHIKOVA (UWW) df. Haticenur SARI (TUR), 17-12
BRONZE: Kaiyrkul SHARSHEBAEVA (KGZ) vs. Jasmine ROBINSON (USA), via inj. def.