#UWWLIVE

UWW LIVE: Netherlands' First European Finalist Jessica Blaszka

By United World Wrestling Press

Jessica BLASZKA (NED) is the most successful Dutch women's wrestler ever. 

In 2015, Blaszka earned a bronze medal at the World Championships competing at 48kg and became the first Dutch women's wrestler to qualify for the Olympics. 

She claimed her first medal (bronze) at the European Championships in 2019, and this past February broke through to reach the gold-medal match at the 2020 European Championships at 53kg, before falling to two-time world champion Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (BLR). 

Blaszka joined Eric Olanowski to talk about her history-making silver medal performance in Rome, training in @japanwrestling, and her potential path to qualifying for the #Tokyo202ONE Olympics.
 

#development

Buenos Aires hosts 2022 More Than Medals camp

By United World Wrestling Press

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (July 8) -- Aligned with the UWW strategy that focuses on youth development, 2022 More Than Medals Buenos Aires U20 was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from June 27 to July 3.

For seven days, 50 wrestlers and coaches from 10 countries took part in the camp, allowing young athletes to exchange experiences and create good memories.

Three gold medalists, seven silver medalists, and eleven bronze medalists from the U17 Pan-American Championships participate in this camp.

An anti-doping seminar was also conducted by Silvina Valoppi from the national anti-doping agency. The seminar was centered on general anti-doping rules, the rights & responsibilities of athletes & coaches (rules for minors and adults), testing procedures, clean sports values, and ethics.

The training sessions were dictated by each national coach, giving a chance to wrestlers to experience other countries' training styles and learn new ways.

ARGMore Than Medals participants share a laugh during a training session at the camp in Argentina. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Agustin DESTRIBATS (ARG) and Patricia BERMUDEZ (ARG) joined the camp as ambassadors and shared their techniques and experience with the youngsters and encouraged them to pursue their dreams in wrestling.

A fun activity day was organized with the support of the Argentina Wrestling Federation with sightseeing in the traditional Buenos Aires neighborhood Caminito, in La Boca, and also the traditional emblem of the city El Obelisco.

This camp once again marked the success of the continued More than Medals program that United World Wrestling has been offering to young athletes since 2017.