#WrestleAmman

UWW President meets King of Jordan Abdullah II

Sunday, August 13, 2023 - 18:20 By United World Wrestling Press

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AMMAN, Jordan (August 13) -- United World Wrestling President Nenad LALOVIC met King Abdullah II of Jordan on Sunday in Amman, the host of the 2023 U20 World Championships from August 14 to 20.

Lalovic HM King Abdullah with United World Wrestling's highest decoration in recognition of his efforts in supporting sports and his belief in its role in strengthening solidarity and friendship among nations.

Jordan has played a significant role in promoting wrestling in the region by hosting world and continental championships, development camps and refugee camps.

"The feedback about the organization by Jordan has been fantastic," Lalovic said. "We are amazed by the hospitality of everyone starting with His Majesty King Abdullah, the Ministry of Sports, the National Olympic Committee and the wrestling federation. It's a major event for Jordan."

Lalovic, along with President of the Jordan Wrestling Federation Mohammed AL-AWAMLEH and the Deputy President of the federation Abdullah QUTAISHAT (JOR), attended the pre-event press conference and wished the participants luck for the tournament.

"We know that the national federation is skilled in the organization of this competition," Lalovic said. "We organized a refugee camp in Jordan five years ago. Since, we have realized that Jordan is an extremely reliable partner. We do believe that Jordan and neighboring countries are interested in combat sport and Jordan is the flagbearer."

Al-Awamleh welcomed Lalovic, confirming that Jordan will exert all its efforts to ensure the success of the championship.

"We look forward to a historic hosting of the most significant event in the history of Jordanian wrestling, and we hope that this event will mark a new beginning for the sport in Jordan," Al-Awamleh said. "Hosting an event of this magnitude is not an easy task, but the confidence of United World Wrestling, especially after Jordan organized the U15 and U20 Asian Championship, has helped."

Development

More Than Medals Americas wraps up in Rio de Janeiro

Tuesday, July 8, 2025 - 14:07 By United World Wrestling Press

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RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (July 8) — With young athletes at the center of United World Wrestling’s development strategy, the 2025 edition of *More Than Medals Americas* was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from June 23rd to 29th, following the U17 Pan-American Championships.

Over the course of seven days, 46 wrestlers and 10 coaches from 11 countries came together for a full program of training sessions, educational workshops, cultural excursions, and recreational activities making this a comprehensive experience beyond the mat.

Held at the state-of-the-art facilities of CEFAN (Centro de Educação Física Almirante Adalberto Nunes), the camp kicked off with a vibrant opening ceremony, attended by Brazilian Wrestling Federation President Flavio Cabral and UWW Education Director Zach Erret. The schedule included three daily meals, on-site accommodation, and seamless logistics that contributed to the event's success.

Among the educational highlights were sessions on safe sport, mental health, injury prevention, and anti-doping each delivered by expert facilitators in a format designed to foster active participation from the athletes. These workshops aimed to equip young wrestlers not only with athletic tools but with life skills as well.

The technical sessions were held on four official mats, strength training, and physical conditioning. Coaches collaborated in a joint planning meeting to create an integrated training environment, where athletes learned from each other’s styles and backgrounds.

Outside the gym, participants explored the iconic city of Rio de Janeiro. They visited Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer, and the historic Maracanã Stadium. An ecological outing to Copacabana Beach was also part of the program, emphasizing environmental awareness—even if a planned cleanup was rendered unnecessary thanks to local conservation efforts.

This edition of *More Than Medals* once again demonstrated the transformative power of sport. Participants described the experience as “great,” and organizers emphasized that the success of the program lies in its ability to holistically nurture the next generation of wrestlers not just as athletes, but as global citizens.