#WrestleParis

UWW Statement: Lalovic meets IOA President, WFI in Paris

Wednesday, August 7, 2024 - 17:37 By United World Wrestling Press

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PARIS (August 7) -- United World Wrestling President Nenad LALOVIC met with Wrestling Federation of India President Sanjay SINGH and Indian Olympic Association PT USHA in the wake of Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) disqualification from the 50kg competition after the wrestler failed the weigh-ins on the second day of her competition in Paris Olympics.

During the meeting at the Wrestling House in Paris, Lalovic said that strict rules for weigh-in on competition days were drawn up keeping the wrestlers’ long-term health in view. The rules dissuade athletes from competing in lower weight categories with weight loss methods that could impact their health in the long term.

On IOA’s suggestion that a wrestler's results from the day on which the athlete met the weigh-in requirements should not be disqualified, the UWW President was sympathetic. UWW will also discuss the suggestion at an appropriate platform but it could not be done retrospectively.

IOAUWWUWW President Nenad LALOVIC with IOA and WFI delegations at the Wrestling House in Paris.

Usha thanked Lalovic for taking in the Wrestling Federation of India’s appeal and giving her a patient hearing. She said as an athlete herself she understood the importance of the need for rules to be drawn up to protect athletes from taking health risks. She also said it was important for all athletes to uphold Olympic values and fair play.

UWW follows the set rules in all competitions including the Games. Its decision to disqualify Vinesh is in line with the rules of international wrestling, like all other instances of wrestlers failing to weigh in on the day of the competition.

UWW wishes Vinesh a speedy recovery and hopes Vinesh can continue to perform in the inspiring way she did in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

#Grappling

Grappling in 2024: Asian Championships in Philippines, Great Britain's first gold

Tuesday, December 10, 2024 - 08:32 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (December 10) -- Tagaytay, Baku and Astana were the three cities that saw major Grappling action in 2024. The Asian Championships were in the Philippines, the European Championships in Azerbaijan and it all came down to Kazakhstan for the World Championships.

Grappling also lost an important figure in 2024, as United World Wrestling World Grappling Committee President Rizvan BOCHKEV passed away in May at the age of 59.

In a historic year, Grappling hosted its second Asian Championships in Tagaytay, with six countries participating. The tournament was held in May, and 222 competitors participated in various age groups. Grappling powerhouse Kazakhstan dominated the tournament, winning the senior and U20 team titles, but hosts the Philippines displayed great skills and won the U17 titles. India, Singapore, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan were the other participating nations.

The European Grappling Championships were held in Baku, and 405 participants in various age groups participated. Poland outplayed others and emerged as the best team in most of the categories. Only Ukraine was able to stop Poland in some age groups, and Ukraine claimed team titles at the U17 and U20 levels.

The big event was the World Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan in September. While there were moments of brilliance from Kazakhstan, Poland and the Individual Neutral Athletes, Elizabeth GENGE (GBR) stole the show with her double gold, the first-ever for Great Britain; the country had not participated in the World Grappling Championships for the last 16 years.

Participating in her first Grappling World Championships, the 20-year-old Genge won all her bouts in two competitions via submission. Only Veronika KARAKHONOVA (AIN) could hold Genge to a decision victory. Genge is the British champion in wrestling and has participated in the Faltz Open as well, finishing fifth this year.

Another star attraction at the World Grappling Championships was Kendall REUSING (USA) who won the Grappling gold in 90kg. The Jiu-Jitsu black belt world champion won all her bouts via submission.

Overall, the Individual Neutral Athletes dominated the competition. They were so good that they won six out of the nine gold medals in the men's grappling. But in teams, Poland emerged as the best as it won the women's team gold in Women's Grappling Gi and the title in Men's Grappling. However, the United States clinched its first-ever team title as it won the gold in Women's Grappling. Kazakhstan was the best team in Men's Grappling Gi.