#development

World Academy of Sport (WAoS) and United World Wrestling Announce Partnership for ’22 Programmes

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (November 23) -- United World Wrestling has announced a scholarship programme that will provide its member nations with greater opportunities for people in the sports industry to build on existing expertise or qualifications.

The scholarships are being offered in partnership with the World Academy of Sport (WAoS), a leader in developing specialist education programmes in the sports industry.

The partnership will provide immediate opportunities for member federations with one fully-funded scholarship and 5, 25% scholarships available for the WAoS/University of London Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in International Sports Management. 

The online course can be completed over a period of up to five years, recognizing that industry professionals require varying levels of learning at different stages in their careers as many have limited time available. Additionally, the programme recognizes the importance of combining local context with an international overlay is increasingly more important in all aspects of sports management. Currently, there are over 100 students taking the course, representing more than 20 sports and 60 nationalities.

Additionally, WAoS is offering 100 scholarships per member federation. The WAoS Athlete Certificate is an online course developed for student-athletes between 15 to 18 years of age who want to gain a broader understanding of the tools needed to become successful and knowledgeable athletes. The course has been designed and written by content writers who regularly work with athletes and has been overseen by an expert reference group representing several international federations. 

UWW Development Director, Deqa Niamkey, said:

“We are delighted to be partnering with the World Academy of Sport to enable our members to acquire new qualifications through participating in WAoS’ leading education programmes. I encourage any member federation who would like their staff to be considered for the available scholarships to apply as this may be the first step towards an exciting new career.”

WAoS’ Managing Director, Chris Solly, said:

“We are delighted to be able to offer this second round of scholarships to the members of United World Wrestling after the highly successful launch of scholarships for the September 2021 intake.

The global sport industry is quickly rebounding.  It is becoming more professional and global. As a result, the demand for highly qualified senior managers is increasing. A postgraduate qualification can give students the extra level of skill needed to progress. Applications for the scholarship and PGCert programme will be open between October 25 and December 12 for the January 2022 intake. Interested individuals can apply via their national federations. Click here for more information about this program.

This WAoS Academic Pathway provides opportunities from high school to postgraduate education, with some of the world’s leading global educational institutions as our partners.”

if you're interested in applying, click -> PGCert Scholarship/Application Form - UWW!

#WrestleNoviSad

U23 World Championships 2025 Day 6 Freestyle Highlights

By Vinay Siwach

NOVI SAD, Serbia (October 25) -- The U23 World Championships 2025 in Novi Sad will see four Freestyle weight classes -- 57kg, 70kg, 79kg and 125kg -- in action on day six.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 5 RESULTS

14:00: Abolfazl MOHAMMAD NEZHAD (IRI), a world U20 silver medalist, reaches the semifinals at 125kg in Novi Sad after an 8-0  win over Khachatur KHACHATRYAN (ARM).

13:40: Luke LILLEDAHL (USA) got taken down by Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) for the opening score in their match but Lilledahl comes back and scores three takedowns to lead 6-2 at the break. He keeps the momentum going in the second period and beats Valizadeh 11-5 at 57kg.

13:25: Levi HAINES (USA) is on a mission here. He blanks Aykan SEID (BUL), 10-0, in the 79kg quarterfinals and powers his way into the semifinals.

13:10: PJ DUKE (USA) was challenged a little by Kaito MORITA (JPN) but he uses a big four-pointer to win 7-3 and advance to the semifinals at 70kg.

12:55: Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) had to wait for it but he beats Luka GVINJILIA (GEO), 12-2, at 57kg. Solid gut-wrench from Valizadeh to win his bout.

12:40: U20 world champion Luke LILLEDAHL (USA) needed four minutes and 25 seconds to see off Honghang LIAO (CHN) at 57kg. Lilledahl is the favorite to capture the gold here in Nvoi Sad. 

12:30: Yuta KIKUCHI (JPN) stars off with a 7-2 win against Vladyslav ABRAMOV (UKR) at 57kg. Very controlled win from the Japanese who has world champion Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) and Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) in his corner.

12:15: In a match between world silver medalist Levi HAINES (USA) and U20 world champion Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI), Haines comes out on top 7-0. Yousefi completely shut down there in this 79kg bout.

11:45: Sina KHALILI (IRI) with a 12-2 technical superiority win over Naveen KUMAR (IND) at 70kg. That gu-wrench was very effective for Khalili.

11:40: PJ DUKE (USA) with a huge 10-0 win over Rostislav LEICHT (GER) at 70kg. He looks in top form and better than his run in Samokov where he won gold at the U20 World Championships. 

11:25: Luka GVINJILIA (GEO) with an excellent strategy against recent U20 world silver medalist Sumit MALIK (IND). Gvinjilia scored a double leg attack and turned Malik twice to lead 6-0. Despite his strong efforts, Malik could only score 5 points and lost his 57kg bout 6-5

11:00: Sina KHALILI (IRI) hangs on to beat Omar OMAROV (UWW) 6-5 at 70kg. Both Omarov led 5-4 when Khalili forced a stepout with 24 seconds left. Omarov challenged the call for a par terre position but the challenge was lost, giving a 6-5 lead to Khalili. Omarov then tried two pushouts which were both called pushouts. Khalili survived there to win 6-5

10:50: Luka CHKHITUNIDZE (GEO) with a brilliant fireman's carry for four points against CHANDERMOHAN (IND) before he adds a huge reverse slam for a five points. A pushout to end the match 10-0 in two minutes and 18 seconds at 79kg.

10:35: U20 world champion PJ DUKE (USA) up against Begijon KULDASHEV (UZB) at 70kg. He gets a point for Kuldashev's passivity before scoring a takedown for two points and lead 3-0 at the break. A point for Kuldashev in the second period but Duke hits two takedowns and then defends to win 7-1.