#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!

#WrestleSamokov

U.S. puts 2 in U20 Worlds finals; Kurugliyev closer to title

By Vinay Siwach

SAMOKOV, Bulgaria (August 18) -- Kamil KURUGLIYEV (KAZ) earned himself a chance to win his first U20 world title after he made it to 92kg final Monday in Samokov, Bulgaria.

Kurugliyev, a former world U17 champion, has made the trip to World U20 Championships twice before this year but finished fifth in 2023 and won bronze in 2024, both at 97kg. He moved down to 92kg for this year's tournament and already upgraded his medal.

In a tough semifinal against returning bronze medalist Anar JAFARLI (AZE), Kurugliyev won a close bout 9-6, thanks to an early four-pointer move which gave him a huge advantage. Jafarli got a couple of takedowns but never seemed to trouble the Kazakhstan wrestler.

Kurugliyev will now face Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) in the final after the Uzbekistan wrestler pinned Gadzhimurad GADZHIBATYROV (UWW) in the other semifinal at 92kg.

Poyonov, the Asian U20 champion, blocked Gadzhibatyrov in one of the attacks and then kept him on the mat, pinning his shoulders for the win. Poyonov will look to become the first Uzbekistan wrestler to win gold since 2022.

The U.S. got two finalists on Monday at 65kg and 79kg. At 65kg, Luke STANICH (USA) defeated European U20 and U23 champion Amal DZHANDUBAEV (UWW) with some of the best wrestling in Samokov. Stanich kept his positions and defense and ultimately managed to score a takedown in the second period to beat Dzhandubaev 3-1 in the semifinals.

He will face Reiji UCHIDA (JPN) for the gold medal after the Japanese wrestler blanked Viktor BOROHAN (UKR), 10-0, using a series of stepouts and lace. Uchida is a product of the Yamanashi Gaikun University, the same university that produced world champion Masanosuke ONO (JPN) and Asian champion Takara SUDA (JPN).

Pan-American U20 champion William HENCKEL (USA) defeated Asian U20 champion AMIT (IND), 5-4, using a takedown and gut-wrench in the first period. He scored a stepout when put on activity period and then added a takedown and turn. Amit blocked the second turn attempt for two points but Henckel led 5-2 at the break.

Amit managed a stepout and point for passivity from Henckel but that was all for him as the U.S. wrestler moved into the final in which he will face returning bronze medalist and senior Asian champion Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI).

At one point in the semifinal, Yousefi was down against European U20 bronze medalist Said SAIDULOV (UWW). But he managed to score takedowns at regular intervals to defeat Saidulov 15-7.

At 57kg, Sumit MALIK (IND) dominated his semifinal against Ion BULGARU (MDA) and won 11-3 and booked place in the final against Magomed OZDAMIROV (UWW) who held on to a nervous 3-1 win over Nurdanat AITANOV (KAZ) in the other semifinal.

Malik got on board first when he scored a stepout during his activity clock. He added a stepout and takedown to make it 4-0 at the break. He kept his attacks and got another takedown and stepout in the second period to build a 7-0 lead.

Bulgaru finally hit back with a takedown on the edge to cut the lead to 7-2 but Malik kept relentless forward pressure, scoring a stepout and takedown to lead 10-2. Both wrestlers were cautioned for open hands on faces but that did not affect Malik, who won 11-3 win.

Ozdamirov, who showed some crafty wrestling throughout the day, denied Nurdanat AITANOV (KAZ), 3-1, thanks to a takedown in the second period.

RESULTS

57kg
GOLD: Magomed OZDAMIROV (UWW) vs. Sumit MALIK (IND)

SF 1: Magomed OZDAMIROV (UWW) df. Nurdanat AITANOV (KAZ), 3-1
SF 2: Sumit MALIK (IND) df. Ion BULGARU (MDA), 11-3

65kg
GOLD: Luke STANICH (USA) vs. Reiji UCHIDA (JPN)

SF 1: Luke STANICH (USA) df. Amal DZHANDUBAEV (UWW), 3-1
SF 2: Reiji UCHIDA (JPN) df. Viktor BOROHAN (UKR), 10-0

79kg
GOLD: Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) vs. William HENCKEL (USA)

SF 1: Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) df. Said SAIDULOV (UWW), 15-7
SF 2: William HENCKEL (USA) df. AMIT (IND), 5-4

92kg
GOLD: Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) vs. Kamil KURUGLIYEV (KAZ)

SF 1: Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) df. Gadzhimurad GADZHIBATYROV (UWW), via fall
SF 2: Kamil KURUGLIYEV (KAZ) df. Anar JAFARLI (AZE), 9-6