#WrestleSofia

Wrestler with Down Syndrome Brings Joy to Many at #WrestleSofia

Friday, August 2, 2019 - 11:07 By Taylor Miller

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Fatih EMIRHAN, Wrestler with Down Syndrome

 

Fatih EMIRHAN (TUR), a 10-year-old athlete with Down Syndrome from Turkey, wrestled at his first World Championships on Thursday night in front of an enthusiastic crowd.

In a special match set up by United World Wrestling, Emirhan wrestled against his coach, Ali BURAK TOY (TUR), on the center stage just before the women’s freestyle finals.

Emirhan showed off some of his best skills, scoring four points on an arm throw and a four more on an outside trip, before he pinned Burak Toy.

The crowd went wild, and like he had seen many wrestlers do in the days before, Emirhan did a victory lap, smiling and jumping the whole way. After, he was presented a gold medal by Mr. Tzeno TZENOV (BUL), UWW Europe President and UWW Vice President.

When he was 7 years old, his mother, Essen Turkmen, enrolled Emirhan in wrestling so that she could give her son every opportunity that other children get. Now, he trains with Burak Toy four times a week, including three wrestling practices and one swimming session.

Since he began the sport, his coach says that Emirhan always maintains a positive attitude and has never once complained about being tired.

Wrestling has also had an impact on his day-to-day life as his speech and physical abilities have greatly improved. Additionally, Emirhan has developed better social skills through wrestling.

Last night was not the first time that Emirhan has wrestled on a big stage. In late-2017, he defeated European, World and Olympic champion Taha AKGUL (TUR) in another fun exhibition in Turkey.

As a rising star and someone who is eager to learn, it is likely we will see Emirhan do some even greater things in our sport.

Development

Wrestling Enters a New Era in Southern Africa with Namib Storm and SADC Open Championships

Wednesday, August 13, 2025 - 13:57 By United World Wrestling Press

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WINDHOEK, Namibia — July 2025 The Namibian Wrestling Federation (NWF), in partnership with United World Wrestling (UWW) and Olympic Solidarity, launched a landmark initiative to boost wrestling development in Southern Africa: the Namib Storm Wrestling Week and SADC Open Championships, held from 30 June to 5 July 2025 at the Windhoek Showgrounds.

Speaking at the official launch in Windhoek, NWF President Colin Steytler emphasized the significance of this new chapter for the sport:

“This is where everything comes together — grassroots, elite, and development levels. It’s the most important step we’ve taken to date in bringing our strategic goals to life.”

A New Benchmark for Regional Wrestling Development

The week-long event featured two core components:

  • REDT – Namib Storm Training Camp (30 June – 3 July)
    This high-performance camp delivered Level 3 Coaching and Level 2 Refereeing Certification under the guidance of UWW instructors — a first for Namibia and a major milestone for the region.

“You can’t grow grassroots wrestling without qualified coaches,” Steytler noted.
Coaches and officials from multiple countries, including Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Mauritius, took part in intensive technical sessions.

  • SADC Open Championships (4 July)
    This tournament gathered elite athletes from Angola, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and beyond — many of whom are continental medallists. Importantly, the SADC Open became the first UWW-rated event in Southern Africa, enabling both athletes and referees to earn international exposure without needing to travel abroad.

“This changes the game,” said Steytler. “We can now compete regionally and still gain global recognition — this saves costs and boosts participation.”

NAMAttendees go through the Level 3 Coaching and Level 2 Refereeing Certification under the guidance of UWW instructors. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Beach Wrestling: Taking the Sport to New Shores

The week concluded on 5 July with a Beach Wrestling showcase, reinforcing UWW’s commitment to accessibility and outreach.

“Beach wrestling will be the only wrestling discipline featured at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal,” Steytler reminded. “And we are proud to host Namibia’s first-ever beach wrestling event in Swakopmund on 7 December 2025.”

Beach wrestling, requiring only sand and a rope, offers a practical and inclusive way to expand the sport into rural and underserved communities — a cornerstone of UWW’s vision.

Towards a Self-Sustaining Wrestling Future

The REDT initiative and Namib Storm programme are part of the NWF’s five-year strategy to develop a self-sustainable wrestling ecosystem, bridging the gap between grassroots and elite competition and aiming for future Olympic qualification and medals.

“The Namib Storm Week and SADC Open pull all of our strategic elements together,” said Steytler. “From here, we take what we’ve built back to the regions and expand wrestling further than ever before.”

This event highlights Southern Africa’s growing role in the global wrestling community and reflects UWW’s dedication to regional empowerment, education, and international competition access.