#development

Wrestling is back in force in Thailand

Monday, March 27, 2023 - 15:26 By United World Wrestling Press

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CHIANG MAI, Thailand (March 27) --- Following the visit by Ms. Deqa NIAMKEY, Director of the Development Department, President Nenad LALOVIC commissioned the return of wrestling to Thailand both nationally and internationally. The answer came from the Thai National Olympic Committee, which made it possible to revive wrestling. 

The Thai National Olympic Committee allowed the organization of an Olympic Solidarity course in collaboration with United World Wrestling to jointly deliver a UWW Level 1 Coaching, Training and Introduction to Refereeing course.

Thirty participants, including coaches, referees and seven federal staff members, were present for this training. Mr. VUISIT TANGVARITHRON, President of the Thai Wrestling Association, also made the trip to the city of the Lanna Empire, Chiangmai.

refReferees work together during the Introduction to Refereeing course. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

For this revival of wrestling in Thailand, United World Wrestling sent three trainers: Vincent AKA, UWW development officer, Ashok KUMAR, UWW educator, and Komeil GHASEMI, Olympic champion. 

The opening ceremony welcomed the presence of Mr. PREM Vathabunditkul, Vice-president of the Thai Wrestling Association. He set the scene by emphasizing the Association's objective to train new coaches and referees. 

Mr. Narin Sangsrichan, Vice-president of University Sports in Thailand, set the course by saying, "Chiang Mai Sports University and the Thai Wrestling Association, let's house this camp for you and welcome new coaches to achieve national excellence."

The Thai wrestling Association requested Level II training. However, given the level of the participants, it was agreed to start with a Level I course to establish a solid foundation in terms of technical and pedagogical skills for these coaches. However, a Level II course will be organized in 2023 with the same participants. 

VincentVincent AKA presents development programs to the Thai Wrestling Association. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Vincent Aka took the opportunity to present to the President of the Thai Wrestling Association all of United World Wrestling's development programs. He also gave the Olympic Solidarity programs accessible to National Federations through their National Olympic Committees.

The President of the Thai Wrestling Association was very satisfied with this course and is already looking to the future by thinking of two programs that can help develop the Thai Wrestling Association. 

Mr. Pattaya Charlie, a member of the Association, reinforced the general satisfaction. During the closing ceremony, he said, "In the name of Chiang Mai Sports University, we would like to thank United World Wrestling for sending us a talented team of educators. On this occasion, we learned new techniques, the evolution of the rules, and new teaching methods based on the fundamentals of wrestling to train our new coaches and referees."

Speaking of his contribution to the success of this camp, Komeil Ghasemi noted his pride and enthusiasm to bring his stone to the wrestling family. "I am thrilled to share my experience and my expertise with all the participants. UWW remains committed to its affiliated members and is always concerned for their development and is committed to working with all the partners concerned towards this objective of sustainable development while keeping the course of the 2022-2026 strategy."

#WrestleNoviSad

U23 Worlds 2025: Forrest wins epic final to hand U.S. team title

Tuesday, October 28, 2025 - 00:40 By Vinay Siwach

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NOVI SAD, Serbia (October 27) — For a second time this year, the United States and Iran were involved in a thrilling team title race in Freestyle at a World Championships with the U.S. eventually winning the title.

After being tied at 102 points each at the U23 World Championships in Novi Sad, the U.S. needed one win and Iran needed to win all three bouts on the final day of the competition.

The U.S. sealed the team title as soon as Jaxen FORREST (USA) won the 61kg final, giving his country an unassailable lead of 137 points over Iran, which finished second with 127 points. Japan was third with 85 points.

With the team title, U.S. won the top spot in Freestyle in all age-group World Championships while Iran won the title in senior Worlds.

Three gold medals already in pocket, the U.S. won a fourth one on Monday through Forrest who had an unforgettable bout against Omurbek ASAN UULU (KGZ).

Both teenagers, U20 world bronze medalist Forrest and U17 world champion Asan Uulu put on a match that will be remembered for ages. Both wrestlers settled in, Forrest came up with an over-underhook for four but Asan Uulu soon fired back with two takedown to make it 4-4. After a back-and-forth scramble, Asan Uulu managed to score a push out for a 5-4 lead.

But Forrest took a big lead when he threw Asan Uulu from quad pod position for four points. Kyrgyzstan’s lost challenge added one more point to make it 9-5.

Jaxen FORREST (USA)Jaxen FORREST (USA) scores a takedown against Umurbek ASAN UULU (KGZ). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

The two were not done yet. As soon as the second period began, Asan Uulu scored a stepout, Forrest got a takedown to make it 11-6. Asan Uulu managed to get a takedown and score via exposure. He took a 12-11 lead with a takedown on edge with 1:30 left.

There was more left in the match as Forrest got on a low single to get a takedown and as the wrestlers returned to standing, he threw Asan Uulu for a big four, the third of the match to make it 17-12. He was happy to give one takedown to Asan Uulu in the final 10 seconds and win the gold medal 17-14, in what was perhaps the match of the year.

SUJEET (IND)SUJEET (IND) scores the match-winning takedown against Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

At 65kg, SUJEET (IND) upgraded his bronze from last year to gold this year after he blanked world bronze medalist Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) in the final, his third 10-0 technical superiority over Jalolov this year.

Sujeet began like favorite underhook and snapdowns and Jalolov was put on the clock. Sujeet scored a takedown during that period to lead 3-0 before a stepout made it 4-0, a lead which Sujeet carried into the break.

The second period was no different as Sujeet did not let Jalolov settle down. He scored using a counter takedown to lead 6-0 with 1:52 remaining. Jalolov tried to hit a far reaching leg attack but Sujeet throws thew himself backward before scoring a takedown. A double leg takedown to make it 10-0 with 1:06 remaining.

Arash YOSHIDA (JPN)Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) celebrates after beating Merab SULEIMANISHVILI (GEO) in the 97kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Japan went past Turkiye in the team race by one point, all thanks to Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) winning the gold medal at 97kg by beating Merab SULEIMANISHVILI (GEO), 12-2, in the final.

For a split second Suleimaniashvili was about to pin Yoshida but apart from that, Yoshida never looked in any kind of trouble. His body frame and power were too much for the Georgian who just folded in the battle.

Yoshida managed to score from various position and used the underhook to perfection to earn his first world title.

One of the most dominant wrestlers in this tournament, Arsen BALAIAN (UWW), capped off his incredible run with a 10-0 victory over Eugeniu MIHALCEAN (MDA), 10-0.

RESULTS

61kg
GOLD: Jaxen FORREST (USA) df. Omurbek ASAN UULU (KGZ), 17-14

BRONZE: Akito MUKAIDA (JPN) df. Mykyta ABRAMOV (UKR), 10-0
BRONZE: Tolga OZBEK (TUR) df. Erdal GALIP (BUL), 11-1

65kg
GOLD: SUJEET (IND) df. Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB), 10-0

BRONZE: Bilol SHARIP UULU (KGZ) df. Aykhan ABDULLAZADA (AZE), 10-0
BRONZE: Bashir MAGOMEDOV (UWW) df. Yuto NISHIUCHI (JPN), 7-5

86kg
GOLD: Arsen BALAIAN (UWW) df. Eugeniu MIHALCEAN (MDA), 10-0

BRONZE: Ali TCOKAEV (AZE) df. Tornike SAMKHARADZE (GEO), 13-2
BRONZE: Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) df. Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA), 7-5

97kg
GOLD: Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) df. Merab SULEIMANISHVILI (GEO), 12-2

BRONZE: Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) df. Abolfazl BABALOO (IRI), 7-1
BRONZE: Soslan DZHAGAEV (UWW) df. David MCHEDLIDZE (UKR), 4-2