Development

Wrestling Hosts Virtual Educator Meeting

Thursday, February 11, 2021 - 16:51 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (February 12) -- The United World Wrestling development department hosted three virtual educator meetings Tuesday with UWW educators conducting each meeting in a different language (French, English, Russian and Spanish).

The meetings were focused on informing attendees on how to use the new Academy platform and become familiar with its functions and how it will be used in future courses. The groups reviewed administrative requirements for conducting courses and discussed future training opportunities for educators over the course of the year.  

The meetings also provided an opportunity for the department to provide updates on Olympic Solidarity courses and NF courses.  

“This UWW Academy platform is a great tool which advances education of new generations of coaches and referees to a higher level, in line with trends of today’s modern world,” said UWW Referee Educator Davor Petanjek (CRO). “I look forward jumping into this train to a brighter future!”  

"The meetings were great," said UWW Education Manager Zach Errett. "It gave us an opportunity to connect with all the outstanding educators around the world and to hear the great projects they have been working on during the pandemic. Many of them are excited and hopeful to get back to conducting courses and helping to develop and improve wrestling around the world."  

It is also important to notify that despite the Covid 19 pandemic, educators have kept their motivation to develop the fight in their country, either through seminars during events, or through training organized spontaneously by their federations. They took advantage of the opportunities available to them to continue to make their contribution to our sport. 

To conclude Madam Déqa Niamkey Director of the Development Department to congratulate them and encourage them to continue on this positive side. And to say "we are a team, a family and I am proud to belong to this great family of wrestling."
 

UWW Opens Dedicated Office for Grappling, MMA, Pankration in Lausanne

Monday, July 6, 2026 - 17:15 By United World Wrestling Press

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LAUSANNE, Switzerland (July 6) -- United World Wrestling marked a significant milestone for Grappling, MMA and Pankration on Monday with the official opening of its dedicated office for the three associated styles at the Maison du Sport International in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The new office will serve as the operational hub for the continued development and governance of Grappling, MMA and Pankration within the UWW family.

The official opening was attended by UWW President Nenad LALOVIC, President of the UWW Committee of Associated Styles and UWW Vice President Rodica YAKSI, UWW Committee for Grappling, MMA and Pankration Vice President Adrian BAKOS, and UWW Committee for Grappling, MMA and Pankration Member Gaji GAJIYEV.

Michal BUCHEL has been appointed Head of the office and Tolegen KUMAROV, who was appointed Head of Grappling at United World Wrestling on February 21 in Baku, will also be part of the new office. He will be responsible, within the framework of the UWW Committee for Grappling, MMA and Pankration, for the strategic development of grappling worldwide.

Lausanne

In the coming days, a working group will be formed and will begin implementing key projects aimed at developing these disciplines.

The main objectives set by UWW for the committee will be the systematic development of Grappling, MMA and Pankration, the unification and strengthening of international cooperation, the support of national federations, as well as the creation of new opportunities for athletes around the world.

The office for the three styles is open to constructive cooperation with all organisations that are sincerely interested in the development of these disciplines, the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, and the education of the younger generation.

I is important for all international, continental and national organisations developing Grappling, MMA and Pankration to build relationships based on mutual respect, open dialogue and partnership. Sport has always been a universal language that brings people together regardless of nationality, culture or political views. 

By bringing together the experience, knowledge and collective efforts of the global sports community, it’s possible to ensure the sustainable development of Grappling, MMA and Pankration, strengthen their international standing, and open a new chapter in the history of combat sports.