UWW Minute

UWW Minute: Cuba's Ismael Borrero

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (April 21) -- Olympic champion and two-time world champion Ismael Borrero has had a newsworthy few months.

The Cuban Greco-Roman star won the Pan Am Championships March 6th, which earned him valuable Ranking Series points and secured him the top seed at 67kg for Tokyo 2021. The Cuban ,who won the 2016 Games at 59kg, talked about the importance of concentration no matter the level of the competition.

"Sometimes there are lesser opponents, but it's never easy. You have to compete hard every time," said Borrero. "I hope for victory and channel everything I feel inside to action on the mat."

In April, Borrero announced he had tested positive for COVID-19. He was largely asymptomatic and has since recovered. The defending world champion is now testing negative and is back at home.

"My success, my career are built on faith, courage, and perseverance," he said. "Always those things."

Development

UWW and ITA Deliver Successful On-Site Anti-Doping Education at 2025 Senior Worlds Acclimatization Camp Poreč

By United World Wrestling Press

POREC, Croatia (September 11) --- The United World Wrestling (UWW) Senior World Championships acclimatization camp in Poreč recently hosted a successful on-site Anti-Doping education event in collaboration with the International Testing Agency (ITA). This marked the first time UWW partnered with ITA to deliver education directly at a training camp.

A dedicated booth was set up on 8th and 9th September during the camp, and presentation sessions, led by ITA educator Anita Hartung, were held during the evenings of both days.

"The United World Wrestling Acclimatization Camp offered a great opportunity to connect with athletes ahead of their major competition. Many stopped by the Clean Sport booth before and after training, showing genuine interest and openness in discussing the fundamentals of Anti-Doping," said Anita Hartung, ITA Educator. "It was inspiring to be surrounded by such a motivated athlete community and support them in their sporting journey."

The sessions provided athletes with in-depth knowledge about Anti-Doping rules, safe supplement use, and ethical sporting practices. Two dedicated presentation sessions explored key topics, including athletes’ rights and responsibilities, how to check medications, Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs), Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs), and the risks associated with supplement use. Holding the sessions during the acclimatization period, rather than the competition phase, allowed athletes to engage in a more relaxed environment and fully focus on learning.

CRO

“These are some of the best wrestlers in the world, and thanks to the collaboration with ITA, they are better informed,” said by Carlos Roy, UWW Secretary General, “Education on Anti-Doping protects our sport, promotes fair competition, and ensures our athletes can perform at their best with confidence.”

The initiative reflects UWW’s ongoing commitment to clean sport and athlete support. By equipping wrestlers with knowledge and tools to make informed choices, UWW and ITA aim to strengthen integrity in wrestling while fostering a culture of safe and fair competition.

The Anti-Doping education sessions are part of a broader effort by UWW to provide athletes with continuous learning opportunities on the importance of competing clean, complementing existing regulations and testing programs.

With the Senior World Championships on the horizon, these activities ensure that athletes are not only physically and technically prepared but also well-informed about Anti-Doping practices, reinforcing the values of integrity, fairness, and excellence in wrestling.