#BackToWrestling

With Eye on Safety, Lithuania Returns to Practice Mats

Thursday, May 21, 2020 - 14:34 By United World Wrestling Press

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VILNIUS, Lithuania (May 22) -- With few cases of COVID-19 nationwide, Lithuania's top wrestlers are returning to the mat, albeit with safety precautions in place. 

Lithuania has only seen 1600 total cases of COVID-19 and 60 deaths. Despite the lower numbers the wrestling federation and the athletes are taking every precaution they can to ensure the health and safety of the wrestlers on the mat. The new guidelines for practice includes increased cleaning protocols, temperature checks, hand sanitization and face masks (for anyone not actively wrestling).

Athletes’ Commission member Mindaugas EZERSKIS mentioned the practices during Monday's Athlete Webinar with the commission and UWW President Nenad Lalovic. Ezerskis said the team is training during the week and taking weekends off with a focus on preparing for the Olympics and Olympic Qualification events. 

You can watch the full video, here.

#development

Legendary Coach Trujillo Arrives in Kyrgyzstan to Hone Greco Talent

Saturday, April 25, 2026 - 13:22 By United World Wrestling Press

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BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 24) -- Raul TRUJILLO DIAZ (CUB), the recipient of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coaches Lifetime Achievement Award, is on a mission to change the Greco-Roman landscape. 

After spending two months in China, Trujillo is in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to help the country's U23 national team as it prepares for the U23 Asian Championships next month in Vietnam.

Trujillo was welcomed in Bishkek on Thursday and he visited the national academy and from Monday he will join the national camp to guide the team for the tournament.

Raul TRUJILLORaul TRUJILLO, left, in Bishkek.

Last year, Trujillo signed a development contract to work with UWW with a focus on youth development, coach education, and high-performance training systems.

Trujillo has been a long time coach and lifelong mentor of Mijain LOPEZ, guiding him through the most dominant stretch of his historic career.

Kyrgyzstan recently hosted the Asian Championships in Bishkek and had a successful campaign in Freestyle, Greco-Roman and Women's Wrestling. The country finished second in team standing in Greco, fourth in Women's Wrestling and fifth in Freestyle.