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Kourtane Olympic Training Facility Undergoes Expansion

Wednesday, May 27, 2020 - 12:58 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (May 27) -- United World Wrestling partner Kourtane Training Center in Finland has completed the expansion of their main training facility. The upgrade includes more than 1000 square meters of additional training and workout space for the Finnish Wrestling Team and international guests.

The aim of the wrestling hall is to allow for it to become a main location for training camps prior or post major events, especially for women’s wrestling.
 
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic its unclear when the first training camp or competition will be held in the new facility, but there is some hope that one might be hosted by year-end inviting the neighboring countries if permitted. Some camps include upper weights categories focused on women and a selection of regional preparation tournaments.

”I hope we can organize together the next training camp in KOTC before the end of 2020 after the end of the pandemic," said Antti PEKKALA Secretary General of Finnish Wrestling Federation. "I am personally working hard for the organization of the U23 Worlds planned this coming November in Tampere and to organize an international training camp in conjunction with the championship. I look forward to welcoming the UWW family to Finland”

For further information on the Kourtane Training Center and opportunities, please contact development@unitedworldwrestling.org

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Cuba’s Trujillo Diaz honored with IOC Coaches Lifetime Achievement Award

Tuesday, November 25, 2025 - 09:29 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (November 24) — Wrestling coach Raul TRUJILLO DIAZ (CUB) received the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coaches Lifetime Achievement Award on Monday during a ceremony at the Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The award was presented by IOC President Kirsty COVENTRY and Sergii BUBKA, Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Entourage Commission.

Trujillo Díaz has been one of the key figures in the inexorable rise of Cuba as one of the leading nations in Greco-Roman, with more than 52 years of coaching experience. He coached the Cuban and Portuguese national teams across five editions of the Olympic Games.

Cuba

“I am very honoured to receive this extraordinary recognition, Trujillo Diaz said. “I would like to thank the IOC, all the athletes I have coached over the past 50 years, the other wrestling coaches and people who worked tirelessly behind the scenes in the sport to which I have dedicated my life. All were my motivation and example. I also want to take the opportunity to thank United World Wrestling (UWW). And a big thank-you to someone very special who has always been with me – my family – for their great support.”

One of the legends he has trained is five-time Olympic champion Mijain LOPEZ (CUB), who at Paris 2024 became the first athlete in any sport to win five consecutive Olympic gold medals in the same event. Others who have been trained by Trujillo Diaz are Rio 2016 champion Ismael BORRERO (CUB) and Luis ORTA (CUB), the 60kg champion at Tokyo 2020.

As well as introducing training innovations that have helped lead his nation to success, Trujillo Díaz has published numerous research papers and articles on wrestling science and pedagogy. He has also worked widely for UWW across Latin America as an educator, bringing the breadth of his knowledge and experience to new generations of athletes and coaches.

Alongwith Truillo Diaz, volleyball coach Lang PING also received the IOC Coaches Lifetime Achievement Award.

"It's really special to be here with all of you and to celebrate our two coaches for their incredible commitment and their lifetime of work in serving their athletes to become the best athlete, but also the best humans that they can be," said IOC President Kirsty Coventry during the ceremony. "So many of us who compete in sport know and understand that the lessons that we learn in sport will guide us in our everyday life after and this is where the role of coaches is so important,” she added.