kouratane

Kourtane Olympic Training Facility Undergoes Expansion

By United World Wrestling Press

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

Obituary

Japanese legend and Olympic champ Obara passes away aged 44

By Ken Marantz

TOKYO (July 19) — Former Japanese great Hitomi OBARA, a 2012 London Olympic gold medalist and eight-time world champion, died on Friday, Japanese media reported on Saturday. She was 44.

Obara won six world titles at women's 51kg between 2000 and 2008 under her maiden name of SAKAMOTO, but lost out to Saori YOSHIDA in an attempt to make Japan's team at 55kg to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

She retired after that disappointment, but returned to mat and cut down to 48kg in a bid for the London Olympics. She won world titles at 48kg in 2010 and 2011, then defeated Mariya STADNIK (AZE) in the London final for the Olympic gold. 

Born in the powerful wrestling city of Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, in northern Japan, Obara had been appointed as coach of the national women's team in January along with fellow Hachinohe native and Olympic champion Kaori ICHO.