Development

Guatemala plays host to 2024 Educators' Course

Tuesday, November 26, 2024 - 14:47 By United World Wrestling Press

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PETEN, Guatemala (November 20) — Nestled in the depths of the ancient Mayan Empire, Peten, Guatemala, served as the 2024 Educators' Course host city. This event brought together 11 educators, including three referees and eight coaches, all hailing from Latin America. The course was held on November 11–12 to equip participants with tools to enhance their professional education practice.

Throughout the course, participants engaged in various activities designed to deepen their understanding of adult learning principles, using formative assessments, effective feedback strategies, and integrating new technologies as valuable educational tools. Beyond listening to lectures, educators actively participated in practical micro-leadership activities, teaching their peers topics from the UWW education program.

Vincent AKA (CIV) and Zach ERRET (USA) delivered the training, with support from Yuri MAIER (ARG) and the presence of Deqa NIAMKEY, Director of Development at United World Wrestling.

As an added cultural experience, the educators visited the Tikal National Park, immersing themselves in the rich heritage of the ancient Mayan civilization. They also stayed at a hotel nestled in the heart of the Central American jungle, fostering team dynamics and strengthening bonds among the participants. This camaraderie lays a strong foundation for collaboration during future courses they will deliver.

Notably, of the 11 participants, seven had prior experience as educators. The new additions to the program showcased impressive aptitude and readiness to embrace this new challenge, particularly as they prepare for the upcoming Olympic cycle leading to Los Angeles 2028.

Mr. Francisco LEE LOPEZ and his team coordinated the course and ensured its success. Mr. LEE also addressed the participants, extending a warm welcome, expressing gratitude, and commending their dedication to advancing the development of wrestling in the region.

This enriching experience elevated the educators’ professional capacities and underscored their vital role in shaping the future of wrestling education in Latin America.

#WrestleTirana

European Championships 2026 Day 3: Women's Wrestling Highlights

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 - 08:27 By Vinay Siwach

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TIRANA, Albania (April 22) -- After two days of intense Greco-Roman action, the European Championships will shift to Women's Wrestling with five weight classes - 50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg and 76kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | Women's Wrestling Preview

https://link.uww.org/UWWPlus

12:40: Emanuela LIUZZI (ITA), leading her 50kg quarterfinal, 9-3 with 45 seconds left in the match against Emilia GRIGORE VUC (ROU), suffers a 19-9 loss. Vuc scores a takedown to cut the lead to 9-5. She then trips Liuzzi for another takedown for two points and then turns her six times to finish the bout.

12:25: Oksana LIVACH (UKR), the defending champion at 50kg and wrestling first time in quarterfinals, uses a strong gut-wrench to beat Svenja JUNGO (SUI), 12-1, and advance to the semifinals.

12:05: Martina KUENZ (AUT), chasing her first European title, with a flurry of quick action and she finishes her quarterfinal against Elmira YASIN (TUR), 10-0. Big step towards winning the gold medal.

11:55: Defending champion at 76kg Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) does not let Valeriia TRIFONOVA (UWW) settle in their 76kg quarterfinal. She scores two takedowns to lead 4-0 before a flurry of stepouts. She finishes the match with a takedown on edge, 10-0.

11:45: Alina SHAUCHUK (UWW) gets her second win of the tournament as she uses a gut-wrenches to beat Noemi SZABADOS (HUN) 10-0 and advance to the semifinals at 68kg.

11:40: Ekaterina VERBINA (UWW), the defending champion at 55kg, goes down to U23 world silver medalist Tuba DEMIR (TUR) in the quarterfinals. Demir pushed the pace of the match and led 8-0. As Verbina was working on a takedown, Demir scored a counter exposure but Verbina quickly turned it around and made it 10-2 to avoid a technical superiority. Verbina challenged the first exposure but lost which made the score 11-2. A takedown and turn cut the lead to 11-6 but Demir managed another takedown at the end to win 13-6, downing the defending champion

11:30: Liliia MALANCHUK (UKR) works up an 8-0 victory over Veronika KONSEVICH (MKD) at 55kg. Malanchuk used four different takedowns to score her points.

11:25: Martina KUENZ (AUT), the returning bronze medalist at 76kg, opens the second period with a big throw and then holds Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (UWW) on the mat to secure the fall.

11:15: Tindra SJOEBERG (SWE) secures a fall over Daniela BRASNAROVA (BUL) in just 27 seconds at 68kg.

11:05: U23 world silver medalist and returning bronze Valeriia TRIFONOVA (UWW) takes her time but she works on an 11-0 victory over Fanni NAGY NAD (SRB) and advance to the quarterfinals at 76kg.

10:55: First match at 68kg and defending champion Alina SHAUCHUK (UWW) faces Karolina DOMASZUK (POL). Shauchuk, who recently won the U23 European title as well, starts off with a 10-0 technical superiority win.