#WrestleElJadida

Meskout re-elected as UWW-Africa President

By United World Wrestling Press

El JADIDA, Morocco (May 17) -- President of Royal Moroccan Wrestling Federation Fouad MESKOUT was Monday re-elected as the President of UWW-Africa.

A UWW Bureau member, Meskout was given his second term during the General Assembly of the council that was held on the sidelines of the African Championship in El-Jadida.

"I congratulate Mr Meskout for his re-election as UWW-Africa President and I trust he will take up all challenges in the development and strengthening of our great sport on the continent," Nenad LALOVIC, President of United World Wrestling, said.

Elections were held for the entire UWW-Africa Council and Sissa ELISE (CMR), Hamza DOGHDOGH (ALG), Mohamed ELSAYED (EGY), Raveloson MAMITIANA (MAD), Allou KADJO (CIV) and Allah OWLO (SUD) were elected for the fresh term.

The delegates of thirty member federations of the continent gathered for this assembly where activity and financial reports of the council were presented and approved.

#Grappling

Grappling in 2024: Asian Championships in Philippines, Great Britain's first gold

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (December 10) -- Tagaytay, Baku and Astana were the three cities that saw major Grappling action in 2024. The Asian Championships were in the Philippines, the European Championships in Azerbaijan and it all came down to Kazakhstan for the World Championships.

Grappling also lost an important figure in 2024, as United World Wrestling World Grappling Committee President Rizvan BOCHKEV passed away in May at the age of 59.

In a historic year, Grappling hosted its second Asian Championships in Tagaytay, with six countries participating. The tournament was held in May, and 222 competitors participated in various age groups. Grappling powerhouse Kazakhstan dominated the tournament, winning the senior and U20 team titles, but hosts the Philippines displayed great skills and won the U17 titles. India, Singapore, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan were the other participating nations.

The European Grappling Championships were held in Baku, and 405 participants in various age groups participated. Poland outplayed others and emerged as the best team in most of the categories. Only Ukraine was able to stop Poland in some age groups, and Ukraine claimed team titles at the U17 and U20 levels.

The big event was the World Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan in September. While there were moments of brilliance from Kazakhstan, Poland and the Individual Neutral Athletes, Elizabeth GENGE (GBR) stole the show with her double gold, the first-ever for Great Britain; the country had not participated in the World Grappling Championships for the last 16 years.

Participating in her first Grappling World Championships, the 20-year-old Genge won all her bouts in two competitions via submission. Only Veronika KARAKHONOVA (AIN) could hold Genge to a decision victory. Genge is the British champion in wrestling and has participated in the Faltz Open as well, finishing fifth this year.

Another star attraction at the World Grappling Championships was Kendall REUSING (USA) who won the Grappling gold in 90kg. The Jiu-Jitsu black belt world champion won all her bouts via submission.

Overall, the Individual Neutral Athletes dominated the competition. They were so good that they won six out of the nine gold medals in the men's grappling. But in teams, Poland emerged as the best as it won the women's team gold in Women's Grappling Gi and the title in Men's Grappling. However, the United States clinched its first-ever team title as it won the gold in Women's Grappling. Kazakhstan was the best team in Men's Grappling Gi.