#NFRoundup

NF Roundup Blog, Dec. 28-Jan. 1

By United World Wrestling Press

This week, Inside the Games published a story about the greatness of four-time Olympic champion Kaori ICHO (JPN). The writer of the story, Dan Palmer, makes the case for Icho being the greatest Olympian of all time. 

Palmer argues that Olympic greats in multi-event sports should not be the only Olympic athletes considered in the greatest of all time debate. 

"My argument is we should not always think of swimming and other Olympic sports with several events, such as athletics, gymnastics and cycling, when it comes to debating who is the greatest of all time," wrote Palmer.

"The Japanese wrestler is, by my reckoning, the only Olympic athlete to have won four gold medals in an individual discipline where she had absolutely no margin for error at all, and no consolation prize of another event to compete in."

Read story on Inside the Games
 

#development

Saudi Arabia Organises Level 1 Coaching Course

By United World Wrestling Press

DAMMAM, Saudi Arabia (June 28) -- A United World Wrestling Level 1 Regional Coaches Course was successfully conducted at Al-Ettifaq Club in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, from May 16 to 20, 2026.

Organized by the Saudi Wrestling Federation, the five-day program brought together 36 participants, including 33 men and 3 women, representing Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

The course was delivered in a positive and collaborative atmosphere, with participants developing their coaching knowledge. Both theoretical and practical sessions were held using two wrestling mats, ensuring a balanced learning experience that combined classroom instruction with hands-on practice.

Moustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY)Former U20 world champion Moustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY), centre, at the course in Dammam. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

A notable participant was former U20 world champion in Greco-Roman Mustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY), whose participation added significant value to the course by sharing elite-level experience and inspiring fellow coaches. Several participants demonstrated exceptional potential and were identified as promising future coaches for Saudi Arabia and the wider Arab region.

The topics covered were self-reflection, risk management and safety with focus on coaching skills, teaching techniques, practice planning, anti-doping awareness, and the basic rules of wrestling. These subjects were designed to equip participants with the knowledge and practical skills required to support athlete development and promote safe, effective coaching practices.