#BeachWrestling

PHOTOS: Bird, Beats, Beach and Wrestling in Dakar

By Vinay Siwach

DAKAR, Senegal (June 22) -- Wrestling in Senegal? Nothing new to the country. It is the most popular sport, at least the traditional one. The stands are filled, music blaring, wrestlers are superstars in the country and people love it.

The second edition of the African Championships in Beach Wrestling traveled to Dakar, Senegal. More than 100 wrestlers entered to compete for the glory of becoming the champion of the continent.

But there is so much to wrestling in Dakar outside the two rings on the sand. The colors, music, cheering, dance and crowd are inseparable.

Obviously, there is wrestling with big throws, tackles, takedowns.

DakarPhoto: United World Wrestling / Helena Courtis

Wrestling remains the same. Mat, sand, mud, ice. Those throws are supreme. Here's an example.

 

DakarPhoto: United World Wrestling / Helena Courtis

Once you get thrown like that, you will be covered in sand. So you need to wash it. We got water right next to the rings.

 

DakarPhoto: United World Wrestling / Helena Courtis

Outside the sand rings, no one should be that serious in wrestling. No way in beach wrestling. Come on, Mouhamed BAYO (SEN).

 

DakarPhoto: United World Wrestling / Helena Courtis

We managed to convince him. Look at that flex. Thanks, Bayo!

 

DakarPhoto: United World Wrestling / Helena Courtis

The National Arena de Lutte in Dakar came prepared. The traditional Senegalese wrestling begins with the sounds of drums. There was no other way to begin during the opening ceremony at Beach Wrestling. Adding to the drums, some colors and music. Nothing better.

 

DakarPhoto: United World Wrestling / Helena Courtis

At all wrestling venues, a battle ensues. It's between the wrestlers and security. Are the wrestlers more well-built or the policemen? We will let you decide.

 

DakarPhoto: United World Wrestling / Helena Courtis

Back to wrestling. Do you think this is a point?

 

DakarPhoto: United World Wrestling / Helena Courtis

Thankfully, you are a referee only by looking at the screen in front of you. On the sand, our referees need to be as quick, both with their decisions and stepping away from the line of action.

 

DakarPhoto: United World Wrestling / Helena Curtis

If someone mentioned a story about how a wrestler in Dakar managed a bird to sit on his head with no trouble, no one would believe that. But here you are, a wrestler in Dakar with a bird sitting on his head. Our photographer captured it so we have to believe.

 

DakarPhoto: United World Wrestling / Helena Courtis

In the end, it is about being happy after watching wrestling. These kids surely enjoyed it.

Well, if you are looking for the results from the matches, here's the link for all the results. CLICK HERE

#BeachWrestling

'22 Beach Wrestling World Series Schedule Announced

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (January 28) -- To the Black Sea and back - before the Kings and Queens of the beach will get coronated at the Beach Wrestling World Champions during the final stop on Romania’s magical Mamaia Beach in Constanta this September, the athletes will provide for high flying action, eye-catching throws and a lot of athleticism on beaches across Europe this summer.

With the season opener in Odessa, Ukraine, the World Series will return to one of its 2019 locations by the Black Sea and will be hosted in Spain for the very first time only three weeks later when Sanxenxo in Galicia calls to the beach. After back-to-back tournaments in Saint Laurent du Var on the Côte d’Azur in France and Katerini, Greece, in July the World Series and its recurring stars from four different weight categories for the women and men will return to the Romanian part of the Black Sea for a spectacular season showdown in charming Constanta.

As the athletes get ready for a stocked summer of beach bustle, let’s look back at the previous year’s most magical moments 3rdBeach Wrestling World Series season.

Save the dates & stay tuned for more details!

Beach Wrestling World Series 2022
28-29 May – Odessa (UKR) | Arcadia Beach
18-19 June – Sanxenxo (ESP) | Silgar Beach
01-02 July - Saint Laurent du Var (FRA) | Landsberg Beach
09-10 July - Katerini (GRE) | Paralia Beach
03-04 September - Constanta (ROU) | Mamaia Beach

UWW Beach Wrestling
UWW, then known as FILA, codified the form of beach wrestling in 2004. Beach wrestling is standing wrestling done by wrestlers, male or female, inside a sand-filled circle measuring 7 meters (23 ft) in diameter. The style originally mirrored the rules used before the use of wrestling mats, and beach wrestling has been regarded as the oldest version of international competitive wrestling. The international rules have been modified in 2015 by UWW, with the current rules allowing wrestlers to score points via takedowns, pushing their opponent out of bounds, or bringing the opponent down to their back.

Introduced in 2019, the Beach Wrestling World Series will crown the Beach Wrestling World Champions during the final of the 5-legged competitive season across beach locations around the world in 2022.

Weight classes
Women: 50 kg, 60 kg, 70 kg, and +70kg
Men: 70 kg, 80 kg, 90 kg, and +90kg

Find out all about the Beach Wrestling World Series at www.beachwrestling.org
Follow us on social media
IG @uwwbeachwrestling
FB @ Beachwrestlingworldseries
YT @ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU82VJze6xdYhhp3uEFA_tw/featured - watch the competitions live