Medical Conference

Registration Open for World Wrestling Medicine Conference and Team Physician Course

Friday, July 26, 2019 - 13:24 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (July 26) -- Registration is now open for the World Wrestling Medicine Conference and Team Physician Course, which will take place October 24-26 at the University of Physical Education in Budapest Hungary, before the start of the U23 World Championships.

The event is being organized by United World Wrestling, Hungarian Wrestling Federation and the University of Physical Education, Budapest. Szabolcs Molnár is the director of the event.

Nineteen speakers from a dozen different countries will present on a variety of topics, including wrestling injuries, injury prevention, corticosteroid injections, overtraining and fatigue syndrome, doping rule violations, medical examinations, skin conditions and much more.

Participants can register through Athena for the U23 World Championships and select the box "Attend Medical Conference." A 150€ fee will be charged and includes transportation, transport, conference registration, lunch and coffee breaks, as well as certificates.

Participants who wish to attend without registering through Athena via their National Federation may fill out this form and send it to MedicalConference2019@unitedworldwrestling.org. A fee of 90€ per day for the participation in the conference will be invoiced to the applicant. The fee includes registration, conference material, lunch and coffee breaks, attendance certificate & training course certificates. Accommodation and transport are not included with the fee.

Rules and form for abstract submission:

Rules for Abstracts

Abstract Submission Form

Program Wrestling Medicine Conference

The deadline to register for the World Wrestling Medicine Conference and Team Physician Course is September 28.

Abstracts must be submitted by August 30, with the selection and announcement set for September 10.

For more information on the World Wrestling Medicine Conference and Team Physician Course, please contact MedicalConference2019@unitedworldwrestling.org.

 

 

Development

Wrestling Enters a New Era in Southern Africa with Namib Storm and SADC Open Championships

Wednesday, August 13, 2025 - 13:57 By United World Wrestling Press

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WINDHOEK, Namibia — July 2025 The Namibian Wrestling Federation (NWF), in partnership with United World Wrestling (UWW) and Olympic Solidarity, launched a landmark initiative to boost wrestling development in Southern Africa: the Namib Storm Wrestling Week and SADC Open Championships, held from 30 June to 5 July 2025 at the Windhoek Showgrounds.

Speaking at the official launch in Windhoek, NWF President Colin Steytler emphasized the significance of this new chapter for the sport:

“This is where everything comes together — grassroots, elite, and development levels. It’s the most important step we’ve taken to date in bringing our strategic goals to life.”

A New Benchmark for Regional Wrestling Development

The week-long event featured two core components:

  • REDT – Namib Storm Training Camp (30 June – 3 July)
    This high-performance camp delivered Level 3 Coaching and Level 2 Refereeing Certification under the guidance of UWW instructors — a first for Namibia and a major milestone for the region.

“You can’t grow grassroots wrestling without qualified coaches,” Steytler noted.
Coaches and officials from multiple countries, including Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Mauritius, took part in intensive technical sessions.

  • SADC Open Championships (4 July)
    This tournament gathered elite athletes from Angola, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and beyond — many of whom are continental medallists. Importantly, the SADC Open became the first UWW-rated event in Southern Africa, enabling both athletes and referees to earn international exposure without needing to travel abroad.

“This changes the game,” said Steytler. “We can now compete regionally and still gain global recognition — this saves costs and boosts participation.”

NAMAttendees go through the Level 3 Coaching and Level 2 Refereeing Certification under the guidance of UWW instructors. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Beach Wrestling: Taking the Sport to New Shores

The week concluded on 5 July with a Beach Wrestling showcase, reinforcing UWW’s commitment to accessibility and outreach.

“Beach wrestling will be the only wrestling discipline featured at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal,” Steytler reminded. “And we are proud to host Namibia’s first-ever beach wrestling event in Swakopmund on 7 December 2025.”

Beach wrestling, requiring only sand and a rope, offers a practical and inclusive way to expand the sport into rural and underserved communities — a cornerstone of UWW’s vision.

Towards a Self-Sustaining Wrestling Future

The REDT initiative and Namib Storm programme are part of the NWF’s five-year strategy to develop a self-sustainable wrestling ecosystem, bridging the gap between grassroots and elite competition and aiming for future Olympic qualification and medals.

“The Namib Storm Week and SADC Open pull all of our strategic elements together,” said Steytler. “From here, we take what we’ve built back to the regions and expand wrestling further than ever before.”

This event highlights Southern Africa’s growing role in the global wrestling community and reflects UWW’s dedication to regional empowerment, education, and international competition access.