#CARDA

Azimi Tabbed to Head Guatemala's CARDA

Thursday, March 10, 2022 - 19:15 By United World Wrestling Press

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GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala (March 9) --- The "High Performance and Development Center for the Americas" recently reopened in the Guatemalan capital after the facility was temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Upon the center's highly-anticipated reopening, United World Wrestling named 44-year-old Reza AZIMI as the CARDA's (Spanish acronym) new head coach.

Azimi, who originally hails from Iran, brings loads of high-level experience as a coach and a competitor into Guatemala. He had an outstanding career as an athlete from 1993-'97, winning medals at the U17, U20, and U23 World Championships.

Azimi's success followed into his coach career. He successfully performed his duties in Iran, Nicaragua and India.
•    Coached Iran's National Team from 2013-'15.
•    Coached Nicaragua's National Team in 2017.
•    Coached India's National Team and Punjab's Team in 2020-'21.

Mr. Francisco Lee, President of UWW Americas, welcomed Azimi to Guatemala with open arms. Upon Azimi's arrival. Mr. Lee highlighted the sports cooperation between the National Federations of Iran and Guatemala and wished the new coach success.

#WrestleParis

Techniques, safety, focus: UWW referees ready for Paris 2024

Thursday, August 1, 2024 - 09:40 By United World Wrestling Press

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ATHENS, Greece (August 1) -- United World Wrestling referees for Paris 2024 completed a three-day seminar from June 21 to 23, hosted by the Greek Wrestling Federation in Athens. The seminar was held to prepare for the Olympics, where referees will be ITOs.

The program consisted of self and group analysis of previous performance, theoretical study, mental preparedness, medical and safety training as well as on-the-mat training with Women's Wrestling, Freestyle, and Greco-Roman wrestlers and coaching experts.

Led by the President of the UWW Athletes Commission, Arsen JULFALAKYAN, as well as coaches Alfred TER-MKRTCHYAN, Patrick NUDING and Amiran KARDANOV and wrestlers Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) and Christos KOUTSOURIDIS (GRE), referees analyzed common wrestling techniques and tactics in all styles and the proper philosophy and mechanisms referees should utilize when evaluating these situations.

Referee seminar

During these sessions, Julfalakyan also emphasized concerns and questions he receives from wrestlers and how we can improve the communication between athletes and referees when discussing the application of the rules.

Mental strength training sessions were led by Holger KNOLL, a trained mental strength coach specializing in athlete training. His sessions focused on how referees can improve their concentration and focus before, during and after competitions.

Babak SHADGAN, President of the UWW Medical Commission, provided medical and safety training, with focus on the role a referee plays in injury prevention.

In addition to the referee's instruction, Tristan MORAD, UWW Sports Department Coordinator, provided a presentation on the logistics and schedule of the wrestling of Paris 2024.

United World Wrestling and the UWW Referee Commission graciously thank the Greek Wrestling Federation and its President, Stergios LEONKIS, and UWW Bureau Vice President, Theodore HAMAKOS and numerous volunteers for their organization and hospitality in hosting the seminar.