#BackToWrestling

With Eye on Safety, Lithuania Returns to Practice Mats

By United World Wrestling Press

VILNIUS, Lithuania (May 22) -- With few cases of COVID-19 nationwide, Lithuania's top wrestlers are returning to the mat, albeit with safety precautions in place. 

Lithuania has only seen 1600 total cases of COVID-19 and 60 deaths. Despite the lower numbers the wrestling federation and the athletes are taking every precaution they can to ensure the health and safety of the wrestlers on the mat. The new guidelines for practice includes increased cleaning protocols, temperature checks, hand sanitization and face masks (for anyone not actively wrestling).

Athletes’ Commission member Mindaugas EZERSKIS mentioned the practices during Monday's Athlete Webinar with the commission and UWW President Nenad Lalovic. Ezerskis said the team is training during the week and taking weekends off with a focus on preparing for the Olympics and Olympic Qualification events. 

You can watch the full video, here.

#wrestlebishkek

WATCH: 10 freestyle finals from #WrestleBishkek

By Vinay Siwach

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (June 9) -- The third Ranking Series event of the year, Kaba Uulu Kozhomkul & Raatbek Sanatbaev, concluded in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan last week. With different wrestlers winning gold medals, there were a few changes in the ranking as well.

Kyrgyzstan and Georgia won three gold medals each in freestyle and remained the top two teams in the competition.

Watch all the 10 freestyle finals from Bishkek.

GOLD: 57kg - Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ) vs. Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ)