Obituary, #UnitedWorldWrestling

Former UWW Sec Gen Dusson passes away

Thursday, May 29, 2025 - 16:28 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (May 29) -- Former United World Wrestling General Secretary and Hall of Fame member Michel DUSSON passed away Thursday aged 90 years.

Dusson served wrestling for close to 65 years in different positions including being a referee, President of Federation Francaise de Lutte and Secretary General of UWW from 1982 to 2022.

UWW President expressed his condolences on the demise of Dusson and thanked him for his service to wrestling.

"Dusson was a true steward of the sport of wrestling," Lalovic said. "He dedicated his life to it and served across many eras. We are forever indebted to his unwavering commitment and lifelong dedication to wrestling."

Before being appointed the Secretary General in 1982, Dusson was the Bureau member of UWW (then FILA) from 1980. He began his referee career in 1959 and remained one till 1980, officiating the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal.

He also served as the member of the French Olympic Committee for 12 years besides being appointed as the CAS Arbitrator from 1984 to 1992.

While he made numerous contribution to grow and improve wrestling over the years, Dusson played a major role in bringing Women's Wrestling to the Olympic program.

In 2018, he was inducted into the UWW Hall of Fame at a ceremony on the eve of the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

UWW expresses its condolences to the Dusson family.

#development

Romania hosts first coaches course of the year

Tuesday, February 14, 2023 - 13:50 By United World Wrestling Press

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IZVORANI, Romania (February 10) – The Romanian Wrestling Federation (FRL), supported by United World Wrestling and the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee, hosted the first coaching course of the year. The course was held in the Olympic Center Sydney 2000 on February 6-9. The course was hosted by Mr. Răzvan Pîrcălabu (UWW Member and President of Romanian Wrestling Federation) and attended by Mr. Mihai Covaliu (President of the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee) and Mr. Eduard Novak (Minister of Sports in Romania).

At the course, more than 150 Romanian coaches were present.  The program included theoretical and practical sessions along with a written examination. During the three days, the coaches had the chance to learn from international Educators and guest speakers that included:

  • Mr. Arsen Julfalakyan (UWW Member and President of Athletes Commission)
  • Mr. Petru Toarcă (UWW Lecturer)
  • Mr. Ferenc Gyarmati (Olympic Referee and UWW Instructor)
  • Mrs. Ramona Ceamuru (Director of National Training Center for Romanian Coaches)
  • Mrs. Alina Gherghisan (Sports Psychologist of Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee)

ROMA birdseye view from the first coaching course of the year. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

During the course, all the participants learned the foundations of being a successful coach. Topics included: role of coaches, coach vision, coach as a key resource of performance, psychological approach for young wrestlers, discipline in sport, proper nutrition-healthy food and importance of the recovery.  The coaches also had practical on-the-mat sessions with Mr. Julfalakyan and Mr. Toarcă.  These sessions focused on different situations in the standing and par terre positions.  Lastly, the coaches participated in a referee course. This course was conducted by UWW Instructor Ferenc Gyarmati.

ROM1All eyes from the coaches course are on world champion Arsen JULFALAKYAN (ARM). (Photo: United World Wrestling)

“I would like to thank the Romanian wrestling federation for the invitation. It was really a very unique experience. Not every time you can have the opportunity to work with more than 150 coaches from different styles and in a country with such a rich wrestling traditions,” said Mr. Julfalakyan.

The Romanian Wrestling Federation aims to improve wrestling activities at all age groups. Providing educational courses is an important chapter in their overall development strategy for the Federation. This course was a big success and a great start to 2023.