COVID-19

IOC Refugee Scholarship Holders Oboadi, Alwad in Training Videos

Thursday, April 30, 2020 - 17:09 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY (May 1) -- IOC Refugee Scholarship recipient and Greco-Roman wrestler Aker Al OBOADI shared a video of himself training during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Oboadi who left his home in Iraq for Austria, is preparing for the opportunity to qualify for the Olympic Games in Tokyo set to start July 23, 2021.


AL OBOADI and Ali ALAWAD, originally from Syria, are the first two wrestlers in the history of our sport to wear the UWW flag at the continental and world competitions. Thanks to the initiative of the IOC and National Olympic Committees of  Austria and Egypt, wrestling refugees are entitled to take part in the sport and pursue their Olympic dream. Both athletes plan to compete in their respective continental qualifiers in 2021, and if necessary, the "Last Chance" Olympic qualifier.

Stay tuned to United World Wrestling for more news, highlights, and updates.

DPR Korea Organizes 'Women in Wrestling' Tournament on Wrestling Day

Wednesday, June 3, 2026 - 17:16 By United World Wrestling Press

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DPR KOREA (June 3) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea marked its Wrestling Day celebrations on May 23 by organising a Women's Wrestling tournament.

The tournament, named 'Women in Wrestling' was organised to promote wrestling and to encourage female participation in sports and to promote of social interest for wrestling.

DPR Korea

DPR Korea is one of the most successful countries in Women's Wrestling as it finished second in the team rankings at the 2025 World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia.

With only seven wrestlers, the DPR Korea returned with five medals including two golds. Two other wrestlers won silver medals while one won bronze. The dominance will once again be on display later this year at the World Championships and the Asian Games.