#WrestleCoralville

Iran announces freestyle World Cup roster

By Gary Abbott

CORALVILLE, Iowa (November 22) -- Iran’s lineup for the Freestyle World Cup has been released.

The Freestyle and Women’s Wrestling World Cup will be held at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa, December 10-11. It is the first time that freestyle and women’s wrestling will be held together side-by-side at the World Cup.

The World Cup is the annual international dual meet championships, conducted by United World Wrestling. The top five teams in freestyle and the top five teams in women’s wrestling from the 2022 Senior World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia in September have confirmed their participation. There is also an All-World Team in each discipline, featuring the top available athletes from the World Championships in each weight class that were not from a nation that qualified for the World Cup.

The Iran World Cup team will feature five senior world medalists, as well as seven others who have won world medals at the age-group levels.

The team is led by two-time world champion Kamran GHASEMPOUR at 97kg. Ghasempour won world titles in 2021 and 2022 and also won U23 world titles in 2018 and 2019.

2022 World champion Rahman AMOUZADKHALILI will wrestle at 65kg. He has also won three age-group world titles, with a U20 title in 2021 and U17 world titles in 2018 and 2019.

Three-time world medalist Alireza KARIMI is competing at 86kg. Karimi won a 2019 World silver medal, as well as claimed world bronze medals in 2015 and 2018. He was also a 2011 U17 World silver medalist.

Two-time world silver medalist Mohammad NOKHODI will wrestle at 79kg. Nokhodi lost in the 2021 and 2022 World finals to Jordan BURROUGHS (USA). He was also a 2019 U20 world silver medalist and a 2017 U17 world bronze medalist.

The other senior world medalist on the roster is 2021 World silver medalist Amirmohammad YAZDANI at 70kg. He was also a 2015 U17 world silver medalist.

Other athletes on the Iran roster who have won age-group world medals include Armin HABIBZADEH (61kg), Aliakbar FAZLIKHALILI (70kg), Mohmmadsadegh FIROUZPOUR (74kg), Ali SAVADKOUHI (79kg), Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (92kg), Amirali AZARPIRA (97kg) and Amirreza VALADI (125kg).

Iran, which placed second at the 2022 World Championships in freestyle, will be joined in the World Cup by the first-place United States, third-place Japan, fourth-place Mongolia and fifth-place Georgia, in addition to the All-World Team.

The rosters of the World Cup teams for the other nations have now all been announced by USA Wrestling.

Ticket packages for the 2022 Freestyle and Women’s Wrestling World Cup are currently on sale. The seating capacity for Xtream Arena for the World Cup will be approximately 5,300. Ticket packages include a Gold package for $275, Silver package for $200 and All-Session tickets for $90.

A special Presentation of Teams and Team USA Meet & Greet will also be held on Friday, December 9 at 6:45 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

Freestyle and Women’s Wrestling World Cup tickets -> https://worldcupiowacity.com/tickets/

Iran Freestyle World Cup team:
57 kg – Reza MOMENIJOUIJADEH
61 kg – Armin HABIBZADEH
65 kg – Rahman AMOUZAD
65 kg – Mohammadreza BAGHERI
70 kg – Aliakbar FAZLIKHALILI
70 kg – Amirmohammad YAZDANI
74 kg – Mohmmadsadegh FIROUZPOUR
79 kg – Mohammad NOKHODI
79 kg – Ali SAVADKOUHI
86 kg – Alireza KARIMI
92 kg – Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR
97 kg – Kamran GHASEMPOUR
97 kg – Amirali AZARPIRA
125 kg – Amirreza VALADI

Development

More than Medals Asia 2024 wraps up in Jordan

By United World Wrestling Press

DEAD SEA, Jordan (July 31, 2024) - The "More than Medals Asia 2024" training camp, organized by United World Wrestling in cooperation with the Jordan Wrestling Federation, was held from June 26 to July 3, 2024, at the Grand East Hotel on the Dead Sea, Jordan. This camp aimed to provide a platform for wrestlers and coaches from various countries to come together, exchange experiences, and enhance their skills in the sport of wrestling.

Participation
A total of 35 wrestlers and coaches from six countries actively participated in the training camp. The diverse representation added to the cultural exchange and enriched the learning experience for all participants.

Training Sessions
The training sessions were expertly led by UWW Educator and two-time Olympian Hassan Madany from Egypt. His vast experience and expertise provided invaluable insights and guidance to the young athletes. Through a combination of practical drills and theoretical lessons, participants were able to enhance their skills, techniques, and understanding of wrestling, making significant progress in their development.

Antidoping Seminar
As part of the camp, an antidoping seminar was conducted by officials from the Jordan National Anti-Doping Agency (JOR NADA). The seminar aimed to raise awareness about antidoping regulations and promote clean and fair competition among the athletes. Participants gained valuable insights into the importance of maintaining integrity in sports.

Lecture on Wrestler Nutrition
Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tamimi from the University of Baghdad's College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences delivered a comprehensive lecture on wrestler nutrition during and after competition. Dr. Al-Tamimi, who also led the Iraqi team at the camp, shared his extensive knowledge on dietary strategies to optimize performance and recovery. The lecture provided participants with practical advice and scientific insights, equipping them with the necessary tools to manage their nutrition effectively throughout their wrestling careers.

Coach Course
Hassan Madany also conducted a comprehensive coach course, offering theoretical material from UWW coach courses. The session included discussions on training methods, athlete safety, and the quality of coaching. Coaches had the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue, exchange best practices, and explore strategies to enhance their coaching skills and better support their athletes' development.

Sightseeing Tou
Participants enjoyed a sightseeing tour to the famous Mount Nebo, the memorial of Moses. They explored the historical site and appreciated its significance. The tour included a lunch at a restaurant with a stunning view of Mount Nebo, offering a perfect blend of cultural enrichment and relaxation. Additionally, the participants had the opportunity to learn about the local history and traditions, enhancing their overall experience of Jordan's rich heritage.

Conclusion
The 2024 More than Medals Asia training camp in Jordan was a resounding success, providing invaluable experiences and learning opportunities for all participants. Participants expressed their happiness and satisfaction with the camp, noting the positive impact it had on their development and team spirit. This camp not only focused on athletic development but also on cultural exchange and personal growth.

We extend our gratitude to the Jordan Wrestling Federation for their support and cooperation in organizing this event. The success of this training camp highlights the importance of such initiatives in promoting the development of wrestling in Asia. We look forward to continuing our efforts to support and nurture young wrestling talents in the region.