Development

Jordan Hosts Level I Technical Course

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY (May 10) – The Jordanian Olympic Committee with the support of Olympic Solidarity and in collaboration of the Jordan Wrestling Federation, hosted a Level I technical course for coaches  February 4-8 in Amman.

The course was conducted by UWW Educator Batbayar BUYANDELGER (MGL) and gathered 21 participants and was followed by an "Introduction to Refereeing" conducted by fellow UWW Educator Sherif HALAWA (EGY).

Jordan is among the first nations to benefit from the launch of the development initiative to assist developing nations in organizing national wrestling competitions. To ensure that lessons were well-received the participants at both courses took part in the organization and delivery of the competition, which included 20 cadet and junior level boys and 7 national referees.

The budget of $3000 was allocated for the event, with the Jordan Wrestling Federation offering positive feedback on their experience.  

In order to encourage grassroots development of smaller wrestling national federations, UWW is encouraging countries to organize at least one competition per year, and when possible that will be supported and assisted by UWW in conjunction of an Olympic Solidarity Technical Course for Coaches.

“The aim is to promote the sport of wrestling in Jordan and the region. Middle-East countries have a strong wrestling history with great potential for development, this is why we want to assist them in their development process.” said Ms. Deqa Niamkey, UWW Development Director. “ Following the first project in Burundi, we received many requests of technical courses for coaches and a high demand to host national competitions right after the educational courses. UWW expert educators, are contributing tremendously to this growth and I trust these events will contribute tremendously to the growth of wrestling.”

Akgul elected President of Turkish Wrestling Federation

By Eric Olanowski

ANKARA, Turkiye (December 18) --- Taha AKGUL (TUR) today was elected the President of the Turkish Wrestling Federation at the 6th Regular and Financial General Assembly of the Turkish Wrestling Federation held at the Anadolu Hotels Esenboğa Thermal in Ankara.

Akgul retired from his wrestling career four short months ago at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after successfully winning his third Olympic medal. The 34-year-old native of Sivas, Turkiye, won Olympic gold in Rio 2016 and then back-to-back bronze medals at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics. Akgul is also a three-time world gold medalist and 11-time European champion.

"I am very happy to have been elected president by the representatives. Together, with my team, I will do my best for the sport of wrestling with passion and hard work,” Akgul stated to United World Wrestling shortly after the elections.

According to the Turkish Wrestling Federation’s Instagram page, Akgul received 189 out of 288 votes. Former three-time world champion Celcuk CEBI (TUR) received 92 of the remaining 99 votes, while the remaining seven were nullified.

“The full members of the new board of directors of the federation under the presidency of Akgul are as follows: Mesut Ozarslan, Abdullah Şanli, Arslan Narin, Murat Şahin, Huseyin Kaya, Şems Sezal, İsmail Yagbat, İhsan Gurol Guey, İbrahim Demirturkoğgu and Ahmet Yildirim,” stated the TWF.

For more information regarding Akgul's election and other news from Turkiye, see the Turkish Wrestling Federation's Instagram page.