kouratane

Kourtane Olympic Training Facility Undergoes Expansion

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (May 27) -- United World Wrestling partner Kourtane Training Center in Finland has completed the expansion of their main training facility. The upgrade includes more than 1000 square meters of additional training and workout space for the Finnish Wrestling Team and international guests.

The aim of the wrestling hall is to allow for it to become a main location for training camps prior or post major events, especially for women’s wrestling.
 
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic its unclear when the first training camp or competition will be held in the new facility, but there is some hope that one might be hosted by year-end inviting the neighboring countries if permitted. Some camps include upper weights categories focused on women and a selection of regional preparation tournaments.

”I hope we can organize together the next training camp in KOTC before the end of 2020 after the end of the pandemic," said Antti PEKKALA Secretary General of Finnish Wrestling Federation. "I am personally working hard for the organization of the U23 Worlds planned this coming November in Tampere and to organize an international training camp in conjunction with the championship. I look forward to welcoming the UWW family to Finland”

For further information on the Kourtane Training Center and opportunities, please contact development@unitedworldwrestling.org

#WrestleParis

Paris Olympics: Five wrestlers to be country's flagbearers at opening ceremony

By United World Wrestling Press

PARIS (July 26) -- Five wrestlers will be the flag bearers of their respective nations at the opening ceremony at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Saturday.

The opening ceremony parade will take place in boats down the river Seine with Greece opening the parade followed by the Refugee Olympic Team and then the countries in alphabetic order. France, the host, will be the last in the parade. The United States and Australia, hosts for the next two Olympics, will come before France.

Albania's first world champion in wrestling Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) will be the flagbearer for his country. He will wrestle in the 57kg weight class.

For Puerto Rico, world silver medalist in 65kg Sebastian RIVERIA (PUR) will be the flagbearer alongside Jasmine Camacho-Quinn from Athletics.

Rckaela AQUINO (GUM)Rckaela AQUINO (GUM) of Guam. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Guam has given the responsibility to its first-ever female wrestler Rckaela AQUINO (GUM). She will be wrestling in the 57kg weight class.

Diamantino IUNA FAFE (GBS) will be the flagbearer for Guinee-Bissau at the opening ceremony. He wrestled in Tokyo at 57kg and will perform in Paris in the same weight class.

Honduras has given the responsibility to its first-ever Greco-Roman wrestler Kevin MEJIA (HON).

Wrestling begins on August 5 in Paris and ends on August 11.