#development

Kyrgyzstan hosts 2022 Asia More Than Medals camp

Wednesday, June 29, 2022 - 11:35 By United World Wrestling Press

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CHOLPON, ATA, Kyrgyzstan (June 29) --- Aligned with the UWW strategy that is focusing on youth development, the 2022 More Than Medals U17 training camp Asia was held in Cholpon Ata, Kyrgyzstan from 23rd to 30th of June.

Eight countries, 50 wrestlers and coaches took part in this camp. Among them, six U17 Asian Championships gold medalists and one silver medalist.

Mirlan Amatbekov, Bureau member of the Wrestling Federation of The Kyrgyz Republic on behalf of the federation presented at the camp opening on the 23rd of June.

The Anti-Doping seminar was carried out by Zhagul Nazirbaeva from the national Anti-Doping agency on the 25th of June. The seminar was centered on general Anti-Doping rules, rights & responsibilities of athletes & coaches (rules for minors and adults), testing procedure, and clean sport values, ethics.

Aisulu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ), Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ), Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) and Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) joined the camp as the ambassadors on the 25th and 28th of June and shared their techniques and experience with the youngsters and encouraged them to further pursue their dreams in wrestling.

A fun activity-day was organized with the support of the Wrestling Federation of The Kyrgyz Republic. The traditional Kyrgyz culture and the nomad life were introduced, and the young athletes had a chance to cruise and swim in the famous Issyk Kul lake.

This camp once again marked the success of the continued More than Medals program that United World Wrestling has been offering to the young athletes since 2017.

KGZCamp attendees pose together for a group photo. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

‘We are very happy to join this More than Medals Asian camp in Cholpon Ata, we learnt a lot during this camp and hope to enhance our performance in the upcoming championships. The hospitality and the organization of this camp was amazing. On behalf of the Indian wrestling federation coaches and athletes, we are very thankful for United World Wrestling organize such high standard camp.’ Shyam Budaki, wrestling coach of India.

‘I like this training camp very much. A big thank you to United World Wrestling for giving me such a great experience. We learn a lot of wrestling techniques from each other and made friends with participants from other countries, we will be missing each other.’ Nurudinova Aidai, women’s wrestling 53kg athlete from Kyrgyzstan.

As part of United World Wrestling’s commitment in advancing wrestling development in youth, the More Than Medals program has been resumed after 2 years of the COVID pandemic. The program aims at delivering high-level training camps at continental and world levels with added social, cultural activities, Anti-Doping education, nutrition advice, leadership skills and more.

‘This age period has the highest dropout rate for young athletes, and the More than Medals program aims to keep these athletes in wrestling and help them realize their full potential as wrestlers. More importantly, the theme ‘fun and friendship’ runs through the program, after all, these athletes are all under 17 years of age.’ Deqa Niamkey, UWW Development Director, ‘We invested a lot in youth development with an aim to secure the future of wrestling.’

KGZMore Than Medals attendees spend time together off the mat. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

A special thank you to the Wrestling Federation of The Kyrgyz Republic for hosting such an amazing camp for the U17 athletes from all over Asia.

The More Than Medals World training camp will be organized in Rome from the 1st to 7th of August.

Development

South-East Asia & Oceania Education Week: A Vital Step in Wrestling Development

Monday, October 14, 2024 - 12:21 By United World Wrestling Press

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PERTH, Australia (October 14, 2024) – The South-East Asia & Oceania Education Week, held in Perth from September 30 to October 4, marked a significant milestone in the growth and development of wrestling across the region. Representatives from seven Oceania nations—Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Nauru, Tahiti, and the Marshall Islands—and a participant from Singapore gathered to foster collaboration and enhance wrestling expertise. For many, it was their first UWW certification in years, adding even more impact to the event.

The week was packed with essential courses focused on both technical and administrative skill development. The Level 3 Coaching Course, led by UWW Educator and USA Wrestling Gold Level Coach Marty Huack, provided advanced coaching strategies, emphasizing elite training methodologies and periodization. Participants gained valuable insights to elevate their coaching approaches and optimize athlete performance at the highest levels of competition.

The Level 2 Referee Course, delivered by UWW 1S Referee and local expert Stefan Rudevics, focused on refining officiating skills. Attendees deepened their understanding of rules, decision-making processes, and match management, significantly enhancing their capabilities for future tournaments. Additionally, Youssef Bouaziz, a UWW IT Specialist, led an IT Course that equipped participants with the digital tools essential for modern sports administration, including proficiency in the Arena platform for managing both national and international events.

AUSParticipants pose for a photo after the conclusion of The South-East Asia & Oceania Education Week. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

One of the week's standout moments was the opportunity for referees and IT participants to apply their newly acquired skills at the Australian Youth National Championships, which ran concurrently with Education Week. This live event setting allowed participants to gain hands-on experience, reinforcing their training and building confidence in real-time scenarios.

Feedback from the attending nations emphasized the significant professional growth experienced by participants, who valued the interactive, hands-on format of both the coaching and refereeing courses. The IT course, which focused on leveraging the Arena platform, was also highly praised for its practical application. During a feedback forum at the event's conclusion, participants expressed strong enthusiasm for future educational opportunities, reflecting their dedication to ongoing development.

Beyond technical training, Education Week fostered a deeper sense of unity and collaboration within South-East Asia and Oceania wrestling communities. By bringing together representatives from across the region, the event strengthened relationships and reinforced a collective ambition to raise wrestling standards. This spirit of cooperation enhanced individual skills while laying the groundwork for future growth and partnerships.

The success of South-East Asia & Oceania Education Week underscores the importance of regional collaboration in advancing wrestling development. We look forward to welcoming even more participants in future editions as we continue to elevate the sport across South-East Asia and Oceania.