#development

More Than Medals wraps up after a week in Rome

By United World Wrestling Press

ROME, Italy (August 14) --- From August 1st to 7th, keeping with the UWW strategy focusing on youth development, the More than Medals World – Rome 2022, was held in the installation of the Olympic Training Center. "FIJLKAM" (Federazione Italiana Judo Lotta Karate Arti Marziali).

For 7 days 14 countries from the 5 continents and almost 50 wrestlers and coaches took part in the event, allowing these young athletes to exchange experiences and create good memories through different activities.

The training sessions were organized by Vincent AKA (FRA/CIV) UWW Development Officer with the help of each national coach so everybody could experience the other countries' training styles and learn new ways. A video analysis session was also carried out to enhance the ability to understand the tactical resources in wrestling.

Frank CHAMIZO (ITA), a world and Olympic medalist, joined the camp as an ambassador, shared his techniques and experience with the youth, and encouraged them to pursue their dreams in wrestling further.

Additionally, a beach wrestling session was carried out, allowing the participants to taste (literally) the sand and uniquely enjoy wrestling. Also, the athletes had fun with some group beach games.

ITAParticipants of the More Than Medals camp visit historical sights in Rome. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Different seminars were held to enrich the development of the athletes, like Wrestle for Climate, Olympic Movement Faster, Higher, Stronger, among others.

Dr. Federico Verdi carried out the Anti-Doping seminar from the Italian Committee on Anti-Doping Education, Training, and Research. His seminar was centered on general Anti-Doping rules, the rights and responsibilities of athletes and coaches (rules for minors and adults), testing procedures, clean sports values, and ethics.

For the coaches' development, five sessions of the UWW coaching clinic were dictated to continue working on the concept and nurture of coaching; they are a fundamental gear to keep athletes going with their respective sport and performance.

One day was designated for a tour of the city of Rome, where they were exposed firsthand to what is to be in one of the classic cities of the history of mankind and admire its beauty. The purpose of this activity was to get to know a different country, grasp the cultural exchange, and create open-minded individuals. They have the opportunity to taste Italian ice cream and share a good time under the sun in this emblematic city, for example.

This activity couldn't have come true without the support of the FIJLKAM (Federazione Italiana Judo, Lotta e Arti Marziali).

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

World Combat Games: Abdellatif leads Egypt’s golden hat-trick in GR

By United World Wrestling Press

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (October 24) -- Mohamed ABDELLATIF (EGY) can’t stop his medal-winning spree this season.

The 27-year-old has won a bronze medal at the World Championships in Belgrade, was crowned the African champion in May and reigned supreme at the Ibrahim Moustafa tournament on home soil. 

On Tuesday, Abdellatif added another medal after he won gold in the 130kg Greco-Roman category at the World Combat Games in Riyadh. Abdellatif was in red-hot form as he raced to the top of the podium without conceding a single point in the three bouts he competed in.

He began his campaign with a technical superiority win over Tunisia’s Mehdi BEN MOHAMED (TUN) and followed it up with a win by an identical margin over Morocco’ Anas LAMKABBER (MAR).

In the final, the Olympian was up against Ahmed TAMEEMI (IRQ). However, he wasn’t troubled much as he romped to another 9-0 win to claim the title.

Ghazi BIN BAKR (KSA) won one of the bronze medals, defeating compatriot Rayan MOHAMMED (KSA), 5-0, while Lamkabber beat Ben Mohamed to win the other bronze on offer.

Abdellatif was one of the three Egyptians who won the gold medal on the second day of competition at the World Combat Games, where Greco-Roman bouts took place. Mohamed GABR (EGY) was the winner in the 97kg while U20 world champion Moustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY) won the gold medal in the 67kg weight class.

Moustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY)U20 world champion Moustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY) won the 67kg gold in Riyadh. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari) 

Like his compatriot Abdellatif, Alameldin, too, did not concede a single point en route to the title as he defeated Faisal ALDOSSARY (KSA) via technical superiority in the final.

In an all-Saudi Arabia bronze medal bout, Saud ALSUBAIE (KSA) defeated Mesfer ALSUBAIE (KSA).

Meanwhile, in the 97kg category, Gabr beat Adem BOUDJEMLINE (ALG) via fall in another lopsided final to win gold. Tunisia’s Mohamed MISSAOUI (TUN) overcame Ibrahim FALLATAH (KSA) to win one bronze medal, with Musaad SIBAEE (KSA) beating Faisal ALAMOUDI (KSA) to claim the other bronze medal.

Ismail ETTALIBI (MAR)Ismail ETTALIBI (MAR) emerged as the 60kg champion at World Combat Games. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

In the 60kg category, Ismail ETTALIBI (MAR) defeated two home favorites in his three bouts before cruising to gold.

Ettalibi first defeated Ryan HAWSAWI (KSA), 5-3, in the quarterfinals before beating another wrestler from Saudi Arabia, Munthir JANDU, 8-3, in the last-four encounter. Ettalibi faced Yacine DRIDI (ALG) in the final, which he won, 8-3, to clinch the gold medal. Bajram SINA (ALB) and Hawsawi won the bronze medals.

Hosts Saudi Arabia had two wrestlers on the podium once again in the 77kg category but endured another heartbreak after Hassan BARNAWI (KSA) lost in the final to gold medallist Kevin KUPI (ALB) by a margin of 8-0.

While Barnawi won the silver, the bronze went to Bandar BAIHGY (KSA), who defeated Abdullah FALLATAH (KSA) 10-4 in the bronze-medal bout.

There was more heartbreak in store for the home nation after Sanad ALSIBYANI (KSA) also lost the gold-medal bout to African champion Bachir SID AZARA (ALG) 8-0 in the 87kg category.

However, in one more all-Saudi affair for the bronze medal, Abdullah ALDOSARRY (KSA) defeated Ammar HAWSAWI (KSA) 5-1 to finish on the podium.