Athlete Commission, Burroughs, UWW, wrestling commission

New Athlete Commission Certified, United States’ Burroughs to Chair

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY (September 11) – United World Wrestling has announced seven new members of the organization’s Athletes Commission. The wrestlers were voted onto the commission by their fellow athletes at the 2017 Senior World Wrestling championships last month in Paris.

In the commission’s first act, four-time world champion and 2012 Olympic champion Jordan BURROUGHS was selected to chair the commission. Burroughs will be a voting member of the United World Wrestling bureau and replaces 2008 Olympic champion Carol HUYNH (CAN) who has served in the role since it was first established in 2013.

The Athletes' Commission was established in 2013 with the role of protecting the rights and interests of all United World Wrestling Olympic style athletes. The Athletes' Commission members reach out and communicate with active athletes as peers to collect feedback.

United World Wrestling’s Athletes Commission

Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR): Adekuoroye (along with Tunisia's Marwa Amri) became the first woman from Africa to reach the gold-medal match at the World Championships in women's wrestling, doing so in Paris. She was a world bronze medalist at the World Championships in 2015.

Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) -- CHAIR: Burroughs recently claimed his fourth world title in freestyle at the 2017 World Championships in Paris. He was an Olympic champion at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Komeil GHASEMI (IRI): Ghasemi is a two-time Olympic medalist in freestyle, claiming bronze in 2012 and silver in 2016. He was also a world silver medalist in 2014.

Arsen JULFALAKYAN (ARM): Julfalakyan, a three-time Olympian in Greco-Roman, captured a silver medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. He has also been a four-time world medalist, winning a world title in 2014.

Sofia MATTSSON (SWE): Mattsson won an Olympic bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. In addition, she has five world medals, including a world gold in 2009.

Mélonin NOUMONVI (FRA): Noumonvi is a two-time world medalist in Greco-Roman, winning a world title in 2014. He competed at the Olympic Games in 2008 and 2012.

SUN Yanan (CHN): Sun won a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in women's wrestling. She was also a world champion in 2013, and won a world bronze in 2012.

#development

Kuwait Wrestling Federation developing wrestling through education

By United World Wrestling Press

KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait (May 26) – The Kuwait Wrestling Federation hosted its first-ever education courses for coaches and referees. These courses were conducted in conjunction with UWW, Olympic Solidarity, Kuwait NOC and the Kuwait Wrestling Federation from May 21-26 in Kuwait City, Kuwait. Mr. Mohammed ADELFATTAH (USA/EGY) led the Coaching Course, while contrast, Mr. Kamel BMOUAZIZ (TUN), Vice-President of the UWW Referee Commission and President of the Arab Wrestling Federation, led the Referee Course.

The technical course for coaches was conducted May 21-25. During the course, 18 participants attended and participated in this Level 1 Course (Introduction to Coaching and Safety). The following topics were covered throughout the course: discovery games, introducing a new technique, coaching skills, giving feedback, risk management, age and developmental stage characteristics. During the course, coaches actively practiced and developed their skills through practical evaluations. Overall, the coaches gained important knowledge and skills to help them improve in their role as a coach. "Wrestling is a new sport in Kuwait. I saw a good group of past wrestlers join the course who could be good coaches in the future for the Kuwait Wrestling Federation," said Mr. Abdelfattah.

KUWAIT
Participants of the education courses for coaches and referees gather for a photo. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

The Introduction to Refereeing Course was conducted from May 23-25. The course had 16 participants (14 men and two women). The participants learned the foundations of what it takes to be a great referee. The areas covered during the course included: the safety of the athletes, evaluation of holds, referee mechanics, positioning, and controlling the bout. The participants were active during the course and could practice their skills through practical assessment. "During the theoretical lessons, the participants actively asked questions and wanted to learn. The enthusiasm and atmosphere in the course were excellent. They were constantly requesting to learn as much as possible," said Mr. Bouaziz.

After the courses, the Kuwait Wrestling Federation organized a competition on May 26, allowing the coaches and referees to practice the new skills they learned.

"On my own behalf and behalf of all my colleagues of the Kuwait NOC Executive Board, I would like to express my gratitude for hosting the Wrestling Technical Courses for referees and coaches in collaboration with Olympic solidarity, which was at the Kuwait Olympic Committee headquarters from May 21-26," said Mr. Mohamed Amir SAADI, Technical Director, Kuwait Olympic Committee. "This valuable course has been conducted by UWW experts, who do a great job."