Beach wrestling

No Beach, No Problem

By Marc Berman

SARIGERME, Turkey (October 6th and 7th) --  St. Louis, USA to Sarigerme, Turkey is a long trip- don’t tell that to Michael PETERS (USA).  He was happy to make the trip if it would mean another chance to compete for his first world championship title. After being stopped short for a 5th place finish in the Senior Men’s 70kg last year, Peters has his eye on gold.

“This year my strategy is to slow the matches down and be more selective with my shots. The footing is different in the sand, your reaction time is slower.”

Training for the beach style is not always a simple task logistically, with no beaches near by his home, to find sand to practice on Michael makes use of a local volleyball court. “Half of my training time is spent with my college team in folkstyle and half is independently on the sand on the volleyball court. In the sand, I focus on practicing throws that can work on the beach because some throws do not work as well.”

Being used to traveling around the United States to find tournaments in folkstyle and freestyle, Michael is excited for the potential of taking part in the Beach Wrestling World Series starting next year and traveling to beaches around the world.

Watch the medal rounds live tomorrow in United World Wrestling. The matches start at 7am GMT.

 

#development

ASDEC Chair Niamkey Leads Workshop on Sports Development

By United World Wrestling Press

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (May 9) -- Collaboration, innovation and open exchange was at the heart of a two-day workshop, organised by the ASOIF Sport Development and Education Commission (ASDEC) on May 5 and 6 in Lausanne, Switzerland. The meeting brought together more than 60 participants from 30 International Federations (IFs) for two days of peer exchange and practical discussion on key issues shaping the future of sport development.

Held in a collaborative and informal setting, the workshop focused on topics including coach development, officiating, National Federation support, and the evolving delivery of sport development programme.

During the workshop, Olympic Solidarity hosted roundtable discussions giving participants an opportunity to exchange feedback, ideas and perspectives on existing programmes and future collaboration opportunities.

Participant feedback strongly highlighted the value of the workshop as a trusted environment for open discussion, practical learning and networking across International Federations. Many participants - particularly first-time attendees, but also experienced delegates who had attended numerous workshops - emphasised the importance of having a collaborative and non-political space in which to share challenges, ideas and experiences openly.

ASDEC Chair Deqa NIAMKEY, Development Director at United World Wrestling, highlighted after the workshop:

"The ASDEC Workshop 2026 was a great success, offering International Federations a wide range of relevant topics, including updates on the current trends and landscape of sports business industry, participation programmes, and strategies for entering new markets," Niamkey said.

"The workshop also fostered meaningful discussions with key partners focused on the development and growth of our sports. It continues to serve as an important platform for networking, exchanging ideas, sharing best practices, and transferring knowledge, all in line with ASOIF’s broader good governance strategy."

The workshop concept is fully aligned with the third strategic pillar of the ASOIF Strategy 2026–2032, which focuses, among other priorities, on developing and modernising platforms for shared learning and adding value by addressing member priorities and sector developments.

Read More: From AI to Officiating, ASOIF Workshop Explores Future of Sport Development