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

Wrestling with Excellence: Armenia upskills coaches and referees

By United World Wrestling Press

YEREVAN, Armenia (April 18) -- Armenia Wrestling Federation organized a coaching and referee course during its national championships with an aim to improve in respective fields. The course was done in conjunction with Olympic Solidarity and United World Wrestling

The courses, organized for the second time by Armenia, took place between March 22-31 at the Olympic Centre in Yerevan. The federation had previously organized a Level 1 Coaching Course and the Introduction to Referee Course.

The referee course was organized before the national championships and began on March 22.  The Level 2 course -- Referee Foundations Course -- was led by Alexey BAZULIN.

With 19 referee participants, the first three days of the course focused on the theoretical content and included some practice on the mat. All participants used the acquired skilled practically during the three days during the championships.

"The seminar participants worked as one team, helping each other and were involved in the work process, analyzing and applying the knowledge gained," Bazulin said.

Following the competition, the referees and coaches worked together in a joint session led by both UWW Educators. The Level 2 coaching course began on March 27 and was led by Sergei KOVALENKO.

The course had 14 participants, who covered numerous practice planning concepts in both theoretical and practical sessions. The seminar participants expressed the opinion that such seminars should be held regularly. This provides an opportunity to consolidate previously acquired knowledge, learn something new, share experiences, and analyze advanced teaching methods and other activities.