Development

OlympAfrica Hosts Largest Ever Wrestling Event in Ivory Coast

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY (May 17) -- United World Wrestling has partnered with OlympAfrica in Ivory Coast to host that nation's largest ever wrestling event. The two-month program includes more than 2,000 students from Soubré, Meagui and Okrouyo who are taking part in various camps and competitions until June 23. 

United World Wrestling development officer Vincent AKA, who was born in Ivory Coast and wrestled for France, is also leading a Level 1 coaching course in the country.

OlympAfrica is a foundation that has sport development centers in over 46 African countries and works in collaboration with the National Olympic Committees. It was founded based on an idea expressed by the late Juan Antonio SAMARANCH, former President of the International Olympic Committee. 

The foundation is owned by the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa and supported by the International Olympic Committee, United World Wrestling and other partners, for the development of sports at a recreational and grassroots level in many African countries.

OlympAfrica has set up centers dedicated to sports activities, workshops, HIV prevention, coaching education and much more. The aim of these centers is to involve the youth in sports and activities that are good for their future development once they have finished their day at school. It's an excellent talent identification tool, particularly with the introduction of the Youth Olympic Games in the Olympic program.

#WrestleAlexandria

WATCH: 10 Greco-Roman finals from #WrestleAlexandria

By Vinay Siwach

ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (March 2) -- The Ibrahim Moustafa Ranking Series finished last week and the Greco-Roman brought out some of the best action in the tournament. Wrestlers from Georgia, Kazakhstan, Iran and Turkey highlighted the competition with most of them winning the gold medal.

The match of the tournament can be credited to Leri ABULADZE (GEO) and Meysam DALKANI (IRI) as both went toe-to-toe before Dalkhani managed to beat Abuladze by one point in the 63kg final. Dalkhani had defeated Abuladze in the 2021 World Championships final as well.

Other finals, too, were of top class and can be watched here

GOLD: 55kg - Marlan MUKASHEV (KAZ) vs. Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ)