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.

#WrestleBaku

WATCH: Chamizo training session in Tokyo

By United World Wrestling Press

TOKYO (March 26) -- Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) is preparing for the European OG Qualifiers scheduled to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan from April 5 to 7.

Chamizo, who finished fifth at the Tokyo Olympics, is looking to earn a spot for the Paris Olympics in the 74kg weight class after he failed to win the quota at the World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia last year.

As part of his preparation, Chamizo travelled to Japan to train at the NSSU campus in Tokyo. Watch his training session from Tokyo using UWW+ exclusively on uww.org and the UWW App.