Webinar

With Online Webinars Wrestling Finds Eager Audience

Thursday, July 30, 2020 - 13:31 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (July 30) -- A move from the mat to the home office was never planned, but for United World Wrestling the transition from mat-based training to online learning is showing positive results.

The hourlong webinars, launched in June, have a been a huge success with more than 40 being delivered by the development department across several languages and attracting viewership from all five continents. 

“Through the pandemic has proven to be challenging in a number of ways, the wrestling community has shown resilience,” said UWW Development Director Deqa Niamkey. “These are challenging times we have managed to engage coaches, referees and national federations on a weekly basis with highly renowned experts to keep our community motivated and learn best practices. We are grateful to be part of this growing wrestling family and we look forward to having everyone back on the field of play.”

In only a month the webinars are attracting an average of 160 total viewers, which is far more than the average in-person attendance seen for the majority of similar seminars. The Spanish-speaking webinar have been the most-watched averaging almost 200 viewers each webinar.

The Refereeing Commission has also launched a Webinar series with eight airing since June 22 and another four scheduled before the end of the summer. There will be translations of the videos in Russian, French, and Spanish posted to the UWW starting July 30. The new webinars will be posted every Thursday in Russian, French and Spanish. Russian will air at 14:00, French at 16:00 and Spanish at 18:00.

“UWW Education Webinars have offered the referee community all over the globe not only a convenient and modern way to learn and upskill on wrestling matters, but also an opportunity to stay again in touch during this difficult period of time, which has been much appreciated,” said UWW Refereeing Commission president Antonio Silvestri.
 
Current webinars have covered multiple aspects of refereeing, from basic skills to detailed analysis of actions and throws, which are intended to assist referees in their learning and better prepare for a return to the mat.
 

#WrestleAlexandria

Nigeria Dominates African Championships with 4 WW Golds

Friday, May 1, 2026 - 17:21 By United World Wrestling Press

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ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (May 1) -- Barring a close loss at the 68kg weight class, Nigeria put up a near flawless performance at the African Championships. Nigeria won four out of five Women's Wrestling gold medals that were on offer on Saturday while the one went to hosts Egypt.

After the U17 and U20 African Championships, the senior continental began in Alexandria, Egypt with all 10 Greco-Roman and five Women's Wrestling weight classes.

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The golden night for Nigeria began when defending champion Christianah OGUNSANYA (NGR) maintained her perfect record at the African Championships, winning the 53kg gold for the fourth time. Wrestling Nogona BAKAYOKO (CIV) in the final, Ogunsanya led 7-1 when the Ivory Coast wrestler pulled out of the final citing injury. The forfeit gave the U23 world bronze medalist Ogunsanya the victory.

At 57kg, Jumoke ADEKOYE (NGR) also became a four time African champion adding to her gold medals from 2022, 2023 and 2025. She defeated Achouak TEKOUK (ALG), 8-4, a final much closer than the score indicates.

The third gold for Nigeria came at 62kg as world bronze medalist Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR) won all four of her round-robin bouts with ease. She outscored her opponents 40-0, winning all four bouts via technical superiority.

In her first bout against Mouda HAMDOUN (EGY), who finished with a silver medalist, Kolawole used only one minute to gets a takedown and four turns to win the bout, a virtual final in hindsight.

At 76kg, Damola OJO (NGR) defended her gold medal to become a two-time African champion and win the fourth gold medal for Nigeria. She defeated Pelagie WILITA (CMR), 3-1, in the gold medal bout.

Sabah KHAMIS (EGY)Sabah KHAMIS (EGY) celebrates after beating Hannah RUEBEN (NGR) in Round 1 bout at 68kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

The only weight class in which Nigeria did not win a medal was 68kg. Local star and U20 African champion on Thursday Sabah KHAMIS (EGY) upset defending champion Hannah RUEBEN (NGR) in their round-robin bout.

In what turned out to be the match of the morning session as they met in Round 1, Khamis held on to a thrilling 8-7 victory over Rueben who now has eight African Championships medals with three golds and five silvers.

Photo

RESULTS

53kg
GOLD: Christianah OGUNSANYA (NGR) df. Nogona BAKAYOKO (CIV), via inj. (7-1)

BRONZE: Zineb ECH CHABKI (MAR) df. Latifatu MOHAMMED (GHA), via forfeit
BRONZE: Cheima CHEBILA (ALG) df. Israa SLIMI (TUN), 8-0

57kg
GOLD: Jumoke ADEKOYE (NGR) df. Achouak TEKOUK (ALG), 8-4

BRONZE: Chahd JELJELI (TUN) df. Sara ETTAKI (MAR), via fall (4-0)

62kg
GOLD: Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR)
SILVER: Mouda HAMDOUN (EGY)
BRONZE: Esraa JABRI (TUN)

68kg
GOLD: Sabah KHAMIS (EGY)
SILVER: Hannah RUEBEN (NGR)
BRONZE: Joseth MAVUNGU (ANG)

76kg
GOLD: Damola OJO (NGR) df. Pelagie WILITA (CMR), 3-1

BRONZE: Amy YOUIN (CIV) df. Rosine BODJRENOU (BEN), 10-0