Development

Palau Showing Support for Peace-Through-Sport Movement with White Cards

By United World Wrestling Press

Palau has been actively supporting the peace-through-sport movement by displaying a white card as part of their digital campaign to show their commitment to peace and sports efforts worldwide. 

The annual campaign recognizes the importance of the peace-through-sport movement, capturing the attention of millions of people each year through social networks in the lead up to International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP). As part of the White Card campaign, Olympians and members of the Olympic family are invited to hold up a symbolic white card and share a photo of themselves doing so on social media.

The first display of the white card was in Peleliu State during the outreach program and sports events that began on April 7 and concluded on April 9 in commemoration of Palau National Olympic Day and the third anniversary of the Emperor and Empress of Japan historic visit to Palau. Mats were provided by United World Wrestling.

On April 9, the first beach wrestling competition took place in Peleliu. After the competition, wrestlers displayed the white card as part of their Olympic support. 

The symbolic white card was displayed by students at Ngarchelong Elementary, Ngeremlengui Elementary and Ngaraard Elementary after taking part in the wrestling outreach PE program. 

According to John Tarkong Jr., Olympian and President of the Palau Olympians & Athletes Commission (POAC), "This is our way of showing the world that Palau is committed on promoting peace and sport as a means of change in Palau and the world when conducting our activities and events. This effort is also in line with the Presidential Proclamation designating 2018 as the Year of Good Health."

#WrestleAlexandria

WATCH: 10 women's wrestling from Egypt

By Vinay Siwach

ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (March 2) -- In the absence of Japan, Ukraine and China dominated the competition at the Ibrahim Moustafa Ranking Series event. Ukraine outplaced China with ease and will continue to battle for the second spot below Japan this year.

With more and more wrestlers moving into the Olympic weight classes, a few weight classes saw surprising results but some other stalwarts returned to form before the long season which also includes the World Championships.

GOLD: 50kg - Meng FAN (CHN) vs. Ziqi FENG (CHN)

GOLD: 53kg - Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) vs. Li DENG (CHN)

Semifinal: 57kg - Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) vs. Alexandria TOWN (CAN) [The gold medal bout between Town and Alina AKOBIIA (UKR) did not take place after the later pulled out injured]