#WrestleParis

Paris Olympics: Five wrestlers to be country's flagbearers at opening ceremony

Friday, July 26, 2024 - 17:48 By United World Wrestling Press

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PARIS (July 26) -- Five wrestlers will be the flag bearers of their respective nations at the opening ceremony at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Saturday.

The opening ceremony parade will take place in boats down the river Seine with Greece opening the parade followed by the Refugee Olympic Team and then the countries in alphabetic order. France, the host, will be the last in the parade. The United States and Australia, hosts for the next two Olympics, will come before France.

Albania's first world champion in wrestling Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) will be the flagbearer for his country. He will wrestle in the 57kg weight class.

For Puerto Rico, world silver medalist in 65kg Sebastian RIVERIA (PUR) will be the flagbearer alongside Jasmine Camacho-Quinn from Athletics.

Rckaela AQUINO (GUM)Rckaela AQUINO (GUM) of Guam. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Guam has given the responsibility to its first-ever female wrestler Rckaela AQUINO (GUM). She will be wrestling in the 57kg weight class.

Diamantino IUNA FAFE (GBS) will be the flagbearer for Guinee-Bissau at the opening ceremony. He wrestled in Tokyo at 57kg and will perform in Paris in the same weight class.

Honduras has given the responsibility to its first-ever Greco-Roman wrestler Kevin MEJIA (HON).

Wrestling begins on August 5 in Paris and ends on August 11.

#Grappling, #Pankration

Grappling, AMMA 2026 European C'ships in Armenia, Asians in Vietnam

Tuesday, February 10, 2026 - 07:24 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (February 10) -- United World Wrestling has announced the dates and host cities for its 2026 Grappling, Pankration and Amateur MMA continental championships.
 
The 2026 Grappling, Pankration & AMMA European Championships will take place in Yerevan, Armenia from May 24 to 31. The event will feature competitions in the U15, U17, U20, Senior and Veteran age categories, bringing together top athletes from across the Europe.

Shortly after, the 2026 Grappling, Pankration & AMMA Asian Championships will be held Da Nang, Vietnam, from June 4 to 9 June. The competition will be in all age categories barring the Veterans.

European Championships Schedule:
- 2026 Senior, U20, U17, U15 & Veteran Grappling European Championships, May 24-27 (Yerevan, Armenia)
- 2026 Senior, U20, U17 & U15 AMMA & Pankration European Championships, May 28-31 (Yerevan, Armenia)

Asian Championships Schedule:
- 2026 Senior, U20, U17 & U15 Grappling Asian Championships, June 4-6 (Da Nang, Vietnam)
- 2026 Senior, U20, U17 & U15 AMMA & Pankration Asian Championships, June 7-9 (Da Nang, Vietnam)

Importantly, both Championships will be held in only Grappling style and will not have Grappling Gi style.

Open Grappling Tournament

Vietnam will also host an open Grappling international tournament, 2026 Tri-Titans Grappling Open, from June 2 to 3. The tournament will be open to athletes of all ages from around the world.

Further information regarding event regulations, entry deadlines, and logistical details will be communicated in due course by UWW. National Federations are encouraged to mark the dates and contact UWW for any queries.