#BeachWrestling

PHOTOS: Bird, Beats, Beach and Wrestling in Dakar

By Vinay Siwach

DAKAR, Senegal (June 22) -- Wrestling in Senegal? Nothing new to the country. It is the most popular sport, at least the traditional one. The stands are filled, music blaring, wrestlers are superstars in the country and people love it.

The second edition of the African Championships in Beach Wrestling traveled to Dakar, Senegal. More than 100 wrestlers entered to compete for the glory of becoming the champion of the continent.

But there is so much to wrestling in Dakar outside the two rings on the sand. The colors, music, cheering, dance and crowd are inseparable.

Obviously, there is wrestling with big throws, tackles, takedowns.

DakarPhoto: United World Wrestling / Helena Courtis

Wrestling remains the same. Mat, sand, mud, ice. Those throws are supreme. Here's an example.

 

DakarPhoto: United World Wrestling / Helena Courtis

Once you get thrown like that, you will be covered in sand. So you need to wash it. We got water right next to the rings.

 

DakarPhoto: United World Wrestling / Helena Courtis

Outside the sand rings, no one should be that serious in wrestling. No way in beach wrestling. Come on, Mouhamed BAYO (SEN).

 

DakarPhoto: United World Wrestling / Helena Courtis

We managed to convince him. Look at that flex. Thanks, Bayo!

 

DakarPhoto: United World Wrestling / Helena Courtis

The National Arena de Lutte in Dakar came prepared. The traditional Senegalese wrestling begins with the sounds of drums. There was no other way to begin during the opening ceremony at Beach Wrestling. Adding to the drums, some colors and music. Nothing better.

 

DakarPhoto: United World Wrestling / Helena Courtis

At all wrestling venues, a battle ensues. It's between the wrestlers and security. Are the wrestlers more well-built or the policemen? We will let you decide.

 

DakarPhoto: United World Wrestling / Helena Courtis

Back to wrestling. Do you think this is a point?

 

DakarPhoto: United World Wrestling / Helena Courtis

Thankfully, you are a referee only by looking at the screen in front of you. On the sand, our referees need to be as quick, both with their decisions and stepping away from the line of action.

 

DakarPhoto: United World Wrestling / Helena Curtis

If someone mentioned a story about how a wrestler in Dakar managed a bird to sit on his head with no trouble, no one would believe that. But here you are, a wrestler in Dakar with a bird sitting on his head. Our photographer captured it so we have to believe.

 

DakarPhoto: United World Wrestling / Helena Courtis

In the end, it is about being happy after watching wrestling. These kids surely enjoyed it.

Well, if you are looking for the results from the matches, here's the link for all the results. CLICK HERE

#WrestleCoralville

How to Watch 2026 Pan-American Championships Live

By United World Wrestling Press

CORALVILLE, IOWA, United States (May 6) -- The 2026 Pan-American Championships will be held at the Xtream Arena, Coralville, Iowa from May 7 to 10.

Greco-Roman will kick off the competition with eight weight classes in action on Thursday and Friday will host the remaining two Greco and six Women's Wrestling weight classes. Four Women's Wrestling and three Freestyle weight classes will be on the mat on Saturday before Sunday sees remaining seven Freestyle weight categories.

UWW Plus

Full 2026 Pan-American Wrestling Championships Schedule

Day 1, May 7 (Thursday):

Greco-Roman Qualification Rounds (10:00 hours onwards): 55kg, 60kg, 63kg, 67kg, 77kg, 82kg, 87kg, 130kg
Greco-Roman Semifinals & Repechage (13:00 hours onwards): 55kg, 60kg, 63kg, 67kg, 77kg, 82kg, 87kg, 130kg
Greco-Roman Finals (17:00 hours onwards): 55kg, 60kg, 63kg, 67kg, 77kg, 82kg, 87kg, 130kg

Day 2, May 8 (Friday)

Greco-Roman and Women's Wrestling Qualification rounds (10:00 hours onwards): GR 72kg, 97kg & WW 50kg, 55kg, 57kg, 62kg, 68kg, 72kg
Greco-Roman and Women's Wrestling Semifinals & Repechage (13:00 hours onwards): GR 72kg, 97kg & WW 50kg, 55kg, 57kg, 62kg, 68kg, 72kg
Greco-Roman and Women's Wrestling Finals (17:00 hours onwards): GR 72kg, 97kg & WW 50kg, 55kg, 57kg, 62kg, 68kg, 72kg

Day 3, May 9 (Saturday)

Women's Wrestling and Freestyle Qualification Rounds (10:00 hours onwards): WW 53kg, 59kg, 65kg, 76kg & FS 61kg, 74kg, 86kg
Women's Wrestling and Freestyle Semifinals & Repechage (13:00 hours onwards): WW 53kg, 59kg, 65kg, 76kg & FS 61kg, 74kg, 86kg
Women's Wrestling and Freestyle Finals (17:00 hours onwards): WW 53kg, 59kg, 65kg, 76kg & FS 61kg, 74kg, 86kg

Day 4, May 10 (Sunday)

Freestyle Qualification Rounds (10:00 hours onwards): 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg, 92kg, 97kg, 125kg
Freestyle Semifinals & Repechage (13:00 hours onwards): 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg, 92kg, 97kg, 125kg
Freestyle Finals (17:00 hours onwards): 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg, 92kg, 97kg, 125kg

PAN-AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026 PREVIEW

All wrestling action will be live on UWW+ and you can subscribe to it. Click here to subscribe to UWW+. However, in the United States and Canada, the competition will be live on FloWrestling.

Download the UWW+ app from App Store | Play Store.

The brackets for Freestyle, Greco-Roman and Women's Wrestling will be released by UWW on May 6, 16:00 hours local time.

UWW Preview for the Pan-Am Wrestling Championships: DOWNLOAD PREVIEWREAD HERE | WRESTLING PHOTOS 

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