Medical Conference

Registration Open for World Wrestling Medicine Conference and Team Physician Course

Friday, July 26, 2019 - 13:24 By United World Wrestling Press

Share this article

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (July 26) -- Registration is now open for the World Wrestling Medicine Conference and Team Physician Course, which will take place October 24-26 at the University of Physical Education in Budapest Hungary, before the start of the U23 World Championships.

The event is being organized by United World Wrestling, Hungarian Wrestling Federation and the University of Physical Education, Budapest. Szabolcs Molnár is the director of the event.

Nineteen speakers from a dozen different countries will present on a variety of topics, including wrestling injuries, injury prevention, corticosteroid injections, overtraining and fatigue syndrome, doping rule violations, medical examinations, skin conditions and much more.

Participants can register through Athena for the U23 World Championships and select the box "Attend Medical Conference." A 150€ fee will be charged and includes transportation, transport, conference registration, lunch and coffee breaks, as well as certificates.

Participants who wish to attend without registering through Athena via their National Federation may fill out this form and send it to MedicalConference2019@unitedworldwrestling.org. A fee of 90€ per day for the participation in the conference will be invoiced to the applicant. The fee includes registration, conference material, lunch and coffee breaks, attendance certificate & training course certificates. Accommodation and transport are not included with the fee.

Rules and form for abstract submission:

Rules for Abstracts

Abstract Submission Form

Program Wrestling Medicine Conference

The deadline to register for the World Wrestling Medicine Conference and Team Physician Course is September 28.

Abstracts must be submitted by August 30, with the selection and announcement set for September 10.

For more information on the World Wrestling Medicine Conference and Team Physician Course, please contact MedicalConference2019@unitedworldwrestling.org.

 

 

#WrestleTirana

Proud to Break Karelin's Record: Says Kayaalp After 13th European Gold

Tuesday, April 21, 2026 - 21:34 By Vinay Siwach

Share this article

TIRANA, Albania (April 21) -- Soon after he broke Aleksandr KARELIN's record of 12 European Championships gold medals, Riza KAYAALP (TUR) was asked to go through the journey of winning 13 European gold medals in his career.

Kayaalp gave a smirk before going on to replay his journey from his first European Championships title in 2010.

"When you look back, you realize you’ve made 15 finals," Kayaalp said after winning the 130kg gold medal in Tirana. "Back then, I was just thinking whether I could win one or two medals. But then, making the final every time at the European Championships, it’s like a child being born and growing up to 15 years old.

"That’s how long this journey has been. It’s difficult. It requires great consistency. It requires respect for what you do."

UWW Plus

READ MORE: Kayaalp's 13 - New Gold Standard in Europe

Kayaalp's consistency led him to 15 European Championships finals from which he won 13, taking him past Karelin's record. Apart from 2026, Kayaalp won gold in 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2010.

"It’s an incredible feeling," he said. "This was my 15th final, and in my 15th final, I achieved my 13th title. I truly believe I’ve set a record that will be very difficult to break. This title is especially valuable to me because achieving such long-term and consistent success -- especially in Europe, where there are very strong nations -- is not easy. I’m very proud to have broken such a big record."

READ MORE: Riza KAYAALP Breaks Karelin's 26-Year Old Record 

Wrestling Tirana for the record, Kayaalp won four bouts, including a 1-1 criteria win against Marat KAMPAROV (UWW) in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, Pavel HLINCHUK (UWW) bruised Kayaalp with aggressive wrestling.

"The matches were not easy. I had tough matches," he said. "One of my matches ended 1–1. In the semifinal, I can say I was subjected to some disrespect from a strong opponent in a very intense bout. But compared to those, the final match was more meaningful for me."

WATCH: All of Kayaalp's 13 European Gold Medals

But the final followed a different script as Kayaalp used his gut-wrench to beat Darius VITEK (HUN), 7-1, and finally claim the gold after falling short in 2024 and missing the tournament in 2025.

"When it became 7-0, well, I’m an athlete who doesn’t like to concede points," he said. "I don’t like giving points away, so I managed to protect that score. I can say I went through the second period quite comfortably, and having a 7–0 lead helped."

The 16-year dominance in Europe has taken a big part of Kayaalp's career but the five-time world champion believes that his commitment sets an example for the young wrestlers in Turkiye. 

"This comes from the respect I have for wrestling," he said. "If I’m going to do this, I have to do it at the highest level. I believe this success came because I always aimed to be the best. I’ve always done it with love.

"There are tens of thousands of wrestlers in Turkiye. We’ve been able to set an example for them. That’s very important. There are also many people around the world who look up to us."

WATCH: Riza KAYAALP (TUR) vs Darius VITEK (HUN)

Though they were not present in Tirana, Kayaalp dedicated his title to his wife and daughter. He shared that when he was away from wrestling, his daughter would pray for his return to the mat.

"[I want to dedicate this medal] to my wife and daughters, who have always been by my side through both good and bad times," he said. "To my family, to my father, to everyone who loves us, to my coaches, my fellow athletes, and to the Turkish people. I dedicate this great success to all of them."