Development

Saudi Wrestling Federation Hosts Introduction to Refereeing Course for New Female Referees

By United World Wrestling Press

Following the vision of the Saudi Wrestling Federation, headed by Mr. Mashaal Aljomaih, a five-day introduction to refereeing course for females was conducted January 31- February 04, at the Green Halls in Riyadh under the auspice of the General Manager of the Leadership Development Institute Abdullah Bin Faisal Hammad.

The introduction to refereeing course was the first course ever for new female referees in KSA. Sixteen female participants from all over the kingdom attended the five-day course in Riyadh. And it was a great opportunity to introduce them to refereeing wrestling and its basic rules.

The course was financially covered by the Saudi Wrestling Federation and the Leadership Development Institute. Saudi Federation covered the domestic flight tickets and the full accommodation for all the female participants, while the Leadership Development Institute covered all the other expenses.

The UWW Educator Sherif HALAWA from Egypt assisted by the Cat I International Referee Mohsen Yamani, Chief of Saudi referees conducted the course. The Course was also an opportunity to teach the female participants how to use the electronic Arena system during the wrestling competitions. The Cat III international referee Saud Alsuhaibi assisted Mr. HALAWA in teaching the female participants how to use the Arena system.


The Saudi Wrestling Federation hosted an introduction to refereeing course for female referees. The course lasted five days and was held in Riyadh. 

During the course, three specialized lecturers from Kind Saud University did also some sessions in 3 different topics (Sports Psychology, Sports injuries, and Sports management). The Leadership Development Institute covers all the lecturers’ expenses.

All the female participants did not practice wrestling before. Therefore, during the course there was some theoretical sessions about the wrestling rules basis, some practical sessions on the mat (however they did not have the referees’ uniform), and some practical sessions on Arena system to manage a competition. For 5 days, the female participants watched many videos about wrestling rules and some matches to let them feel the sport of wrestling.

The Saudi Wrestling Federation made a decision to assign the new female referees to the coming national competitions to work as referees, especially to manage the Arena system and to work as judge. They must gain the experience through continuous participation at competitions, and step-by-step, they'll take the whistle and work as referees on the mat soon.

#BeachWrestling

Asian Beach Games: Iran Sweeps Men's Golds; India Wins 2 in Women's

By United World Wrestling Press

SANYA, China (April 29) -- Iran swept the gold medals in men's Beach Wrestling at the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, winning all four finals.

In women's, India won two golds, hosts China one and Sri Lanka won a historic gold medal, its first of the Games which began on April and will close on April 30.

The gold rush of Iran began when Aliakbar ZAROUDI (IRI) defeated SIDDHARTH (IND) convincingly in the 70kg final, 3-0. The second gold medal came at 80kg as Ali GHOLAMI (IRI) pinned Muhammad Asad ULLAH (PAK) in the final.

In two of the matches of the day, Amirhossein KAVOUSI (IRI) defeated former Beach Wrestling world champion Muhammad INAM (PAK), 3-0, not letting the Pakistan wrestler stay in his defensive shell as he is rather used to.

The +90kg final between Seyedamirreza SAHRAEIMAHALI (IRI) and the seven feet tall Da LU (CHN) also ended in Iran winning 3-0, dashing the hopes of hosts China winning at least one gold in men's weight categories.

"It is the best gift for the people back home," said ​Iran coach Ali BAZYAR. "I hope this brings some happiness during the tough times our nation is navigating."

PRIYA (IND)PRIYA (IND) won the gold medal in +70kg weight category in Sanya. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

India Wins 2 Golds

India had two finalists in women's and both came home with gold medals. Former U17 and U20 world champion PRIYA (IND) earned the gold medal in +70kg in a thrilling final against Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL). Priya needed a late point to win 3-2 against a tiring Zorigt to give India its third gold of the Games.

The second gold came from Pushpa YADAV (IND) who stunned Asian champion and local favorite Mengyu XIE (CHN), blanking her 3-0 in the 60kg final.

But Jia LONG (CHN) made sure the host China claim at least one gold in Beach Wrestling as she won the 70kg gold medal over Thi Linh DANG (VIE), pinning the Vietnam wrestler in the final.

Sri Lanka's historic gold in Beach Wrestling was won by Nipuni HEWA PEDIGE (SRI), who held on to a 3-1 victory over Thi Kim Oanh DOAN (VIE) in the 50kg final.

“This is my first international medal, and it is a gold medal, so I am very happy with my performance," Hewa Pedige was quoted as saying by OCA.

RESULTS

Men's Beach Wrestling

70kg
GOLD: Aliakbar ZAROUDI (IRI) df. SIDDHARTH (IND), 3-0

BRONZE: Adis RAKHAT UULU (KGZ) df. Muhammad ABDULLAH (PAK), 3-0

80kg
GOLD: Ali GHOLAMI (IRI) df. Muhammad Asad ULLAH (PAK), via fall

BRONZE: Feng LU (CHN) df. Yermakhan KOSHKINBAYEV (KAZ), 3-0

90kg
GOLD: Amirhossein KAVOUSI (IRI) df. Muhammad INAM (PAK), 3-0

BRONZE: Turbold GANBOLD (MGL) df. Peilong LI (CHN), 3-1

+90kg
GOLD: Seyedamirreza SAHRAEIMAHALI (IRI) df. Da LU (CHN), 3-0

BRONZE: Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) df. Muzafar ZHAPPUEV (KGZ), 3-0

Women's Beach Wrestling

50kg
GOLD: Nipuni HEWA PEDIGE (SRI) df. Thi Kim Oanh DOAN (VIE), 3-1

BRONZE: Funa YANO (JPN) df. Priyanshi PRAJAPAT (IND), via inj. def.

60kg
GOLD: Pushpa YADAV (IND) df. Mengyu XIE (CHN), 3-0

BRONZE: Thi My Hanh NGUYEN (VIE) df. Youngjin KWON (KOR), 4-0

70kg
GOLD: Jia LONG (CHN) df. Thi Linh DANG (VIE), via fall

BRONZE: Jaspreet KAUR (IND) df. Beibit SEIDUALY (KAZ), 2-0

+70kg
GOLD: PRIYA (IND) df. Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL), 3-2

BRONZE: Wenji LI (CHN) df. Alina YERTOSTIK (KAZ), 2-0