#development

Singapore hosts Coaching Course ahead of Beach Wrestling World Series

By United World Wrestling Press

SINGAPORE, Singapore (June 15) – The Wrestling Federation of Singapore in partnership with United World Wrestling hosted a Level 2 Coaching Course prior to the Beach Wrestling World Series Event.  With hosting a major competition for the first time in Singapore, it provided them a unique opportunity to also partner with UWW to provide education and to help develop their coaches.  The Wrestling Federation of Singapore has been very active in the past year. They participated in the courses and camps at the SEA Championships last December and recently participated in the SEA Games.  They have been looking to grow and develop the sport and this event provided a way to further develop their coaches.

The Level 2 Course was conducted by Mr. Zach ERRETT (USA) – UWW Education Manager.  The course had 16 participants (14 men and 2 women).  “The coaches in the course did an outstanding job! They were eager to learn, worked hard to improve, and showed great growth over the 5 days,” said Mr. Errett. 

SINGParticipants of the course go through an introduction and use of the seven basic skills in wrestling. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

The course was centered around many topics related to planning and delivering training sessions. The topics included improving coaching skills, introduction and use of the seven basic skills in wrestling, an introduction to performance analysis and how to use that in planning, theoretical framework to planning, practice plan activities, strength and conditioning within plans, and mental development of the wrestler. "Coaching is a transformative journey that unleashes the hidden potential within individuals, guiding them towards their own path of greatness. We express deep gratitude to Coach Educator Zach Errett and the UWW Development Department for their invaluable support in helping us achieve this remarkable growth. Zach's wealth of knowledge and impactful teaching style empowered our coaches with insights and experiences that resonated profoundly." Said Gabriel Huang, Director of Operations for Wrestling Federation of Singapore.

“It was extremely insightful and engaging. Thoroughly enjoyed the sharing sessions by the instructor as well as the other coaches so that we can learn from one another and improve on our individual coaching skills respectively,” said Caryl Li.

“Extremely informative and helpful for my journey as Coach. I now have tools and a greater network to fall back on if I ever face any challenges. This gives me the confidence and knowledge to tackle these hurdles,” said Christian Rodriques.

“Amazingly useful for everyone's future. I have learned way more than I expected coming in. I'm incredibly pleased with the course,” said Cassiano Laureano.

“Absolutely eye-opening! The course provided in-depth training on various techniques, strategies and coaching methodologies. On the other hand, the practical sessions allowed us to apply the concepts we learned. In short, I believe, the course was well organized and provided enriching experience,” said Ali Parvin

sinWrestling fans gather for the photo at the Beach Wrestling World Series event in Singapore. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

With hosting the Beach Wrestling World Series competition, it gave the Singapore Wrestling Federation an opportunity to promote wrestling to their community. During the competition and in between sessions, the coaches from the course delivered Wrestle4Fun activities. Wrestle4Fun is a programme to introduce wrestling through fun games and activities. In between sessions of the competition, the coaches were able to get kids out onto the sand in the field of play.  During that time, they played a number of Wrestle4Fun games and had an opportunity to learn about wrestling and beach wrestling.

“Overall, this was a great event!  It is always fun to work with many great coaches that are even better people. With the competition, it gave them a chance to really promote the sport to the community and children.  I am excited to see how they will continue to grow and raise the level of wrestling in their country," said Mr. Errett.

#Grappling

Grappling Gi: Prendes doubles up as world champ; Gudanatov stunned

By Vinay Siwach

NOVI SAD, Serbia (October 15) - Whether it is Gi or No-Gi, it seems that Carlota PRENDES LARIOS (ESP) is making a habit of winning gold medals.

After winning double-gold at the 2024 World Grappling Championships, Prendes Larios repeated the feat in 2025, winning gold in Gi and No-Gi competition in Novi Sad.

The Spanish grappler won the 53kg gold in No-Gi on Tuesday with a dominant performance and continued the same form in Gi. She won her first two bouts via submission and in the final against Zuzanna KOWALSKA (POL) and won via submission.

She began by top control in the first minute but was called passive, giving one point to Kowalska to lead 2-1. She moved to a back mount and then performed a rear naked choke for submission to claim the gold medal at 53kg.

At 90kg, Tatiana KABANOVA (UWW) made amends and won gold medal after finishing with silver in No-Gi event. She was defeated by Alena VLASOVA (UWW) in that competition but Kabanova managed to remain unbeaten in a three-grappler bracket.

She defeated Vlasova via submission in the first bout and then won 3-1 against Justyna SITKO (POL) to claim the gold medal.

Gudanatov stunned

Defended 130kg world champion Abu GUDANATOV (UWW) was stunned by Bilal KURBABAGAMAEV (UWW) in thrilling final at 130kg. Gudanatov tried to set up a choke but Kurbabagamaev never gave up position and got two points for a controlling Gudanatov on ground.

As the two remained in the same position, Kurbabagamaev was called passive two times in which he failed to score. However, he still led 2-2 on criteria as he had a bigger scoring action than Gudanatov's sequence of one points.

But in the last minute, Gudanatov was called passive and cautioned one point which gave Kurbabagamaev a clear 3-2 lead in the final which he defended to win the gold medal.

In another thrilling final, Shamil MAZHIDKHANOV (UWW) defeated Eldar RAFIGAEV (MDA), 5-3, to win the gold medal at 100kg. Mazdhikhanov scored the first two points for control but he was called passive on top which made the score 2-1. But he managed to move into a side mount for three points and lead 5-1.

With only intention of defending his four-point lead, Mazhidkhanov was docked two more points for passivity but he won 5-3 and captured the gold medal.

At 71kg, making his senior debut, 20-year-old Stefanos VAVILIS (GRE) stunned Sandor LAKATOS (HUN), 2-1, in the final and win his first gold medal.

RESULTS

Men's Grappling Gi

71kg
GOLD: Stefanos VAVILIS (GRE) df. Sandor LAKATOS (HUN), 2-1

BRONZE: Said ZAIPULAEV (UWW) df. Kevin MARTIN TINOCO (ESP), 5-2
BRONZE: Zaur AKHMEDOV (UWW) df. Nico PULVERMUELLER (GER), 2-2

100kg
GOLD: Shamil MAZHIDKHANOV (UWW) df. Eldar RAFIGAEV (MDA), 5-3

BRONZE: Konstantin LI (KGZ) df. Pavel SLANINA ANTON (ESP), 9-3
BRONZE: Khasan ZAPIROV (UWW) df. Ramazan ABDRAKHIMOV (KAZ), 4-1

130kg
GOLD: Bilal KURBABAGAMAEV (UWW) df. Abu GUDANATOV (UWW), 3-2

BRONZE: Alexandr ROMANOV (MDA) df. Abraham COBY MARTINEZ (ESP), via submission (6-2)
BRONZE: John HANSEN (USA) df. Ioannis KARGIOTAKIS (GRE), 8-4

Women's Grappling Gi

53kg
GOLD: Carlota PRENDES LARIOS (ESP) df. Zuzanna KOWALSKA (POL), via submission (6-1)

BRONZE: Anorbi GRISHINA (UWW) df. Giulia ANGIOLINI (ITA), 7-3
BRONZE: Radomira OSTANINA (UWW) df. Evelina FLORIAK (UKR), 9-1

90kg
GOLD: Tatiana KABANOVA (UWW) 
SILVER: Justyna SITKO (POL)
BRONZE: Alena VLASOVA (UWW)