Grappling

Strategy is Key for USA Grappling's Morgan

Wednesday, September 5, 2018 - 17:56 By Marc Berman

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Morgan (USA) ready for 2018 World Championships

ASTANA, Kazakhstan (September 6th) --  John MORGAN (USA) was only 9 years old when he started traveling the world to compete in speed chess tournaments. He learned to think quick, problem solve and prepare strategically from his chess experience.

For Morgan, who will be representing Team USA at 71kg, Grappling is no different than those early days of chess. He’s forced to make decisions quickly, accessing a database of grappling knowledge while under duress. In his hunt for a world title at this week’s Grappling World Championships Morgan says he’s ready to utilize experiences in chess, folkstyle wrestling, and even surfing if it helps him capture gold.

“Running, surfing, stance motion drills, working defense from the feet, using the labels for reversals and whatever else. I am always focusing on how to integrate it all in a strategy to win against any type of opponent.”

Grappling presents a number of challenges: understanding how to successfully navigate the transitions from top to bottom, takedowns and the groundwork, leglocks and different opponents. It’s a new game for many competitors, but one Morgan says he’s tailored to his training in preparation for the world championships.

“Strategy is everything,” says Morgan. “The inner moment of realizing your not good at something sucks but, you have to go through it to get to the next level.”

Catch Morgan and the rest of Team USA this week on Flograppling.com in the United States and internationally on United World Wrestling.

 

Development

Big step in women’s wrestling leadership with new members in UWW Bureau

Wednesday, November 6, 2024 - 12:12 By United World Wrestling Press

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TIRANA, Albania (November 6) -- At the UWW 2024 Congress that took place in Tirana, Albania on the October 27, a historic milestone was achieved in women wrestling leadership.

There were seven female candidates for the UWW Bureau, the supreme body of wrestling, marking the highest-ever participation by women in the process.

Kuniko Tanioka (JPN), Annette Kure (NOR), Lise Legrand (FRA), Cholpon Sultanbekova (KGZ), Buyana Peljee (MGL), Nadine Pietschmann (SUI) and UWW Vice-President, Natalia Yariguina (RUS) took part in the race for the Bureau role.

This was the first time that Women Lead Sports alumni being elected to NF president positions and the highest registered female candidates for the Bureau in the history. Rodica Yaksi (TUR) was promoted to Vice-President and Ye Zhang (CHN) has two years left in her term.

A report on the progress made for women coaches and referees at the Paris Olympic Games through the various initiatives and programmes established by UWW Technical Assistance and Development Commission was shared with the national federations that attended the 2024 congress.

“From Tokyo to Paris, we made great strides to promote gender equality within our wrestling community. It is our duty to pave the way for our future generations for equal opportunities, no matter the gender, the religious beliefs, ethnicity, etc.,” UWW President Nenad Lalovic said. “We value and praise those who promote wrestling at all levels. We witnessed that by providing the right programmes and opportunities it strengthens our sport and our community worldwide.”