Development

United World Wrestling Wins MBR Creative Sports Award, $250k for Development Work

Tuesday, November 27, 2018 - 14:50 By United World Wrestling Press

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DUBAI (November 27) – United World Wrestling has won the "MBR Creative Sports Award" for best initiative for an International Summer Olympic International Federation. The award, one of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, was in recognition of United World Wrestling’s development program “More than Medals” a Cadet-level wrestling initiative active on five continents in 2018.

The award, worth $250,000, was announced as part of the MBR Creative Sports Award 10th annual award and is the “primary sports award dedicated to inspiring creativity in sports in the UAE, Arab countries, and worldwide.”

“We are very grateful for this recognition and see it as sign that our hard work in reaching young athletes is having a positive effect,” said United World Wrestling president and IOC executive board member, Nenad Lalovic. “The MBR Creative Sports Award will go far in helping expand the reach of our development department.”

A young athlete waits for additional training during a session at the More than Medals camp last summer in Zagreb. (Photo: Max Rose-Fyne)

Mustapha Larfaoui, Member of the Award's Board of Trustees, and Chairman of the Arbitration Committee thanked all participating nations, athletes and federations.

"We are pleased with the growth achieved in the number of candidates locally, at Arab level and internationally, as well as the keenness of sports institutions and federation to participate through its initiatives and programs dedicated for youth.”

The 2018 More than Medals program ran from February to July and impacted more than 200 young wrestlers and coaches to qualify for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The "MBR Creative Sports Award" award is named for His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, Patron of the Award and H.H Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the UAE National Olympic Committee. The award was created and increase and strengthen innovation and creativity in sports at the Arab level and internationally through honoring the innovators and excellency in sports work.

#WrestleSantiago

WATCH LIVE: 2023 Pan-American Games, Day Three

Friday, November 3, 2023 - 12:52 By Eric Olanowski

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SANTIAGO, Chile (November 3) --- Paris Olympians Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) and Tatiana RENTERIA (COL) headline the entries for the five weights--WW 53kg, WW 62kg WW 76kg, GR 60kg and GR 77kg--that’ll take the mat on the third day of the Pan-American Games.

Yepez and Renteria are both on a quest to become their nation’s second-ever Pan-Am Games gold medalists.

Yepez, who qualified for the Paris Olympic Games through her bronze-medal finish at the 2023 World Championships, is the unquestionable favorite to win gold at 53kg. This season, Yepez medaled in six consecutive events, including gold medals at the Pan-American Championships, the Egypt Ranking Series event and the Poland Open.

Yepez lucked out with her draw, as she is on the opposite side of the bracket as the three other 2023 Pan-American Championship medalists--Betzabeth ARGUELLO (VEN) and Karla ACOSTA (MEX).

Renteria, a 2023 world bronze medalist and Paris Olympic qualifier, is trying to become the first Colombian woman to win a Pan-Am Games gold medal since 2007. To erase that drought, Renteria must get past Kyle WELKER (USA), a two-time age-group world medalist, in the semifinals. If she gets past Welker, it’ll likely set up a Pan-Ams finals rematch with reigning champion Milaimy MARÍN (CUB).

The final women’s wrestling weight we’ll see on Friday is 62kg.

Without reigning Pan-American champion Karla GODINEZ (CAN), two-time world runner-up Kayla MIRACLE (USA) becomes the targeted favorite. Miracle’s biggest test will come in the semifinals, where she’ll face the winner of 2023 Pan-American finalist Nathaly GRIMAN (VEN) and ten-time Pan-American medalist Lais NUNES (BRA)

On the Greco-Roman side of the competition, fans will see 60kg and 77kg on Friday.

In the 60kg brackets, Pan-Am silver medalist Jeremy PERALTA (ECU) sits comfortably on the top side, opposite Raiber RODRIGUEZ (VEN) and Kevin DE ARMAS (CUB), who were both Pan-American bronze medalists this season.

The biggest storyline to follow at 77kg is the quarterfinal meeting between Kamal BEY (USA) and Yosvanys PEÑA FLORES (CUB). The last time these two met, Bey defeated Pena to win Pan-Am gold.

Wuileixis RIVAS (VEN) and Jair CUERO (COL), who were bronze medalists at this year’s Pan-American Championships, sit on the bottom side of the bracket and could meet in the semifinals if they remain unbeaten.

Everything you need to know:
- Watch Friday’s action: Women’s wrestling 53kg, 62kg and 76kg // Greco-Roman: 60kg and 77kg
- 2023 Pan-American Games brackets
- Upcoming bout order