Development

United World Wrestling's Commitment: Empowering Athletes and Coaches for the Paris Olympics

Monday, July 22, 2024 - 19:17 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (July 22) -- In a remarkable demonstration of dedication and support for athletes, United World Wrestling (UWW) has played an important role in helping athletes qualify for the upcoming Paris Olympic Games. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Olympic Solidarity, National Olympic Committees (NOCs), and UWW Development, a total of 213 athletes and coaches benefited from the UWW Technical Assistance for the continental qualifiers and participated in acclimatization camps ahead of the continental qualifiers for the Paris Olympics.

In total, over 200,000 CHF has been invested globally in helping athletes qualify for the Games via continental qualifiers. This substantial financial commitment underscores UWW's unwavering dedication to nurturing wrestling talent and fostering elite-level development of the sport worldwide.

Athletes Qualified for the Paris Olympic Games
The result of this concerted effort has been outstanding, with 9 athletes under UWW financial support from 4 different nations successfully qualifying for the Paris Olympic Games.

The following athletes have secured their spots at the Paris Olympic Games via the continental qualifiers:

  • Chaimaa Fouzia Aouissi (ALG)
  • Bacar Ndum (GBS)
  • Diamantino Iuna Fafe (GBS)
  • Oussama Assad (MAR)
  • Gaku Akazawa (SAM)
  • Tayla Tuahine Ford (NZL)
  • Genesis Rosangela Reasco Valdez (ECU)
  • Darian Toi Ruz (PUR)
  • Ethan Adrian Ramos (PUR)

In addition, last year, through UWW Technical Assistance provided during the Senior World Championships (1st phase of the Paris OG qualifier), 3 athletes secured their qualification for the Paris Olympic Games. These athletes are:

  • Sebastian C Rivera (PUR)
  • Otgonjargal Dolgorjav (MGL)
  • Tatiana Renteria Renteria (COL)

In total 12 athletes benefited from the UWW financial support qualified spots for the Paris Olympic Games.

Refugee Athletes
With the support of Olympic Solidarity, the following refugee athletes have also qualified and will be part of the Refugee Olympic Team:

  • Iman MAHDAVI
  • Jamal VALIZADEH

Empowering Female Coaches at Elite Level
In addition to the athletes, the Olympic Solidarity and UWW Women in Sport High-Performance (WISH) program has made a significant advancement for gender equality in wrestling.

Three WISH program coaches attended the continental Olympic qualifiers:

  • Marwa Amri (TUN)
  • Carissa Holland (AUS)
  • Happiness Enugu Burutu (NGR)

This initiative marks a significant step forward for the sport of wrestling, contributing to the expansion of elite female coaches participating in high-level international competitions.

Safeguarding Athletes at Olympic Qualifiers
In alignment with IOC recommendations, United World Wrestling (UWW) has taken proactive measures to safeguard athletes participating in championships and Olympic Qualifiers. Dedicated staff members have been stationed at these events to provide vigilant oversight and ensure athletes' safety, protecting them from any form of harassment or abuse.

UWW's steadfast commitment to athlete welfare extends beyond competition success, prioritizing their well-being and creating a secure environment conducive to athletic excellence. By implementing these measures, UWW upholds the principles of fairness, respect, and integrity, fostering a culture where athletes can thrive and pursue their Olympic aspirations, reinforcing the organization's role as a guardian of athlete rights and dignity on the global stage.

United World Wrestling's comprehensive support system, encompassing financial aid, technical assistance, and development programs, has been crucial in helping athletes and coaches achieve their dreams of qualifying for the Paris Olympic Games. This initiative not only highlights the global reach and impact of UWW but also underscores its commitment to fostering talent and promoting gender equality and inclusion in the sport of wrestling. As the countdown to the Paris Olympic Games continues, the success stories of these athletes and coaches will undoubtedly inspire future generations of wrestlers worldwide.

More than 1000 Wrestlers in Saudi Arabia's Biggest Competition

Wednesday, February 25, 2026 - 16:40 By United World Wrestling Press

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (February 24) -- Saudi Arabia organized its largest wrestling competition to date with more than 1000 wrestlers participating in the 10-day event.

The Saudi Wrestling Federation organized the event from February 8 to 17 with wrestling in Freestyle, Greco-Roman and Women's Wrestling. The age groups included U12, U17, U23 and senior level.

The tournament was also open to government and private clubs which surged the number of wrestlers participating. The clubs included wrestlers from different nationalities. According to the Saudi federation, 1,173 wrestlers participated with 1,034 male and 139 female wrestlers.

Over the 10 days, 1,491 matches were conducted using the official UWW Arena competition management system to ensure professional organization, transparency, and technical accuracy.

"The number of registered wrestlers in the Kingdom has doubled in recent years," Sherif HALAWA, UWW Certified Educator & Head of Sports Performance of the Saudi Wrestling Federation, said. "This development has already produced historic achievements, including Saudi Arabia’s first-ever Asian silver medal at the U20 Asian Championships."

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, which termed the event as National Championships, has made steady success recently. It has also managed to grow wrestling at grassroots, women’s participation, referee development, and high-performance pathways.

"The technical level of Saudi wrestlers has improved significantly in recent years," Yusup ABDULSALAMOV, Senior Manager of High Performance at the Saudi Olympic Training Center, said. "There are promising talents capable of achieving strong international results in the near future. Saudi wrestling is clearly on the right path."