Development

Uruguay Wrestling Joins National Training Center Dedicated to Combat Sports

By United World Wrestling Press

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (October 8) -- For several years the Uruguay Wrestling Federation struggled to find a dedicated training venue to help develop wrestling. Shuttled from building to building in the capital city of Montevideo the team last trained in the corridors of the national stadium.

But after years of struggling for a secure place to train, the Uruguay Wrestling Federation led by president Dante STEFFANO, has finally found a home.

With valuable contribution and support of Secretaria Nacional del Deporte and Uruguay National Olympic Committee, the first ever combat training centre of Uruguay was inaugurated on the 30th September 2019. The centre includes space for the wrestling program.

In 2017 United World Wrestling contributed to the federations's initiative to launch more wrestling programs, receive wrestling mats, and launch a series of action plans to promote wrestling in schools and among the youth.

“We are doing our very best to support the development of wrestling in the Americas and the determination of the leaders of Uruguay Wrestling Federation, is an example of what can be accomplished aside the difficulties encountered," said Francisco Lee Lopez, president of UWW-Americas. "I am very happy to see such results despite the various factors faced in our continent.”

Planning has started for technical and refereeing courses which look to further contribute to the development of wrestling throughout Uruguay.

Training Camp in Vietnam

By UWW Development

The Vietnam Wrestling Federation in collaboration with a private company organized the “2022 Expanding Horizons World Camp” that took place in Hanoi, Vietnam from the 16th to 30th of June.

After an almost 2-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the camp was able to bring together 18 wrestlers (GR, FS, WW) from different countries such as; United States, Canada, Australia and the hosting nation, Vietnam. The camp combined several important areas from technical skills, nutritional knowledge, Olympic experience, social networking, cultural broadening, and aspirations and empowerment sessions to elevate the sport to new heights for the next generation of competitors.

Arsen Julfalakyan, PhD, UWW Athletes Commission Chairman and Bureau Member, Olympic Silver Medallist, World and European Champion coached the athletes throughout the camp.  He shared his knowledge as an Olympian while leading various sessions to expand the knowledge of the participants.

Aside the training sessions, the participants enjoyed several off the mat activities such as; a boat ride on the Red River Delta along the city of Ninh Binh, a visit to the Blue Dragon Foundation Orphanage, a cruise on the Halong Bay and much more to create bonding moments and share the Vietnamese culture.  

The intense training culminated in an individual/dual competition held on June 26-27, in which all young athletes were able to showcase their newly acquired knowledge and techniques on the mat.

The camp was a great success and showcased the value of diversifying collaboration, linking with a private sector is a great asset for the development of wrestling for the neediest national federations.

Camp VIE 2022