UWW Five-Year Strategic Plan: Enhance Women's Wrestling, Transform Digitally

Wednesday, November 10, 2021 - 08:38 By Eric Olanowski

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (November 10) -- As United World Wrestling moves into another Olympic cycle after completing a successful Tokyo Olympics, it is keen on taking the next big step.

At the bi-annual Congress, held on the eve of the U23 World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, UWW revealed its extensive five-year plan to enhance the sport. It has identified five key areas of focus over the next five years.

The areas identified following a comprehensive outreach program are women's wrestling, digital transformation, youth engagement, associated styles and the image of wrestling.

The five areas will be the priority at every competition through 2022-'26. The organization will implement a system to track the progress. United World Wrestling will provide national federations with roadmaps and resources that aim to help move forward together.

UWW Congress was held in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Enhance and Empower Women's Wrestling

In line with the International Olympic Committee's focus on gender equality, UWW aims to create an optimal inclusive environment to achieve gender equality. Women's wrestling and its growth are a significant part of that program.

With the objective to communicate the potential of women's wrestling and create inclusivity at the sporting and organizational level, UWW will analyze the areas that can boost women's wrestling growth.

UWW's top priority before Paris Olympics is to identify the blockers in the growth of women's wrestling and the potential drivers that can provide that boost. It also plans to share inspiring case studies and launch women's achievement awards.

On the sporting front, the technical committee will review and adapt training methods and techniques, develop more female coaches, analyze rules for WW and review event presentation and delivery for all women competitions.

UWW Tech UWW is keen on a digital-first approach. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Embrace and Foster Digital Transformation

With a digital-first approach, UWW has achieved a pathbreaking system aiming to transform the sport and organization using digital tools.

Moving forward, it will create a roadmap by analyzing the current landscape and identifying the challenges that may arise, given the complex nature of the sport.

The inclusion of all stakeholders is essential to achieve a digital transformation with national federations, commissions, and even wrestlers. Therefore, UWW will build a universal understanding of the digital-first approach.

An internal team will be formed, where they'll be responsible for setting goals and preparing the stakeholders. They will also be responsible for reinforcing the technology adaptation at all levels.

It will be a huge step in fostering a digital culture, and with the support of national federations, training will be provided. By monitoring the trends, UWW can analyze the areas in which more work is needed.

UWW is also in the works to create a digital transformation dashboard to measure the global status and progress it makes with these changes.

More than medals

Elevate and Inspire Youth Engagement

As the future of the sport lies in the hands of youth, UWW has made it a priority to reach out and engage youth for the future of our sport. The objectives outlined by UWW are to develop entry pathways for youth, connect and enhance youth competitions.

For that, UWW will encourage more schools to have wrestling programs, inspire more girls to wrestle, and even prepare programs between countries. It also aims to connect via demonstrating shared values, promoting youth wrestling stories and creating youth awards.

UWW will analyze industry best practices, test new event activation ideas at competitions of all styles and age categories, and evaluate the impact to enhance youth competitions.

Grappling is one of UWW's most important Associated Styles. (Photo: UWW / Max Rose-Fyne)

Support and Connect Associated Styles

Given the history of the sport, UWW embraces many different wrestling styles and aims to grow all styles under one umbrella.

For the best results in associated styles, UWW will clarify the objectives by capturing the current landscape of the different styles around the world and gathering input on the priorities and objectives.

It also aims to establish better connections by creating a global UWW Summit for all styles and fostering knowledge and best practices. Connecting all styles remains a priority for the organization, and it will keep testing new approaches for that.

UWW will review the competition system and increase cross-promotion by facilitating education about different styles to create synergy and a win-win situation for every style.

Revamp and Reinforce Image of Wrestling

UWW has done it before and now it is time to take it to the next level. In a need to be better at showcasing the strengths of both wrestling and UWW, it will showcase the unique and attractive image of wrestling to audiences worldwide.

At the first step, UWW will clarify the image gap and revamp it. The organization then plans to reinforce and multiply the message about the sport and how it's run.

It is undoubtedly a process, but to determine how it wants to be looked at, UWW will analyze how it is seen in the current scenario. Clarifying the image gap will also need to the gap internally and externally.

By identifying the intangible strength of wrestling, UWW aims to produce new and attractive material and have new activities to showcase its image.

A huge part in promotion is played by the national federations, and UWW will support them and seek to develop new partnerships to amplify the new image. It will also create awards to share positive stories.

While UWW will not lag in these initiatives, only a united effort will be needed to support and activate activities at the regional and national levels. It has invited all national federations to send regular feedback and even share ideas to make wrestling a better sport.

#WrestleBelgrade

Zare sets up final with Petriashvili after blanking Akgul

Saturday, September 16, 2023 - 21:07 By Ken Marantz

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 16) -- For the third straight year, Amir ZARE (IRI) had to take on Taha AKGUL (TUR) in the semifinals at freestyle 125kg at the World Championships. For the second time, the Iranian came out on top, even by the same score.

Zare forged a 4-0 victory over defending champion Akgul in the tournament's first major clash of titans -- and secured the bonus of a berth for Iran at next year's Paris Olympics -- on Saturday, the opening day of the nine-day tournament in Belgrade, Serbia.

Zare set up a showdown in Sunday's final at the Stark Arena with the other member of the Big Three at 125kg, Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO), who will be looking to avenge a loss to Zare in the 2021 final.

"I hope I can wrestle well tomorrow and not make my last year's mistake and present a beautiful gold medal to my dear people," Zare said through an interpreter.

Petriashvili, who has not made the top of the podium since winning three straight titles from 2017 to 2019, advanced with a tough 8-6 win over young Mason PARRIS (USA).

In the other Olympic weight class in action Saturday, another classic duel was set up at 86kg between defending champion David TAYLOR (USA) and Hassan YAZDANI (IRI), who have combined to win every world and Olympic title in the weight class dating back to 2017.

The tournament is serving as the first qualifying event for the 2024 Paris Olympics, with five quotas on offer in each Olympic weight class. The winners of the semifinals automatically secured one for their national federation, while the bronze medalists and the winner of a playoff between the losers of the bronze-medal matches will secure the remaining three.

Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) defeated Taha AKGUL (TUR) 4-0 in the 125kg semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Zare assured Iran a place in Paris at 125kg with a solid win over Akgul, his fellow bronze medalist at the Tokyo Olympics who is among the most successful heavyweights in history. At 32, Akgul is Zare's senior by a decade, but he showed last year he was not going to allow a changing of the guard so easy.

Akgul, the 2016 Olympic champion, beat Zare 4-2 in the semifinals a year ago in Belgrade en route to his third career world title. That avenged a 4-0 loss to Zare from the previous year.

On Saturday, Zare repeated his 2021 win when he received an activity point in each period, then closed the deal with a takedown with 40 seconds remaining.

"I dedicate this win to all of the dear people of Iran and to all who waited for this victory," Zare said. "I lost this match by mistake last year but thanks to god, with the help of coaches, a ready body and a good analysis, we were able to go according to plan and I implemented this analysis."

Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) celebrates after beating Mason PARRIS (USA) in the 125kg semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

For Petriashvili, his win prevented a repeat of his nightmarish loss in the Tokyo Olympic final to another young American, Gable STEVESON (USA), who pulled off a last-second 10-8 victory to deny Petriashvili an Olympic gold after placing third in 2016.

Steveson, who retired after the 2022 NCAA Championships to pursue a career in professional wrestling, had "unretired" and earned a place on the U.S. team to Belgrade. But he became a late withdrawal, opening the door for Parris, the 2019 world U20 champion.

Parris gave Petriashvili a fight that he probably did not expect. Parris led 4-1 and 6-4 at certain points of the second period before Petriashvili went ahead on criteria 6-6 with a key takedown with 44 seconds left, then added a late 2 in the final seconds.

Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) overcame Myles AMINE (SMR) in the 86kg quarterfinals. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 86kg, neither Taylor and Yazdani had to go the distance in defeating Asian opponents who had otherwise looked very impressive in making the semifinals in a weight class with 48 entries, the former winning by fall and the latter by 10-0 technical fall.

"We're back at it, this is what people want to see," Taylor said. "This is what I've been training for, this is what Hassan has been training for. It's going to be another epic battle."

Yazdani, who had relied on stepouts for the bulk of his points in his earlier bouts, went into full-out takedown mode and scored three in taking a 7-0 first-period lead against Javrail SHAPIEV (UZB). A takedown and a stepout in the second period and the match was over at 4:04.

David TAYLOR (USA) pinned Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) in the 86kg semifinals. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Taylor needed slightly more time against Asian champion Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) and struggled a bit in the early going. Taylor had to settle for an activity point and a 1-0 lead in the first period, but got through Dauletbekov's defenses and scored a pair of takedowns off single-leg attacks in the second.

After the second takedown, Taylor applied a half-nelson and pried Dauletbekov over before securing a fall in 4:37. The victory was a repeat of last year's semifinal Taylor won 12-0 en route to his third world gold.

"It was almost identical to the match last year," Taylor said. "These guys have a good plan. They spend a whole year preparing for two people. You just have to stay patient and be smart. Everyone's got a trick or two, but I've been doing it for a while, so you feel those things and keep building."

Against Yazdani, Taylor has the upper hand when it comes to their career meetings, holding a 4-1 record. Yazdani's lone win was a 6-2 decision in the 2021 final in Oslo.

Zain RETHERFORD (USA), blue, controlled his semifinals for a 7-0 win over Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM). (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

In the non-Olympic weights, Zain RETHERFORD (USA) will get a chance to win the gold medal that eluded him at 70kg last year when he bunched all of his points in the first period and cruised to a 7-0 victory over Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM).

Retherford scored with a takedown, then went to a grapevine ride. Andreasyan stood up, providing an intriguing situation that backfired when, at the edge, Retherford spun him down to the mat for a 4-point move. An unsuccessful challenge added the seventh point, and that was how it stayed until the end.

In the final, Retherford will face the other Yazdani in action on Saturday -- Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI), a distant cousin -- who put on a takedown clinic in a 13-2 technical fall over Ramazan RAMAZANOV (BUL).

"I don't scout too much, I know who he is, I know he's been in the world final before," Retherford said of Yazdani. "He's a great wrestler. He's a Yazdani. I'm just excited for that. I know these Iranian fans are going to be excited and I just have to go do my thing."

Things got heated between Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) and Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) in their 70kg quarterfinals. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Yazdani, the 2021 world 65kg silver medalist, used a powerful single to score three takedowns in the first period, after one of which he immediately transitioned into a gut wrench, to take a 9-1 lead into the second period. A stepout, unsuccessfully challenged, and a shuck-by takedown ended the match at 4:39.

That avenged a 7-6 loss to Ramazanov in the semifinals at the Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov International in Bulgaria in March.

"I had lost to this wrestler and it was more like a revenge thing for me," Yazdani said. [My coaches] arranged a good program for me and I wrestled according to that program."

Vitali ARUJAU (USA) defeated Asian champion Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) 12-2 in the 61kg semifinals. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

The 61kg final will see a clash between 2021 world champion Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (AIN) and Vitali ARUJAU (USA), an NCAA champion this year at Cornell University who is making his senior world debut. Both advanced with technical fall victories.

Magomedov scored four takedowns in the first period, then got the fifth 46 seconds into the second to finish up a 10-0 win over European bronze medalist Shota PHARTENADZE (GEO).

Arujau completed his mission in the first period against Asian champion Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ). After taking a 4-2 lead, he gained a single-leg takedown, secured a lace lock and reeled off three rolls for a 12-2 victory in 2:36.

"I think my build and my style were a pretty good counter [to his attacks]," Arujau said. "I was able to get to a lot of multiple attacks and create these flurries that may have looked really chaotic, but I was planning out where I was going. There was just a lot of good wrestling out there."

Day 1 Results

Freestyle

61kg (27 entries)
GOLD: Vitali ARUJAU (USA) vs. Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (AIN)

Semifinal - Vitali ARUJAU (USA) df. Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) by TF, 12-2, 2:36
Semifinal - Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (AIN) df. Shota PHARTENADZE (GEO) by TF, 10-0, 3:46

70kg (30 entries)
GOLD: Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) vs. Zain RETHERFORD (USA)

Semifinal - Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) df. Ramazan RAMAZANOV (BUL) by TF, 13-2, 4:39
Semifinal - Zain RETHERFORD (USA) df. Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM), 7-0

86kg (48 entries)
GOLD: Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) vs. David TAYLOR (USA)

Semifinal - Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) df. Javrail SHAPIEV (UZB) by TF, 10-0, 4:04
Semifinal - David TAYLOR (USA) df. Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) by Fall, 4:37 (7-0)

125kg (33 entries)
GOLD: Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) vs. Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO)

Semifinal - Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) df. Taha AKGUL (TUR), 4-0
Semifinal - Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) df. Mason PARRIS (USA), 8-6

UWW Five-Year Strategic Plan: Enhance Women's Wrestling, Transform Digitally

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Zare sets up final with Petriashvili after blanking Akgul