#WrestleBelgrade

UWW hosts Congress before World Championships in Belgrade

By United World Wrestling Press

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 9) -- The United World Wrestling hosted its ordinary Congress Friday, a day before the World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.

UWW President and International Olympic Committee Executive Board member Nenad LALOVIC opened the Congress which was attended by 106 countries.

President of IOC Thomas BACH addressed the gathering with a message to remain united and work towards Olympic solidarity.

Lalovic, who has attended 11 executive board meetings in the last 12 months, echoed the same views during his opening remark.

Nenad LALOVICUWW President Nenad LALOVIC addressing the Congress in Belgrade. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

"We as sports lose in such [conflict] situation," Lalovic said. "Our family is not about politics but about wrestlers and fans. So we should remain united.

"Our athletes promote peace around the globe. We had problems in the past but we hope our medals will shine in the right way."

The attendees of the Congress also held one-minute silence to mourn the death of bureau member Lucio CANEVA and Francois CARRARD.

The Congress discussed the improvement of wrestling via youth engagement, women's wrestling, associated styles, the image of wrestling and digital transformation. The reports of all the different departments of UWW were also presented during the Congress.

The Congress also held the election for seven bureau members for a five-year term. A total of 122 votes were cast with the majority being 61 votes.

Out of the seven, four were re-elected which include Theodoros HAMAKOS, Karl-Martin DITTMANN, Rodika YAKSI, Namig ALIYEV. The three newly elected members were Daniel IGALI (NGR), Razvan PIRCALABU (ROU) and Zhang YE (CHN).

The Congress emphasized that to continue on their goal to be self-reliant they need overall growth with more sponsors, and engagement and take wrestling to regional and local levels.

Details of the Congress are available at uww.org.

#WrestleAmman

UWW President meets King of Jordan Abdullah II

By United World Wrestling Press

AMMAN, Jordan (August 13) -- United World Wrestling President Nenad LALOVIC met King Abdullah II of Jordan on Sunday in Amman, the host of the 2023 U20 World Championships from August 14 to 20.

Lalovic HM King Abdullah with United World Wrestling's highest decoration in recognition of his efforts in supporting sports and his belief in its role in strengthening solidarity and friendship among nations.

Jordan has played a significant role in promoting wrestling in the region by hosting world and continental championships, development camps and refugee camps.

"The feedback about the organization by Jordan has been fantastic," Lalovic said. "We are amazed by the hospitality of everyone starting with His Majesty King Abdullah, the Ministry of Sports, the National Olympic Committee and the wrestling federation. It's a major event for Jordan."

Lalovic, along with President of the Jordan Wrestling Federation Mohammed AL-AWAMLEH and the Deputy President of the federation Abdullah QUTAISHAT (JOR), attended the pre-event press conference and wished the participants luck for the tournament.

"We know that the national federation is skilled in the organization of this competition," Lalovic said. "We organized a refugee camp in Jordan five years ago. Since, we have realized that Jordan is an extremely reliable partner. We do believe that Jordan and neighboring countries are interested in combat sport and Jordan is the flagbearer."

Al-Awamleh welcomed Lalovic, confirming that Jordan will exert all its efforts to ensure the success of the championship.

"We look forward to a historic hosting of the most significant event in the history of Jordanian wrestling, and we hope that this event will mark a new beginning for the sport in Jordan," Al-Awamleh said. "Hosting an event of this magnitude is not an easy task, but the confidence of United World Wrestling, especially after Jordan organized the U15 and U20 Asian Championship, has helped."