Women's Forum

UWW Hosts Women in Wrestling Forum

By Tim Foley

MEXICO CITY (December 4) – United World Wrestling hosted the Women in Wrestling Global Forum last week at the Mexico Olympic Training Centre in Mexico City. The event was funded by United World Wrestling and Olympic Solidarity, organized by the Mexican Wrestling Federation, and supported by Mexican Olympic Committee.

Aligned with the Olympic Agenda 2020, the forum focused on the promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women in the sport of wrestling with 26 female participants from 19 countries attending this event. Among the attendees were 2016 Olympic Champion Helen MAROULIS (USA), Olympian LEE Jiwoo (KOR) and two-time Olympic medallist Jackeline RENTERIA (COL).

The main objectives of this event were to:

  • provide NF women, especially at mid- and senior-level positions, with empowerment, leadership and personal efficiency skills;
  • encourage women to take a more proactive role in the sport of wrestling
  • strengthen the women in our sport network and stimulate implementation of national and regional projects for women in wrestling; and
  • advance wrestling technical knowledge

Participants also joined workshops including wrestling coaching clinics, introduction to refereeing and WADA anti-doping protocols.

“This is my first time participating in such an international wrestling event focusing on women in wrestling,” said 2012 world bronze medallist Yan HONG (CHN). “I enjoyed the refereeing introduction and on-the-mat skills practice; We also received great advice on training and preparation for the Olympic Games.

Natalia YARIGUINA, Vice-President of United World Wrestling and Chair of the Women and Sport commission; Rodica YAKSI, UWW Bureau Member and Francisco LOPEZ, President of the UWW Pan-American Council, along with Mario DE LA TORRE, Secretary General of Mexican Olympic Committee and other guests attended this forum.

"For our country to host an activity like this, it fills us with pride and commits us to continue working on the development of the Women's Wrestling," said Guillermo Diaz Gutierrez, president of the Mexican Wrestling Federation.

“We are grateful that the United World Wrestling chose us for this forum. Hopefully, it is the first of many more since its benefit is, at first sight, giving the women of our sports more tools to work in the gender equality.”

Development

India Continues to Deepen Development of Coaches

By United World Wrestling Press

NEW DELHI, India (April 15) -- The Wrestling Federation of India organized a Level 1 Coaching Course late last year. The course was led by UWW Certified Educator Ahmed KHEDHRI (TUN).

During the four days of training, the 45 participants implemented an integrated framework combining theoretical instruction and practical application, with the aim of developing participants’ coaching competencies.

The theoretical component addressed a comprehensive range of topics, including risk assessment and safety management, discovery-based learning, communication and coaching methods, effective strategies for teaching new techniques, and the roles and responsibilities of the coach.

The practical component included performance assessments and field-based training sessions designed to reinforce the knowledge acquired and apply it within realistic training environments, ensuring effective integration between theoretical understanding and practical execution.

“The participants demonstrated a consistently high level of engagement and professional commitment throughout the course," said Khedhri. "Their active involvement, openness to correcting existing concepts and acquiring new knowledge, as well as constructive exchanges of experience, contributed significantly to enhancing the learning process."

IND
Coaches at the Level 1 Coaching Course go through on the mat training in Delhi. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Comments from the participants:

“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to attend the UWW Level 1 Coaches Course,2025 at Najafgarh Stadium, Delhi. It was an enriching classroom and practical learning experience.”

  • Kamal Sehrawat

“The wrestling coaching course was informative and practical. It provided valuable knowledge about wrestling techniques, rules, training methods, fitness, and injury prevention. The Educator was highly knowledgeable, supportive, and motivating, and explained each technique clearly. The practical sessions improved skills and confidence. Overall, the course was very useful and inspiring for better performance in the future.”

  • Rajender Kumar

“This program has truly enhanced my coaching knowledge and confidence. The scientific approach, practical sessions and valuable guidance from our instructors made this journey incredible. I feel inspired to implement these learnings with my athletes. Thank you to the entire teaching team and organizers for this wonderful opportunity.+

  • Indu Choudhary