#UWWLIVE

UWW LIVE: Helen Maroulis (USA), Rio Olympic Champion

By United World Wrestling Press

In 2016, Helen MAROULIS (USA) became the first American woman to claim an Olympic gold medal in wrestling by defeating three-time Olympic champion Saori YOSHIDA (JPN) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Maroulis has also won two world titles along with world silver and bronze medals. She returned to competition in 2020 and now has her sights set on the Tokyo Olympics.

Maroulis joined Eric Olanowski to talk about her history-making Olympic gold medal run in Rio and her quest at becoming the third woman to claim two Olympic gold medals. She also gave her thoughts on America's chances at dethroning the Japanese women at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
 

#development

ISF Gymnasiade in Zlatibor adds coaching seminar for Serbian coaches

By United World Wrestling Press

ZLATIBOR, Serbia (April 24) -- United World Wrestling partnered with the International School Sports Federation (ISF) to provide a coaching education seminar for Serbian coaches at the ISF Gymnasiade, which was held in Zlatibor, Serbia, from April 4-12, with the wrestling competition being held from April 6-8.

Wrestling has been a part of each of the Gymnasiade events, and the previous edition was held in Bahrain last October.

As part of the Gymnasiade events, ISF focuses on providing education to coaches and PE teachers. UWW was fortunate to give a training session for Serbian coaches at this event.

The training was led by UWW Educators Georgi SREDKOV (BUL), Neven ZUGAJ (CRO and Nenad ZUGAJ (CRO).

The seminar was attended by 23 coaches over the two sessions. The morning session focused on sound strategies for coaching and better understanding wrestling rules. The afternoon session was a practical session on the mats that focused on sharing wrestling techniques and implementing interactive games. 

Sredkov also participated in the ISF Forum on Beyond the Events: How School Sports Shape Future Leaders, which was held on April 9.

During the Forum, Sredkov discussed how wrestling helps athletes learn to find solutions to problems, how competing helps handle pressure and remain calm and focused, and the importance of collaboration for success. 

The wrestling competition was held in Freestyle, Greco-Roman and Women's Wrestling, and 303 athletes from 16 countries participated. The results can be found here.