UWW Minute

UWW Minute: Cuba's Ismael Borrero

Tuesday, April 21, 2020 - 15:59 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (April 21) -- Olympic champion and two-time world champion Ismael Borrero has had a newsworthy few months.

The Cuban Greco-Roman star won the Pan Am Championships March 6th, which earned him valuable Ranking Series points and secured him the top seed at 67kg for Tokyo 2021. The Cuban ,who won the 2016 Games at 59kg, talked about the importance of concentration no matter the level of the competition.

"Sometimes there are lesser opponents, but it's never easy. You have to compete hard every time," said Borrero. "I hope for victory and channel everything I feel inside to action on the mat."

In April, Borrero announced he had tested positive for COVID-19. He was largely asymptomatic and has since recovered. The defending world champion is now testing negative and is back at home.

"My success, my career are built on faith, courage, and perseverance," he said. "Always those things."

#WrestleParis

UWW Statement: Lalovic meets IOA President, WFI in Paris

Wednesday, August 7, 2024 - 17:37 By United World Wrestling Press

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PARIS (August 7) -- United World Wrestling President Nenad LALOVIC met with Wrestling Federation of India President Sanjay SINGH and Indian Olympic Association PT USHA in the wake of Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) disqualification from the 50kg competition after the wrestler failed the weigh-ins on the second day of her competition in Paris Olympics.

During the meeting at the Wrestling House in Paris, Lalovic said that strict rules for weigh-in on competition days were drawn up keeping the wrestlers’ long-term health in view. The rules dissuade athletes from competing in lower weight categories with weight loss methods that could impact their health in the long term.

On IOA’s suggestion that a wrestler's results from the day on which the athlete met the weigh-in requirements should not be disqualified, the UWW President was sympathetic. UWW will also discuss the suggestion at an appropriate platform but it could not be done retrospectively.

IOAUWWUWW President Nenad LALOVIC with IOA and WFI delegations at the Wrestling House in Paris.

Usha thanked Lalovic for taking in the Wrestling Federation of India’s appeal and giving her a patient hearing. She said as an athlete herself she understood the importance of the need for rules to be drawn up to protect athletes from taking health risks. She also said it was important for all athletes to uphold Olympic values and fair play.

UWW follows the set rules in all competitions including the Games. Its decision to disqualify Vinesh is in line with the rules of international wrestling, like all other instances of wrestlers failing to weigh in on the day of the competition.

UWW wishes Vinesh a speedy recovery and hopes Vinesh can continue to perform in the inspiring way she did in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.