UWW Minute

UWW Minute: Cuba's Ismael Borrero

By United World Wrestling Press

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."

#development

UWW raises awareness around 'Safe Sport' with Belgrade booth

By United World Wrestling Press

BELGRADE, Serbia (October 4) --- United World Wrestling established a 'Safe Sport' booth in the warm-up area at the 2023 World Championships, to raise awareness on crucial subjects related to Anti-Doping and Safeguarding Athletes.

Athletes, coaches, and physicians had the opportunity to scan a QR code and complete a 20-question quiz available in four languages: English, French, Spanish, and Russian. Upon completing the quiz, participants received a small gift branded with empowering messages like 'Empower, Protect, Wrestle with Respect' or 'We Wrestle Clean.'

This initiative proved to be a tremendous success, with more than 300 athletes participating in the online quiz. This figure represents approximately one-fourth of the total number of athletes present at the event.

Arsen JULFALAKYAN, Chair of the UWW Athletes Commission, played a crucial role in emphasizing the significance of creating a safe environment for all individuals engaged in wrestling. He stressed the importance of Athletes Safeguarding and asserted that it should be a shared concern for everyone involved in our sport. Mr. Julfalakyan also emphasized that we bear the responsibility of educating and empowering athletes with the ultimate goal of establishing a secure and inclusive environment in which all participants in the world of wrestling are respected, valued, and protected.