2026 U17 World Championships

Villafane Denies Wax History, Makes His Own

Monday, August 3, 2026 - 10:25 By Vinay Siwach

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BAKU, Azerbaijan (August 3) -- Two wrestlers chasing history and with a growing rivalry met in the 45kg final. U17 world champion in Greco-Roman Rylen WAX (USA) was hoping to add the Freestyle gold as well and become first wrestler since 1983 to win golds in both styles.

Standing in his way was 15-year-old Nelson VILLAFANE (PUR), who was aiming to become only the second Puerto Rican wrestler to win a U17 world title, 51 years after the nation's first.

WATCH: Villafane's Historic Final Win at U17 World Wrestling Championships

Their rivalry began at the 2025 U15 Pan-American Championships, where they met in both the 41kg Freestyle and Greco-Roman finals. Villafane claimed the Freestyle title with a 5-4 victory before Wax responded with an 8-0 win in the Greco-Roman final.

Wrestling Nelson VILLAFANE (PUR)Nelson VILLAFANE (PUR) celebrates after winning the 45kg gold medal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

They renewed the rivalry earlier this year at the U17 Pan-American Championships, again facing each other in both styles. This time, Wax emerged victorious in both matches, edging Villafane 9-8 in the 45kg Freestyle semifinal before winning 7-5 in the Greco-Roman round-robin bout.

Wax held the head-to-head advantage but Villafane was determined to take one back. The final was off to an electric start as they searched for the breakthrough.

As no early points were scored, Wax on the first to go on the activity clock. He managed to get to Villafane's legs but failed to complete the takedown, allowing Villafane to counter with a stepout for a 1-0 lead. When Wax failed to score during the 30-second activity period, Villafane received another point to take a 2-0 advantage into the break.

Wrestling Nelson VILLAFANE (PUR)Nelson VILLAFANE (PUR) scores on Rylen WAX (USA) during the 45kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Villafane stalled the action in the second period and was put on the 30-second activity clock which he erased after scoring a takedown and lead 4-0 with 49 seconds left on the clock.

Wax drove Villafane towards the edge but the Puerto Rico wrestler circled and pushed Wax, who looked disappointed, out for a point. Wax got a stepout with 14 seconds remaining but his late desperate headpinch was blocked as Villafane scored two more points, completing a top-class 7-1 win and the U17 world title.

Click here for the full report of the U17 World Wrestling Championships 2026 

#development

Afghanistan Coaches Build Skills at UWW Level 1 Coaching Course

Tuesday, June 30, 2026 - 06:58 By United World Wrestling Press

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ALMATY, Kazakhstan (June 30) -- Eleven coaches from Afghanistan were among 21 participants who completed a United World Wrestling Level 1 Coaching Course in Almaty, strengthening the country's coaching capacity while building closer ties with neighboring Kazakhstan.

Organized through a partnership between Olympic Solidarity, the Kazakhstan National Olympic Committee, the Afghanistan National Olympic Committee, the Kazakhstan Wrestling Federation, and United World Wrestling, the course focused on developing internationally recognized coaching competencies while fostering collaboration between the two wrestling nations.

Apart from the 11 coaches from Afghanistan, coaches from Kazakhstan also joined for a comprehensive program. The curriculum covered coaching responsibilities, skill development using UWW's Key Factors teaching methodology, athlete-centered learning through discovery games, coaching self-reflection, risk management, and practical coaching assessment.

Afghanistan

UWW Educator and former world champion Mohammed ABDELFATTAH praised the participants for their commitment throughout the program.

"I was very impressed with the overall level of the participants," Abdelfattah said. "The coaches were highly motivated, actively participated in every session, and continuously asked thoughtful questions throughout the course."

Abdelfattah was particularly encouraged by the technical level demonstrated by the Afghan coaches.

"The Afghan coaches demonstrated a strong technical understanding of wrestling." he said. "After speaking with several participants, I learned that traditional wrestling is extremely popular in Afghanistan and shares many technical similarities with Olympic wrestling. This provides coaches with an excellent technical foundation for further development."

The practical sessions proved to be a particular highlight, with coaches working through technical demonstrations, problem-solving exercises, and athlete-centered coaching activities designed to strengthen both technical instruction and coaching methodology.

The Afghanistan Wrestling Federation views the course as an important step in its long-term development strategy. Dr. Yonus POPALZY, an Afghan NOC and Olympic Council of Asia member, was instrumental in the development, organization, and success of the course.

Participants highlighted the practical nature of the course and the opportunity to exchange ideas with coaches from different backgrounds.

"The course exceeded our expectations. The practical sessions and interactive teaching methods gave us new ideas that we can immediately apply in our daily coaching."