Development

Wrestling Delivers Referee Courses in DPR-Korea and China

By Tim Foley

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY (June 4) – United World Wrestling, under the expertise of Prof. Dr. Halil Ibrahim CICIOGLU - 1s-ranked referee and member of the Referee Commission - held a series of courses this month in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and China.

The courses were part of the “Referee Education Pathway” a program started last year as an effort to educate and develop future generations of referees worldwide.

“I had an excellent educational opportunity in the DPRK and China,” said Mr. Cicioglu. “I was very happy to serve the people who wanted to improve the sport of wrestling in their countries and was impressed with their excitement to learn. We look forward to seeing more of these referees at future international competitions.”

The referee course in the DPRK was the first such event organized by the nation’s national federation and met or exceeded all requirements. Last year the federation hosted a Level One Coaches Course, which was received with equal praise. The small nation produced an impressive number of referees and coaches with 16 referee candidates and a coaching seminar with 78 attendees.
 

Among the refereeing candidates was Mrs. Choe Jong Bok, was former medalist at the Asian Championships who was eager to learn more about a career as a referee. Should Mrs. Choe continue her education and become a referee she would be the first female from the DPRK to fill that role.

The referee seminar in Beijing was also a major success with more than 100 referees from around the country in attendance. The Chinese Wrestling Federation, who hosted an Olympic Qualification tournament in 2012, held the event at the National Training Center in Beijing.

Later this month the Chinese Wrestling Federation will also be hosting the China Open, a United World Wrestling Ranking Series event, in Taiyung, China. The women’s wrestling event will be held on June 22 and June 23, with a short women’s wrestling development camp to precede it starting June 17.

For more information on refereeing courses and opportunities please see below:

https://unitedworldwrestling.org/sites/default/files/wrestling_referee_brochure_eng.pdf

#WrestleUlaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar Open Ranking Series 2026: Live Streaming, Schedule, Results, Photos

By United World Wrestling Press

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (June 3) -- Wrestling Ranking Series 2026: How and where to watch the Ulaanbaatar Open 2026 Ranking Series live streaming.

The Ulaanbaatar Open in Mongolia will off June 4 with Greco-Roman in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and run till June 7. A total of 30 gold medals will be awarded in Freestyle, Women's Wrestling and Greco-Roman events.

GRECO-ROMAN BRACKETS

UWW Plus

Where to Watch the Ulaanbaatar Open Wrestling 2026 Live: Live streaming of the Ulaanbaatar Open 2026 will be on UWW’s official website (uww.org) and the official UWW App.

Subscribe to UWW+ to watch it live. Download UWW+ App on Apple's App Store | Google Play Store

Ulaanbaatar Open 2026 Wrestling Full Schedule

Day 1 - June 4 (Thursday)

Greco-Roman Qualification rounds: 55kg, 67kg, 72kg, 77kg, 82kg, 87kg, 97kg (10:30 hours onwards)
Greco-Roman Semifinals & Repechage: 55kg, 67kg, 72kg, 77kg, 82kg, 87kg, 97kg (13:00 hours onwards)
Greco-Roman Medal Finals: 55kg, 67kg, 72kg, 77kg, 82kg, 87kg, 97kg (17:00 hours onwards)

Day 2 - June 5 (Friday)

Greco-Roman & Women's Wrestling Qualification Rounds: GR 60kg, 63kg, 130kg & WW 50kg, 53kg, 57kg, 59kg, 72kg (10:30 hours onwards)
Greco-Roman & Women's Wrestling Semifinals & Repechage: GR 60kg, 63kg, 130kg & WW 50kg, 53kg, 57kg, 59kg, 72kg (13:00 hours onwards)
Greco-Roman & Women's Wrestling Medal Finals: GR 60kg, 63kg, 130kg & WW 50kg, 53kg, 57kg, 59kg, 72kg (17:00 hours onwards)

Day 3 - June 6 (Saturday)

Women's Wrestling & Freestyle Qualification Rounds: WW 55kg, 62kg, 65kg, 68kg, 76kg & FS 74kg, 86kg, 92kg (10:30 hours onwards)
Women's Wrestling & Freestyle Semifinals & Repechage: WW 55kg, 62kg, 65kg, 68kg, 76kg & FS 74kg, 86kg, 92kg (12:30 hours onwards)
Women's Wrestling & Freestyle Medal Finals: WW 55kg, 62kg, 65kg, 68kg, 76kg & FS 74kg, 86kg, 92kg (17:00 hours onwards)

Day 4 - June 7 (Sunday)

Freestyle Qualification Rounds: 57kg, 61kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg, 97kg, 125kg (10:30 hours onwards)
Freestyle Semifinals & Repechage: 57kg, 61kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg, 97kg, 125kg (12:30 hours onwards)
Freestyle Medal Finals: 57kg, 61kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg, 97kg, 125kg (17:00 hours onwards)

Ulaanbaatar Open 2026 Wrestling Ranking Series 2026 Wrestlers and Results

Click here for the full list of wrestlers competing at the Ulaanbaatar Open 2026 in Mongolia.

Ulaanbaatar Open 2026 Wrestling Ranking Series PreviewDownload Wrestling Photos

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