Medical Conference

Wrestling Holds Medicine Conference; Commission Announces Key Collaboration

Tuesday, October 29, 2019 - 14:00 By United World Wrestling Press

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BUDAPEST (October 29) -- The World Wrestling Medicine Conference and Team Physician Course Program met last week in Budapest with 65 participants from 35 countries delivering a total of 22 presentations, 16 courses and one on-the-mat workshop over the program’s three days of events.

The conference was chaired and directed by Dr. Babak Shadgan and Dr. Szabolcs Molnar of the United World Wrestling (UWW) Medical and Anti-Doping Commission. 



A variety of topics were introduced across the three-days of conference presentations and team physician lectures. Prof. Dr. Nicola Maffulli focused on understanding, managing and preventing common injuries in wrestling, while Dr. Amir Pakravan tackled overuse and fatigue syndrome in wrestling; Dr. Eckart Diezemann focused on spinal injuries; and Dr. Reza Naghavi on the transmission of bloodborne illnesses. Other talks included reviews of prevention of common wrestling injuries, proper sports nutrition and updates on anti-doping regulations. 

Dr. Shadgan presented on the importance of proper referee decisions in stopping dangerous actions, and prevention of wrestling injuries. 

The conference also welcomed Kirsty Burrows (IOC consultant) and Dr. Judith Goss who brought attention to the discussion of on athlete safeguard and psychological harm in sports.



UWW 1S Referee and dentist Dr. Aviram Schmuely discussed about dental injuries and prevention in wrestling, also providing his refereeing point of view on medical issues.

When the Medical Commission met on Sunday the discussions focused on the review of the medical coverage the 2019 events, review of the recorded injuries, possibility for UWW certified team doctors to enter the FOP, the anti-doping program and the opportunity for developing Wrestling for visually impaired athletes.

The medical management of Wrestling competition was also discussed with the aim of helping doctors of local organizing committees earn proper training to take care of the medical coverage necessary for national and international tournaments. Dr. Pakravan also lead a discussion on how to properly care for an injured athlete when they are unable to leaver the mat on their own power, and Dr. Akos Santha discussed the principles of travel medications for teams.

The UWW Medical Commission also met in Budapest, announcing a first-of-its-kind collaboration with Sponsor Defense Soap.
 

Defense Soap CEO Guy Sako presented a document sharing his knowledge and experience on the prevention, education and treatment of skin infections within wrestlers. The research was then wrapped into an agreement between United World Wrestling and Defense Soap to develop an established Hygiene protocol for international wrestling to implement by the summer of 2020.

“This is a first for United World Wrestling Medical Commission to work closely with a sponsor that has extensive field knowledge and to work together to develop something positive long-term for the well-being of wrestlers worldwide,” said Shadgan. “We are excited about the effort.”

#JapanWrestling

Another Ono rises: Konami follows brother's footsteps

Friday, August 29, 2025 - 02:52 By Ikuo Higuchi

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TOKYO (August 27) -- When you think of the name Ono from Shimane Prefecture, many will recall Masanosuke ONO (JPN), a world champion who is quickly becoming a global star, who now primarily competes in the United States.

Ono's younger sister Konami, who was undefeated in the national tournament during her elementary school years, is just like her brother. She went on to attend Nippon Sport Science University Ohka High School in Tokyo, where she grew up steadily, winning the Inter-High School Championships in 2023 and also winning silver at the U17 World Championships the same year.

A shoulder injury caused her to slow down, but through repeated practice at Nippon Sport Science University she regained her former strength and won the East Japan Student Championships and the All Japan Amateur Championships [women's competition is open to university students as well] last week.

Konami ONO (JPN)Konami ONO (JPN), left, won a silver medal at the 2023 U17 World Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Being coached by 2004 Athens Olympic bronze medalist Chikara TANABE and Kaori ICHO, she described herself as being in "the best environment."

Ono had been suffering from pain in the right shoulder and had to undergo a surgery in June last year. She had initially aimed for a comeback last year at the All Japan Championships [Emperor's Cup] in December, but was forced to withdraw. She returned to competition in April of this year at the Junior Queen's Cup U20, where she won one match, but lost the next match to a junior from high school by technical superiority.

"There were times when my shoulder would dislocate just by walking. It was a frustrating year," said Ono with her voice becoming teary, as if the pain had returned. "I'm happy because I was injured and couldn't wrestle for a while," she said but added, "I realized I need to practice more and get stronger."

Inspiration from brother Ono

While she was off the mat, Konami watched her brother Masanosuke win the gold medal at the U20 World Championships in 2024 and later become the world champion at 61kg at the Non-Olympic World Championships.

"It's not something I could ever imitate," she says, and although he is someone she should "admire" rather than "target," he is also someone close to her, having competed alongside since childhood. "I want to study hard and catch up," she says.

Konami ONO (JPN)Konami ONO (JPN) with world and Olympic champion Jordan BURROUGHS (USA). (Photo courtesy: Masaharu Ono) 

Earlier in spring, Konami accompanied her older brother to the United States, where he trains at Pennsylvania State University. She was still recovering and was unable to train, but she watched her brother's win against 2024 Paris Olympic silver medalist Spencer LEE (USA).

"I thought American wrestling was really amazing. It was inspiring," she said.

What made the biggest impression on Konami was how much fun her brother seemed to be having wrestling, even though he was in a foreign country.

"He really enjoys wrestling," she said. "I was amazed that there are people who love wrestling that much [laughs].

"My brother is my role model," she said. "I often watch his techniques and aspire to be like him."

What she finds particularly impressive is his speed, and the way he unconsciously develops his techniques. She herself sometimes has trouble deciding what to do next during a match, but her brother's body moves without a second thought. "I need to be able to come out with techniques one after the other," she said.

Training with Fujinami, Onishi

While Ono found his path in the United States, Konami is thinking of firmly establishing herself in Japan.

"I think that if I stay at Nippon Sport Science University, I will become really strong," she says, believing that his current environment is the place where she can develop the skills to compete on the world stage.

Not only is there an impressive coaching staff, but there are also world-class athletes such as 2024 Olympic champion Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) and Asian champion Sakura ONISHI (JPN) in the 57kg and 59kg weight class, respectively. Fujinami won gold at the Olympics in 53kg.

"I practice with Akari every day. She's really strong..." she said, admiringly, and when she's not sparring, she's always following Fujinami's movements to study them.

Since they are both in the 57kg weight class, could she challenge Fujinami as early as the All Japan Championships in December? To that question, she gave no clear answer, saying, "I'm not at the level where I can fight yet..." and said that she might move up a weight class as her body grows, so it's still up in the air, but perhaps the day is approaching when the middleweight trio, including Onishi, will take to the world stage.

Rather than setting big goals, her current goal is to "compete in many matches and enjoy wrestling." She says that she is actually enjoying it, so perhaps she is getting closer to her brother's level. Her next concrete goal is the All Japan Women's Open Championships in October.

She vowed to make a leap forward, saying, "I want to train both my body and mind and become even stronger. I want to become a star from Shimane Prefecture!"