WELCOME TO THE WRESTLING ACADEMY
The Wrestling Academy is an initiative established under the leadership of United World Wrestling’s President Mr Nenad Lalovic.
The vision of the Wrestling Academy is to develop a global workforce of trained individuals, knowledgeable and competent at applying their skills and enabling the continued global growth of the sport of wrestling.
United World Wrestling’s desire is to elevate the stakeholders’ knowledge of the discipline of wrestling through the creation of tailored programmes relevant for the global wrestling family.
All nations will have the opportunity to benefit from these programme pathways as they are progressively developed.
UNITED WORLD WRESTLING DEVELOPMENT & EDUCATION
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DEVELOPMENT DEPARTEMENT
The core mission of the UWW Development Department is to grow wrestling worldwide by providing a framework for increased participation, enhanced promotion, and global competitive success in the sport. The department focuses its work on education, high performance & training, technical assistance & financial subsidy, youth development and social inclusion at a global scale.
Led by Mrs Deqa Niamkey, UWW Development Director, the development team comprises 6 development staff, consultant coaches, and 55 mission-based world-renowned experts.
The UWW Development Department is also the main workforce in developing and managing the UWW Academy together with the UWW IT department.
Deqa NIAMKEY
Development Director
Vincent AKA
Development Officer
Carissa HOLLAND FULLER
UWW Devlopment Officer Oceania
Lei LIANG
Development Manager
Yuri MAIER
Sports and Development Officer
Zachary David ERRETT
Education Manager
Olzhas BEISEMBAYEV
Sport and Devlopment Officer Asia
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
The General Affairs Department is in charge of all matters related to governance, legal, disciplinary, anti-doping, members and institutional relations, as well as the general administration of the federation. It coordinates the work of the Medical, Prevention & Anti-doping Commission and the Legal & Ethics Commission.
Carlos ROY
General Secretary
Yannick GOLLARD
Finance and Accounting Manager
Julien DUCHOUD
Licence and translations
Isabelle DUSSON
Human Resource
Judith DUCHOUD
Licence and Nationality department
IT DEPARTMENT
The IT Department oversees technology system at all UWW events and major events, arena and Athena systems including the internal support for the UWW headquarters.
Sébastien GUENAT
IT Director
Emmanuel VEYRAT
IT Manager
Youssef BOUAZIZ
IT Specialist
Slaven DOKMANAC
Content Publisher
SPORT DEPARTMENT
The Sport Department oversees all matters related to competitions, events, Olympic Games, allocation of events, bidding and hosting agreements, while making sure the events comply to the required conditions. It coordinates the work of the Technical, Beach Wrestling, Associated Styles Referees Commissions.
Jean Daniel REY
Sports Director
Ramil AHMADOV
Senior Competition Manager
Tristan MORARD
Sports Coordinator
Yauheniya MENHEL
Competition Manager
Antonina BOSSER
Sports Coordinator
Onur SIMSEK
ASO Manager
MARKETING & COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT
The Marketing and Communication Department oversees sponsorship, marketing, branding while communication with the various stakeholders on the current affairs and news. It coordinates the work of the Marketing and Media Commissions.
Gordon TEMPLEMAN
Marketing and Communication Director
Rita PIVORIUNAITE
Marketing and Communication Coordinator
Florian BAKOUR
Digital Project Manager
UNITED WORLD WRESTLING CERTIFIED EDUCATORS
The UWW Educators are a group of high-level coaches and referees from around the world. They were endorsed by either their National Federation, UWW Continental Councils and UWW Coaches and Refereeing Commissions. They are the main force for conducting the UWW educational courses world-wide.
All of UWW Educators have attended and successfully passed the Educator Course with a sound understanding of pedagogical approach and deliver the content in a dynamic and interactive way.
Most of the UWW Educators are active in their professions, which allows enhanced experience of the participants through real-world examples.
The UWW Educators come from diverse backgrounds and can accommodate a variety of different languages for the courses.
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AFRICA
Mohamed Kamel BOUAZIZ
Charles VILLET
Sherif HALAWA
Christian Lazare DANGA
Akuh PURITY
Hassan Ibrahim MADANY IBRAHIM
Marwa AMRI
Juan Maren DELIS
Ahmed KHEDHRI
Sherif is a UWW Referee (category IS) and a UWW Educator from Egypt. He officiated as a referee at the first Youth Olympic Games in Singapore (2010), 10 World Wrestling Championships, 16 Continental Wrestling Championships and many other international events. He most recently refereed at the Tokyo Olympics. He has been a referee since 2014 and a category IS referee since 2017. Sherif is a Technical Specialist at the Saudi Wrestling Federation since 2017. He currently serves as Technical Director, Head of Sports Performance for the Saudi Wrestling Federation.
South African-born Charles has been part of the wrestling family for 46 years, 38 of which as a referee. He is also an educator and an assistant instructor. He was South Africa’s Chairperson for the National Referee Council. He also proudly served at the Tournaments the few times he represented the UWW. His most outstanding achievement - in his opinion - was his participation in the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games in Rio and Tokyo, but the Commonwealth Games and Senior World Championships were remarkable as well. Charles also received the Golden Whistle award for his outstanding job as a referee at the 2019 World Championships. South Africa South Africa Rio (BRA)
Hassan is one of the most successful wrestlers from Africa. He was a 5-time gold medalist in the African Championships. He won a gold medal at the 2005 & 2009 Mediterranean Games. Hassan was a 2-time Olympian (Beijing, London). In 2012, he began his coaching career as a coach of the National Wrestling Team of Egypt. He served in the role through 2013 and then one additional year in 2017. Hassan then became a National Coach for Morocco and worked from 2014-2016. Since 2018, he has been the National Coach of Saudi Arabia. He has worked with Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestlers.
Marwa has been a high-level wrestler for many years. She has participated in 4 Olympic games, 11 World Championships, and 14 Continental Championships. She earned a bronze medal in the Rio Olympic Games in 2016, a silver medal at the Senior World Championships in 2017, and has 12 African titles. Marwa has attended more than 80 training camps during her career. Marwa also has a sports instructor diploma from Tunisian Ministry of Youth Sports and has been a sports teacher since 2011.
Ahmed has served in many capacities within the Tunisia Wrestling Federation. He has worked as the National Technical Director for 13 years, President of Technical Commission for 6 years and 2 years as the National Freestyle Coach. He has attended training camps in Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Poland, and Iran. He has participated as a coach in over 40 major international competitions including 2 Olympic Games, 7 World Championships, and 14 Continental Championships. Ahmed has a 3rd degree wrestling coach diploma for the Tunisian Ministry of Youth, Sports & Physical Education. He has a Master’s degree in Sports Training & Physical Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Experimental Sciences. He currently works as a sport teacher in Tunisia.
Akuh Purity was a former wrestler for Nigerian Wrestling Federation until 2010. Starting in 2013, he became the national coach for Nigeria. During his tenure as coach, he had athletes qualify for the Rio and Tokyo Olympic Games. One of his athletes earned a Silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Akuh has also coached at multiple continental championships and Commonwealth games. He has had athletes earn gold medals in both competitions. In addition to coaching, Akuh has diplomas in Sports Science from Federal University and Leipzig University. Silver Medal
Arabic (Native): Kamel Bouaziz is a native Arabic speaker, which not only facilitates effective communication in his roles within Arab countries but also enhances his cultural understanding and connection.
French: Proficient in French, Bouaziz's language skills extend to one of the major languages of international diplomacy and sports administration. This proficiency likely aids him in his roles within the Union of French-speaking Wrestling Federations (UFLL) and other international contexts.
English: Bouaziz's proficiency in English indicates his ability to communicate effectively in this global language. This skill is particularly valuable in his international roles, such as serving as a member of the refereeing commission of the International Wrestling Federation (UWW) and his involvement in various global wrestling events.
Italian: The inclusion of Italian in Bouaziz's language repertoire suggests additional linguistic versatility. While the specific contexts of his Italian language use are not detailed, this skill may contribute to his ability to engage with a diverse range of individuals and communities within the wrestling community.
As a coach, bureau member, and president, Bouaziz has demonstrated strong leadership skills. He has led wrestling teams, contributed to the decision-making processes in various committees, and assumed the role of president, highlighting his ability to guide and inspire others.
With a career that spans coaching, refereeing, and leadership in wrestling, Bouaziz possesses an in-depth understanding of the sport. His coaching achievements, international refereeing roles, and leadership positions indicate a comprehensive knowledge of wrestling techniques, rules, and strategies.
In roles such as coach, bureau member, and president, effective communication is crucial. Bouaziz likely possesses strong communication skills, enabling him to convey instructions to athletes, collaborate with committee members, and represent the sport on an international level.
Bouaziz's involvement as a coach, referee, bureau member, and president suggests versatility and adaptability. He has successfully navigated various facets of the wrestling world, showcasing flexibility in his contributions to the sport.
Achieving the "Exceptional" level as an international referee, obtaining leadership roles, and earning accolades like the Golden Whistle highlight Bouaziz's strategic thinking and decision-making abilities, both on and off the mat.
Whether coaching, refereeing, or serving in leadership capacities, Bouaziz's career indicates a dedication to the development of wrestling. This includes contributing to the growth of individual athletes, regional wrestling committees, and international federations.
Serving in various international capacities, including roles with UWW, CMLA, and UFLL, underscores Bouaziz's ability to collaborate on a global scale. His involvement in Olympic Games, World Championships, and other major events showcases a commitment to fostering international relationships in the wrestling community.
Kamel Bouaziz is a Tunisian wrestling referee and educator who has been involved in the sport for many years. He has served as a Referee for the wrestling event in the 2000 Sydney, 2004 Athens, 2008 Pekin, 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games, 2012 London, 2016 Rio de Janeiro and as Instructor in 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games. He was also involved in more than 50 World Championships, as well as European Championships. Bouaziz is currently the Vice-President of the UWW Referee Commission and President of the Arab Wrestling Federation. He has conducted several training courses for coaches and referees in different countries in all arround the world.
Kamel Bouaziz, the Greco-Roman wrestling sensation, was a champion for Esperance de Tunis from 1977 to 1979. Renowned for his strategic brilliance and unwavering resilience, Bouaziz secured consecutive championship victories, elevating both himself and the club to the pinnacle of success. His charismatic leadership and commitment to sportsmanship left an enduring legacy, making him an iconic figure in Tunisian sports history.
A wrestling virtuoso during the glory years of 1979 to 1989, Kamel Bouaziz redefined dominance as the Greco-Roman dynamo of SNCFT Club. The wrestling mat became his canvas, where Bouaziz painted a masterpiece of skill and tenacity. With each bout, he orchestrated triumphs, clinching championships and etching his name in the annals of SNCFT's wrestling history. Kamel Bouaziz's legacy is one of unbridled excellence.
From 1978 to 1985, Kamel Bouaziz solidified his place as the linchpin of the Tunisian Greco-Roman National Team. Renowned for his strategic brilliance and unwavering dedication, Bouaziz participated on several continental wrestling events, securing prestigious titles and elevating Tunisia's standing in the sport. His leadership and skill left an indelible mark on the team, shaping an era of triumph and excellence for Tunisian Greco-Roman wrestling.
Following a storied career as a wrestler, Kamel Bouaziz seamlessly transitioned into the role of coach for the SNCFT Greco-Roman and Freestyle wrestling teams from 1983 to 1990. Armed with a wealth of experience and a passion for nurturing talent, Bouaziz became the guiding force behind a new generation of wrestlers.
As a coach, he imparted not just technical expertise but also the values of discipline, resilience, and sportsmanship. Under Bouaziz's tutelage, the SNCFT teams experienced continued success, building upon the legacy he had established as a formidable wrestler.
Kamel Bouaziz's coaching era stands as a testament to his commitment to the sport's growth, leaving an enduring impact on the athletes he mentored and contributing to the ongoing legacy of SNCFT wrestling.
In a remarkable continuation of his coaching journey, Kamel Bouaziz assumed the helm at Metouia Sports Union from 1990 to 1997, etching an indelible chapter in the club's history. Steering both the Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling teams, Bouaziz's tenure heralded a transformative period, marked by a cascade of first-ever titles across multiple sports.
Under his strategic guidance, Metouia Sports Union witnessed an unprecedented era of success. Bouaziz not only crafted formidable wrestling squads but also instilled a winning ethos that transcended disciplines. The club celebrated its inaugural titles, a testament to Bouaziz's visionary coaching and the dedication of the athletes he mentored.
Kamel Bouaziz's legacy at Metouia Sports Union resonates as a period of foundational triumphs, laying the groundwork for sustained excellence in the club's sporting endeavors. His coaching acumen, coupled with an unwavering commitment to nurturing talent, remains a beacon of inspiration within the vibrant history of Metouia Sports Union.
In the illustrious span from 1997 to 2009, Kamel Bouaziz, as the coach of Esperance Sportive de Tunis, orchestrated an era of unparalleled success, leaving an indelible mark on the club's history. Under his astute guidance, the Greco-Roman and Freestyle wrestling teams clinched an astonishing tally of more than 34 national championships and over 3 international titles, including prestigious competitions like the Henri Deglane International in Nice, France, and events in Spain and moroccoo.
Bouaziz's coaching genius wasn't just measured in titles but in the transformation of athletes into champions. The majority of his proteges ascended to the pinnacle of wrestling, becoming African Champions, Mediterranean Champions, Arab Champions, and even achieving the pinnacle of global recognition as World Champions. His coaching philosophy transcended borders, shaping not just national, but international wrestling dynasties.
In the storied history of Esperance Sportive de Tunis since 1919, Kamel Bouaziz stands as the most titled coach across all sports, symbolizing an era of triumphs, championships, and the enduring legacy of a true maestro in the world of wrestling.
From 1981 to 1988, Kamel Bouaziz embarked on a multifaceted journey, not only as a coach but also as a national referee, showcasing his remarkable versatility in the world of wrestling. As he began his career as a coach, Bouaziz's strategic brilliance and commitment to excellence started shaping the wrestling landscape.
Simultaneously, Bouaziz's transition to becoming a national referee during this period demonstrated his deep understanding of the sport's intricacies. His keen eye for fair play, coupled with a dedication to precision, quickly elevated him to the status of a brilliant referee within the Tunisian wrestling community. Balancing dual roles, Bouaziz not only guided athletes towards success but also contributed significantly to the integrity and standards of wrestling officiating in Tunisia. Kamel Bouaziz's legacy is one of dual mastery, leaving an indelible mark both on the coaching mat and as a beacon of fairness in the referee's arena.
From 1988 to 2003, Kamel Bouaziz's influence in wrestling officiating transcended national borders, establishing him as a luminary on the international stage. Achieving the esteemed "Exceptional" level in 1995, he not only became the preeminent referee in Tunisia but garnered recognition across the African continent and the globe.
Bouaziz's illustrious career reached a pinnacle when he officiated at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, marking a historic moment as he contributed to the fairness and integrity of this global sporting spectacle. Alongside this monumental achievement, he presided over numerous World Championships, European Championships, and African Championships, bringing his discerning eye and unwavering commitment to fairness to the most prestigious wrestling arenas worldwide.
Kamel Bouaziz's legacy as an international referee is woven into the fabric of wrestling history, leaving an indelible mark on the sport's global landscape and showcasing Tunisia's prowess in the world of officiating.
Since 2004, Kamel Bouaziz has been a prominent figure in international wrestling officiating, serving as an Instructor and a crucial member of the refereeing commission of the International Wrestling Federation (formerly FILA, now UWW). His dedication and expertise have earned him the position of Vice-President in the commission since 2013, a role he continues to excel in.
Bouaziz's contributions to the wrestling community are vast, including:
- Officiating at 7 Olympic Games (2000, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2016, 2021), showcasing his enduring commitment to the pinnacle of sports.
- Over 50 World Championships, where his keen judgment and fair officiating have been integral to the success of these global events.
- More than 45 European Championships, where Bouaziz has consistently upheld the standards of officiating.
- Over 400 International Tournaments, solidifying his reputation as a go-to authority in wrestling refereeing.
Notably, Bouaziz's excellence was recognized with the prestigious Golden Whistle awards:
- 2008 Olympic Games (Beijing, CHN): Awarded the Golden Whistle as the best referee of wrestling during the games, a testament to his exceptional officiating on the grand Olympic stage.
- 2010 European Council (Baku, AZE): Recognized again with the Golden Whistle as the best referee of the European Championships, underscoring his consistent impact on the continental wrestling scene.
Kamel Bouaziz's journey from a national referee to a revered global figure underscores his lasting legacy in shaping and elevating the standards of wrestling officiating worldwide.
From 2008 to 2022, Kamel Bouaziz served as a distinguished member of the Mediterranean Committee of Associated Wrestling Styles (CMLA) bureau. His tenure was marked by a steadfast commitment to fostering wrestling excellence and collaboration among Mediterranean nations. Bouaziz played a pivotal role in shaping the direction of wrestling within the region, contributing his expertise to the growth and development of the sport. As a bureau member, he exemplified leadership, dedication, and a passion for advancing wrestling on the Mediterranean stage.
Since 2017, Kamel Bouaziz has been a dedicated bureau member of the Union of French-speaking Wrestling Federations (UFFL). In this capacity, he has played a pivotal role in fostering collaboration and coordination among French-speaking wrestling entities. Bouaziz's commitment to the UFFL reflects his dedication to the international wrestling community and his ongoing efforts to contribute to the growth and unity of French-speaking wrestling federations. As a bureau member, he continues to bring leadership and valuable insights to the UFFL, shaping the future of wrestling within the French-speaking world.
With a wealth of experience and a distinguished career spanning coaching, refereeing, and leadership roles, Kamel Bouaziz was chosen as the President of the Arab Wrestling Federation in 2022. His extensive background in wrestling, coupled with his commitment to the sport's development, made him the ideal candidate for this prestigious role.
As the President, Bouaziz continues to leverage his expertise to advance wrestling initiatives and foster collaboration among Arab nations. His visionary leadership aims to elevate the standards of wrestling in the Arab world, further solidifying his legacy as a key figure in the global wrestling community. Bouaziz's presidency marks a new chapter in the Arab Wrestling Federation's journey, guided by his passion for the sport and dedication to its growth and prosperity.
Christian began his wrestling career as a wrestler for Central African Republic. He was a 13-time national champion and completed in the African Games (twice) and Francophone Games. In 1994, he started coaching as the national coach for CAF. In 2001, Christian began coaching in France for ASVEL Villeurbanne club. He has been coaching at the Bagnolet 93 Wrestling Club since 2006. He has also served as a Training Camp Coach in Ivory Coast and DRC Coach at the World Championships in Paris. He has a Sports Educator Diploma from France. Christian completed an Olympic Solidarity Scholarship for coaches at the International Center for Judo and Wrestling in Abidjan. He also has a professional diploma in Car Mechanics and Construction Machinery.
Ahmed has served in many capacities within the Tunisia Wrestling Federation. He has worked as the National Technical Director for 13 years, President of Technical Commission for 6 years and 2 years as the National Freestyle Coach. He has attended training camps in Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Poland, and Iran. He has participated as a coach in over 40 major international competitions including 2 Olympic Games, 7 World Championships, and 14 Continental Championships. Ahmed has a 3rd degree wrestling coach diploma for the Tunisian Ministry of Youth, Sports & Physical Education. He has a Master’s degree in Sports Training & Physical Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Experimental Sciences. He currently works as a sport teacher in Tunisia.
AMERICAS
Pedro ROJAS
Juan Jose MALDONADO
Gary Lee MAYABB
Clarissa CHUN
Juan Arturo CAMACHO
Hector CAMACHO PEDRIQUEZ
Filiberto DELGADO
Zac DOMINGUEZ
Martin HAUCK
Raul TRUJILLO DIAZ
Ignacio D ALLESSANDRO
Rafael GALVA
Mohamed ABDELFATTAH
Casey GOESSL
Eduardo PAZ GONCALVES
36 Senior-level World medals, 9 Senior-level World champions, 5 Olympic medalists and 1 Olympic champion. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from the University of Iowa in 1993. United States United States 36 Senior-level World medals, 9 Senior-level World champions, 5 Olympic medalists and 1 Olympic champion.
Juan Maren is a UWW Educator and coach. He is a former wrestling champion with many medals at World Championships, Pan-American Games, Pan-American Championships, etc. This includes winning medals at 3 Olympic Games (Bronze at Barcelona, Silver at Atlanta, and Silver at Sydney). He stopped his career as an athlete in 2006 and began his coaching career. Juan has a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Sport. As an educator, he has given training courses to UWW coaches in many countries (e.g. Colombia, Venezuela, Morocco, France, etc.) Atlanta (GEO) Sydney (AUS) Barcelona With him, they obtained a gold medal at the Olympic Games, a bronze one at the Junior World Championships and other medals at European championships. America
Clarissa won a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympic in London. She was a also a world champion 2008 and has won 20 gold, 14 silver and 10 bronze medals at international competition during her wrestling 22-year career. She has been a United World Wrestling Educator since 2016 and served as an Athlete Role Model for the International Olympic Committee during the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires. Clarissa began her national coaching career in 2014 as an assistant coach for USA Wrestling. In 2021, she was selected as the first head coach of the University of Iowa Women’s Team. Clarissa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. London United Kingdom Beijing (CHN) Hawaii (USA)
Juan Maldonado is a former athlete from Chile and was a South-American medalist. He has been a UWW referee since 2003 and currently a UWW Category I referee. He has refereed 16 Pan-American Championships. Juan graduated with a Master’s degree in Administration and High Performance, egressed from MOSO, Navy Official. He currently works as the General Manager of the National Sport Federation of Underwater Activities. 16 Pan-American championship Beach Wrestling world championships 2018 Santiago (CHI) Santiago (CHI)
Casey is a board member of the United States Wrestling Officials Association (2011-present), the curator and digital co-editor of USA Wrestling Rulebook (2015-present) and Head of the USA Wrestling International Assignment Committee. He officiated as an educator at the USA Cadet/Junior championships (2018 and 2019 UWW Courses) and as a referee at the USA Olympic (2008, 2012, 2016, 2020) & World (2007-2023) team trials. He was honored as the Official of the Year by USA Wrestling in 2013. He has been a UWW Referee for many years (2012-present) at several games and championships including the Tokyo Olympic Games. In 2019, he was appointed to the UWW Referee Commission. He has worked as International Referee Delegate at many UWW events (2013-present). Category M1 now Category IS Category IS
As a coach: In addition to his 18 years as a University level coach (Div. 1, III, NCWA), he also coached the Team USA Cadet Pan Am (GR & FS) to Golds in Campeche, Mexico in 2011. As an educator: Mike has developed USA Wrestling’s Athlete Development Model (ADM) and built USA Wrestling’s Copper and Bronze Level Coach Education Courses. Coaches Education Program (NCEP). USA
13 years of experience as international referee. Graduated in Administration, President of the Brazilian Referees Commission. He is currently the Administrative Manager of the Brazilian Wrestling Federation. Rio (BRA) Nanjing (CHN) Kazan (RUS)
41 years of experience as coach, 32 years as Cuba National Team’s coach. 3 Olympic Games as coach with Cuba, 2 Olympic Games with Portugal (1996 and 2004). Currently Head Coach of Cuba’s Greco-Roman team. He holds a Master in Wrestling Science from Manuel Fajardo University, Havana - Cuba.
Ignacio has been a UWW for almost 10 years. In 2022, he was promoted to the IS category. Ignacio has refereed the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018. In addition, he has refereed multiple Pan-American Championships. Ignacio was the Golden Boot as the outstanding referee of the Cadet Pan-American Championships. Ignacio works at Buenos Aires University as a Math and Physics Professor. He also serves as Argentina Referee Commission Chairman and is a current National Wrestling Federation member. U17 Pan-American Championships Buenos Aires, ARG Category IS
Rafael is the President of Referee Union of the Puerto Rican Wrestling Federation (Federación de Luchas Asociadas de Puerto Rico). He combines more than 25 years of experience as an athlete, coach, referee and educator and is Puerto Rico National Wrestling Team’s coach, a UWW Delegate and an International UWW Referee Facilitator (Category IS). He has given many referee courses since 2014. Rafael was named Most Outstanding Referee in Puerto Rico in 2011 and at the 2015 Pan-American championships in Chile, and UWW Educator for the Americas in 2017. He was selected for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires. He holds an associate degree in Adapted Physical Education for Disabled Children. CHI
Former wrestler from Venezuela, national team member for 15 years. 10 years of experience as coach, 6 years in development and 4 years with Venezuela national team. 2016 Olympic Games (5th place, best result ever for Venezuela, coach for Pan-American Games 2015 She graduated in Physical Education from Pedago Experimental Libertador University, Lara - Venezuela. Rio (BRA)
46 years of experience as coach. 9 years as Junior National Team coach. 12 years as Senior National Team coach. 3 years as Freestyle Head Coach and currently Women Wrestling National Team coach. 7 Olympic medals, 30 Junior World Championships and 25 Senior World Championships. Filiberto has a Master in Wrestling Science from Manuel Fajardo University, Havana – Cuba.
Former athlete from Cuba, national team member for 15 years. Head Coach of Chile National Team. First World medal in the history of the country, 3rd place in Paris 2017. Graduated in Physical Culture from Manuel Fajardo University, specialty in High Performance Sport. Stocholm (SWE) Toronto (CAN)
11 years of experience as an international referee: 8 Pan-American Championships, 2014 South-American Games Santiago. He also acted as Front of House Coordinator for the 2011 Pan-American Games in Guadalajara and Technical Delegate for the 2017 Brazil Cup, the 2017 South-American Championships and the 2018 South-American Games in Cochabamba. Mex
Former wrestler from Venezuela. He is currently Head coach of Guatemala. Graduated lawyer from Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho University and Superior Technician in Administration of Human Resources, University School of Administration and Marketing. He is also Superior Technician in Sports from Los Teques University, Caracas - Venezuela. MGL and TUR Lauro de Freitas (BRA)
Former Cuban National Team member from 1983 to 1989. 12 times World Championships coach. Graduated in Sports and Physical Culture from Manuel Fajardo University, Havana - Cuba.
Gary is a former wrestler with more than 35 years of coaching experience. He has been 16 times a coach for USA World Team (U17, U20, U23, and Senior). He was a USA Wrestling Greco-Roman World Team Coach, travelling with teams to 15 different countries. Gary is a high-level coach for all styles. Gary obtained his Master of Science in Curriculum Instruction with an emphasis in Psychology. He is currently an assistant coach for the University of Iowa Women’s Team. NWCA/MWA/MSHSAA Assistant Coach
Mohamed has been a very successful wrestler and coach during his career. As a wrestler, he has competed in 3 Olympic Games for Egypt in Greco-Roman. He earned a gold medal at the 2006 World Championships in China. After competing in the London Olympics, Mohamed started his wrestling coaching career. He is one of founders of wrestling in Bahrain. He was an Assistant Coach for USA Wrestling and the Head Coach at the USA Olympic Training Center. Mohamed currently serves as an assistant coach at the University of North Carolina.
Zac Domingues has been in the sport of Wrestling as a coach for 25 years. He has coached at every level which includes kids, U15, U17, U20, U23 and Senior Level. Zac currently runs the MWC Wrestling Academy in Papillion, NE. He has athletes ranging from 6 years of age to 30 years of age. Zac was an Assistant Head Coach at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. While there, the team won 3 NCAA DII Titles and 4 NCAA Dual Titles. In 2011, he started the MWC Wrestling Academy. His club has produced wrestlers that have been on U15, U17, U20, U23 and Senior World Teams. Zac is a 9-time world team coach. This includes two U20 WC, three U17 WC, one U23 WC, and 3 Senior WC. Zac has also been a on the USA Wrestling Board of Directors since 2014 and is the Chairman of the Coaches Council.
Marty began coaching in 2003. Since then he has coached 60 different teams in multiple sports. During this time, he has developed, organized and published a relationship-centered coaching program. He has presented a numerous clinics both nationally and internationally. Since 2019, Marty has been an active coach for USA Wrestling. He is a Gold Certified (top level) for USA Wrestling. He has coached at Olympic Development Camps and Senior World Team Training Camp. Marty has also coached at 2021 and 2023 U17 World Championships and 2019 ISF U15 Championships. Marty has also been a long time teacher and coach at various high schools. He currently serves as a Strength and Conditioning Teacher and Head Wrestling Coach at Rolla Public Schools. Prior to Rolla, he was the Head Wrestling Coach at St. James School District. Marty has a Ed.S in Administration, Master’s in Education, and Bachelor’s in Elementary Education.
ASIA
Igor LIGAY
Ashok KUMAR
Ji woo LEE
Komeil GHASEMI
Hadi HASAN ISMAEL
Nima SEDEGHI
Mohammed MOSALEIPOUR
Shuichiro Yabui is one of United World Wrestling’s first-ever educators and Asia’s first UWW Educator. As such, he has delivered coaching courses - mainly in Asia and Oceania. With a Bachelor of Business Administration and a secondary school teaching certificate in business management, he has been a teacher and wrestling coach in Japan for 14 years. He also assists in the UWW Coaches Commission and in UWW media translations.
Ashok is currently Chief referee at the Wrestling Federation of India. He is a category IS UWW referee and was promoted a UWW referee educator in 2018. He has 24 years of experience as a national referee and 13 as an international one. He started wrestling at the age of 10. He joined the Indian Air Force in 1985 and competed at the Indian Armed Forces National Level Championships (inter-services) for 6 years. He won a freestyle bronze medal in 1990 in 74kg. Rio (BRA)
Igor studied at the Department of Physical Culture and Sports at the University of Aulie-Ata in Kazakhstan. From 1992 to 2010, he competed as a Greco-Roman wrestler. He was a Greco-Roman coach from 2010 to 2018 at the Kazhymukan Children’s Sport School. In 2018, he began coaching Greco-Roman wrestling at the Olympic Training Center in Saryagash. In 2015, he obtained the highest referee category (IS). In 2018, he refereed the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires. He also refereed at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Mohammed has a degree in Computer Engineering from Yazd University and a certificate of advanced English language from Iran Language Institute. He has been serving as a referee in I.R. Iran since 2012. In 2020, he became the head of the Referee Commission for the Iran Wrestling Federation. In 2015, he obtained the highest referee category of IS in UWW. Mohammed has refereed 6 World Senior Championships and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He is also a member of the UWW Referee Commission.
Hadi Hasan has a master’s degree in Biomechanics of wrestling and currently serves as a referee for UWW. He is a category IS referee and has worked many major championships. These include Senior World Championships, U20 World Championships, Senior Asian Championships, and the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Nima has a master’s degree in industrial science and technology. In I.R. Iran, he is member of Referee Commission and responsible for education within the wrestling federation. In UWW, he currently holds the highest referee category (IS). He has refereed the U23 World Championships, Senior World Championships, and the Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games in 2018.
She is formally named Na Lae LEE and competed as an athlete for the Korea Wrestling Federation. She was a 3-time bronze medalist at the Asian Championships (1999, 2004, and 2005). She also competed in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games at 55kg and finished in 7th place. In 2010, she became an UWW Referee while coaching for the Korea Wrestling Federation. At the 2012 London Olympics, she was the coach of the Women’s National Team. While continuing to referee, she earned the highest category of IS. She refereed the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. She is one of the few individuals in the world you have wrestled, coached, and refereed in the Olympic games.
Komeil had a very successful wrestling career. He won a silver medal in the 2011 Asian Senior Championships. In 2013, he won the 120kg weight class at the Freestyle World Cup helping his team when the title. In 2014, he won gold at the Asian Senior Championships. His greatest accomplishments came at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. In London, he won a Gold Medal and a Silver Medal in Rio. After retiring from competition, he began his coaching career as the head coach of Mazandaran Gas Wrestling Team. In 2021, he worked with the Iranian Wrestling Federation as a coach through the 2021 World Cup. He then went on to become the Head Coach of Cambodian National Team.
EUROPE
Ibrahim CICIOGLU
Levent SEN
Stanislav SERNEK
Carlos GARCIA
Norovard ARUSTAMYAN
Yusup ABDULSALAMOV
Vaclav SCHEINER
Ferenc GYARMATI
Edit DOZSA
Georgi SREDKOV
Roman PAVLOV
Davor PETANJEK
Alexey BAZULIN
Karol Lebkowski
He is a member of the Bulgarian Coaches Commission. He has 20 years of experience as a wrestler and is a twelve-time Bulgarian champion. He has won numerous titles and medals at various championships and tournaments. He also has 5 years of experience as a coach in Bulgaria, Germany and international camps. Georgi holds a bachelor’s degree in Tourism Management from the European High School of Economics and Management of Plovdiv, Bulgaria and a second one as a Wrestling coach and Sport teacher. He also holds a master’s degree in Sport for High Results and Condition Training from the National Sport Academy Vasil Levski of Sofia, Bulgaria.
Vladimir works closely with United World Wrestling. He is a technical expert of Greco-Roman wrestling. He also creates content and provides education tools for UWW’s education platform and online courses. He has received many awards throughout the years (e.g. Sportsman of the Year in Ukraine in 2006 and 2009). Vladimir has been working at the School for High Sport Skills as a coach since 2012 and has been the senior coach for the Ukrainian national Greco-Roman wrestling team since 2013 (he was previously the sportsman-instructor of the team from 2000 to 2012 and the coach of the Junior team from 2015 to 2017). He works for the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine. Tashkent (UZB) Guangzhou (CHN) Vilnius (LTU)
Šernek is a member of the UWW Refereeing Commission, holds an educator position and is the current Secretary General of the Slovenian Wrestling Federation. Besides his work, he is constantly working hard to develop himself as a wrestling referee and has been officiating as such at local and international levels for the last 25 years. Mr. Šernek is very well known and respected among all the wrestling community of Slovenia and at UWW, especially by his colleagues. Also, for the past couple of years, Mr. Šernek often worked as a neutral referee and assistant educator at referee clinics and seminars, where he helped educate new generations of referees. In 2018, he acquired the level 1 certificate for referees in Tbilisi. London (GBR) Rio (BRA) Tokyo (JPN) Baku (AZE) Las Vegas (USA)
He is a member of the UWW Refereeing Commission as well as an instructor and educator, positions he has been holding since 2013. He is also the chair of the Refereeing Commission of the Turkish Wrestling Federation. He started his refereeing career in 1989 and became an international referee in 1996. He is now a top category referee (Olympic level). In addition, he is the technical chair for wrestling at the International University Sport Federation (FISU). He has refereed more than 25 Continental and World Championships. As an educator and an instructor, he has taught several referee and coach seminars and courses. He obtained his Doctorate degree (PhD) in Exercise Sciences in 1998, became an Associate Professor in the same domain in 2012 and a Professor in 2018. Crteil (FRA)
Levent was born in Bulgaria and emigrated to Turkey 15 years later. He took a referee course in 1994 and became a national referee in 1999. In 2005, he became an international referee. He upgraded in 2013 when he became a IS referee (highest level). Budapest (HUN) Rio de Janeiro (BRA) Tokyo (JPN)
Norovard is an IS-category referee. From 2012 to 2018, she worked at the International Department of the Russian Wrestling Federation LLC in Moscow. From 2011 to 2018, she was a trainer at LLC Vityaz Moscow for preschool children. In addition to her role as a referee, she took part in the organization of several championships and has also represented UWW as a delegate at several international tournaments. She has attended 22 workshops for coaches and referees in Russia. She participated in the 2012-2020 wrestling development program “Fight and win!” - approved by the Ministry of Sport of the Russian Federation. She currently works for the Russian Wrestling Federation. Budapest (HUN) 2013, 2018 Las Vegas (USA) 2015 Oslo (NOR) 2021 Belgrade (SRB) 2022,2023 Oslo (NOR) 2021 Rio de Janeiro (BRA) Tokyo (JPN) Singapore 2010 Nanjing 2014 Buenos Aires 2018
He has been the second coach of the Georgian national team of freestyle wrestling since 2017 and has 9 years of experience as a coach. Indeed, from 2010 to 2012, he was in the national team of freestyle wrestling and from 2013 to 2016 he coached the Junior team of freestyle wrestling. The Georgian national team also won the third place at the World Championships (2017, 2018). During his years as a coach, the team won three gold, one silver and two bronze medals. Paris (FRA) Paris (FRA) Budapest (HUN)
He is the Vice-President of the Georgian National Federation and a Full Professor at the Georgian State University of Physical Education and Sport. He was awarded Best Referee of Georgia every year from 2004 to 2016. He was an international referee from 1988 to 2016. He would officiate at all Senior (and sometimes the other categories) European and World Championships in all styles. Two-time Georgian champion and a two-time Soviet Union Cup holder. As an educator, he is a UWW instructor and supervisor. Edisher is a Doctor, an Academician and an Associate Professor. He has published more than 40 scientific works and publications in international journals and one monograph. In addition to all of that, he is an Honored coach and Honored sports worker of Georgia. Tashkent (UZB) 2004 Athens (GRE) 2008 Beijing (CHN) 2012 London (GBR) 2016 Rio (BRA)
Alexey has completed the standard Master of Sports of Russia in freestyle wrestling. In 2009, he became an international referee (category III), which allowed him to officiate at international tournaments (Cadet European Championships, World Cups and Championships) In 2016, he upgraded to the highest refereeing category for UWW, IS. He has served as a UWW Delegate at many competitions which include Lithuania in 2017 and in Armenia in 2018. In total, he has refereed over 70 international tournaments and has conducted over 30 seminars for referees in Russia. He was selected and refereed at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
Petar has 40 years of experience as a coach and referee. He started coaching in 1975 and has worked in Cuba (1976), in France (1992-93) and in Bulgaria. Several of the athletes he coached became European and World champions. He joined UWW in 1983 and became an international referee in 2013. He has officiated at more than 60 European and World Championships as well as two Olympic Games. He is currently the coach for Bulgaria’s junior national Greco-Roman wrestling team. He studied at the National Sport Academy Vassil Lebski (1971-1975).
Davor is the President of the Croatian Wrestling Referees Association and a member of the Croatian Wrestling Federation. He is also a UWW international referee (IS category). He is a former wrestler (8 years, from Cadet to Senior), and has been an active wrestling referee since 1989. He also has a vast experience in holding referee courses and clinics. As an international referee (since 1993), European Games, more than 40 Junior and Senior World Championships and numerous continental and international tournaments. From 2013 to 2015, he was a FILA/UWW instructor. In addition, he is a 2013 FILA Golden Whistle awardee. Davor has an AD (Associate Degree) in Computer Engineering. He is a certified IT system engineer and an IT specialist.
He has achieved significant results as a wrestler: medalist at the Asian Wrestling Championships (Gold in 2003, Bronze in 2008 and 2012), ranked 9th at the 2004 Olympic Games, Silver medal at the World Wrestling Championships in 2007, Silver medal at the 2008 Olympic Games. He has over 10 years of coaching experience and was the personal coach of many young champions and prize-winning athletes (e.g. Gadzhiev Magomedmurad, Baranowski Zbigniew). He has worked in the United Arab Emirates, Russia, Poland and Romania. He has a degree in High Physical and Sport Education.
Carlos has been the Director of Marketing, Advertising and International Relations of the Spanish Wrestling Federation since 2011. He has over 20 years of experience as an international referee. He officiated at over 15 World Championships, the London Olympic Games in 2012, and Tokyo Olympics in 2021. He is a member of the UWW Refereeing Commission and a referee educator. He graduated with a degree in Agricultural Engineering and holds a Master of Business Administration.
Petru is a multiple times national champion of Romania and Ukraine. From 2000 to 2008, he was part of the Romanian national team as a freestyle wrestler. He won the title of World Military Champion in 2006 and participated in the Olympic Games of Beijing (2008). He is now a coach at the club Steaua Bucuresti. Best results with the women’s national team: Senior European Championships (2018, 2nd, 3rd), U23 (3× 3rd, 2× 5th), World Nations Cup 2018, World Championships 2017 (2nd place). He was named Emeritus Coach and Master of Sports of Romania and Master of Sport of Ukraine, International class. Petru studied at the faculty of Physical Education and Sport of the South Ukrainian K.D.Ushynsky National Pedagogical University, Odessa (Ukraine).
He works at the British Wrestling Association. His positions there are Tutor Pathway Lead, which involves initial tutor identification (coach and referee) and organizing training, identifying where courses are needed and at what level, circulating documentation, sourcing and booking venues, organizing and allocating tutors, and Lead Coach Tutor, which consists of leading courses and organizing the delivery of the technical and theoretical content of courses. He has been a UWW Educator since 2004 and obtained his Level 2 UWW coaching certificate in 2018. He was a technical official at the London Olympic Games in 2012. He says it was a great honor and privilege to carry the Olympic Torch.
He lives in England. As a day job, he works in events for the Local Government. He also runs JR Wrestling, which is a management and consultancy company for athletes from around the world. Within the British Wrestling Association, he is the Talent Pathway Lead, with over 25 years of experience in freestyle wrestling. He has held various roles in the discipline, which include being an athlete, coach, team manager, pathway manager and now a coach educator for UWW. Jatinder holds a BA (Hons.) in Sports and Leisure Management.
Vaclav has been a board member of the Czech Wrestling Federation and the Chairman of the Referee Commission since 2009. He is a national referee since 2001, an international referee since 2009 and is also a UWW Referee (IS category). He received the Golden Whistle Award at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Vaclav holds a master’s degree as a wrestling coach from the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports - Charles University, Prague.
He is a UWW Coach Educator and Academy Educator (World Academy of Sport). Kwit is a coach for the Polish national team and the club “WKS ŚLĄSK,” where he has been coaching the Junior and Senior groups since 2012 and the Cadet group since 2014. In 2015, he received his diploma of certified trainer from the Academy of Physical Education in Wrocław (POL). He has attended several conferences throughout the years since 2012. As an athlete, he has participated in 3 World Championships (1998 – 1st, 2007 – 5th and 2009 – 11th) and 3 European Championships (2000 – 7th, 2002 - 13th and 2008 – 5th), among other games and tournaments.
He is an Honored coach of Russia. He has been working with the Russian wrestling national team for 15 years. The national team has been champion of the European Championships 13 times and of the World Championships 7 times. His athletes won 2 Gold medals during the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, the same at the 2018 YOG in Buenos Aires and 1 Gold medal at the 2014 YOG in Nanjing. He is the Head coach of SC Gladiator since 2002.
Karol is a member of the Polish Wrestling Federation, where he has been the Head Chief of Referees for 12 years. He is also a UWW Referee (IS category). He has been an international referee since 1994. He has refereed 18 World Championships and 14 European Championships. He has also refereed the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, the Baku 2015 European Games and the 2013 Summer Universiade in Kazan. He holds a Master of Physical Education. He is also Principal in an Elementary School. Baku (AZE) Kazan (RUS)
Mohamed started wrestling at university and has been involved in the discipline for over 15 years. He has been, for 11 years now, Head coach (and programme coordinator) at Brondesbury College in London, teaching students from 10 to 19 years of age - who participate in regional and national (school boy, cadet, junior and senior) training programmes. He also runs the “Student Athlete Academic Support Programme” (SAASP) at the college, a programme that gives academic support to student athletes who have high sporting potential. Over the last 11 years, they have obtained numerous medals on the domestic circuit and internationally (club level). They now have multi-tier activity levels (e.g. National Youth Team, Regional Squad, Senior Squad, Junior Squad, etc.) Mohamed has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Systems Engineering (Bachelor of Engineering - BEng).
He has been a UWW Coach Educator for about 5 years now and has delivered courses in Malawi, Tanzania, Singapore and Sierra Leone. Eric is a former athlete. He is an English Wrestling National Champion and a British Wrestling Champion. He has received many awards during his career. Indeed, from 2000 to 2002, he was awarded Sports Person of the year and Best Wrestler and got into the Hall of Fame of Cameroon. He is a wrestling coach and mentor at The Champ Foundation. He is a Level 1 UKCC wrestling coach. In addition to being an associate member of the British Wrestling Federation and United World Wrestling, he is also a member of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences. He works at the Brent River College, where he teaches both Sciences and Sport. He also got his purple belt in Jiu-Jitsu at the London Open Champion. Club and national coaches
Anatolie is a former wrestler who first represented Moldova, then Bulgaria. He has won many medals and participated in two Olympic Games editions (2008 and 2012). He was awarded the titles of International Master of Sports in Moldova (2001) and Bulgaria (2006), as well as that of Emeritus Wrestling Coach for Freestyle in Moldova (2014) and Romania (2017). In 2010, he obtained his master’s degree in Physical Culture and Sports from the State University of Physical Education and Sport of Chisinau and specialized in Sports Training Technology.
Roman is a manager at the Federation of Women's Wrestling of Ukraine, where he has been working since 2015. He has refereed 3 European Championships, 4 World Championships, He has 13 years of experience as a freestyle wrestling coach thanks to his position at the Kherson Higher School of Physical Education from 2002-2015. Roman studied Physical Education and Sport at Kiev National University of Physical Education and Sport of Ukraine. IS category Jiangsu (CHN)
Ferenc has worked as worked at the Sport and School Club Targu Mures in Romania. He was a teacher and coach from 1998 to 2011 and has served as the director of the school since 2011. He obtained the highest referee category (IS) in 2013. Since then, he has referee 2 Olympic Games (Rio de Janiero and Tokyo), 2 European Games, 7 Senior World Championships, and received the Golden Whistle in 2019. Ferenc also serves on the Referee Commission for the UWW European Council Commission. He is also the President of the Romanian Referee Commission.
Diletta had a very successful career as a wrestler. She won a silver medal at the 2001 World Championships, earned 3 bronze medals at the European Championships, was a 2 time Mediterranean Games gold medalist, and competed in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. After her wrestling career, she began coaching with Hungarian Women’s National Team. She started in 2006 and coached seniors, U20, and U17 wrestlers. Diletta is currently the head coach of the U20 sector and the head coach of the National Wrestling Academy. She has a degree is Sport Sciences from the University of Padova and has achieved the 4th CONI Level at the CONI Sports School. She also completed the High-Performance Coach Programme for the Women Sport Leadership Academy.
Edit has been the President of Refereeing Commission of the Italian Wrestling Federation (FIJLKAM) since 2016. She is also working in other areas of the Federation. She currently serves Vice Team Manager of Italian National Teams and Sport Event Commission. Edit has been a Category IS referee since 2007 and a UWW referee since 2003. During her referee career, she has refereed 3 Olympic Games (Tokyo, Rio de Janiero, Beijing), over 25 World Championships and over 25 European Championships. Edit is currently managing the WISH Programme for UWW.
Karol is a member of the Polish Wrestling Federation, where he has been the Head Chief of Referees for 12 years. He is also a UWW Referee (IS category). He has been an international referee since 1994. He has refereed 18 World Championships and 14 European Championships. He has also refereed the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, the Baku 2015 European Games and the 2013 Summer Universiade in Kazan. He holds a Master of Physical Education. He is also Principal in an Elementary School. Baku (AZE) Kazan (RUS)
OCEANIA
Stefan RUDEVICS
Carissa FULLER
Stefan started as a national referee in 2006. A year later he obtained his international referee license. He referee at two Youth Olympic Games and has been refereeing at the Senior World Championships since 2017. Stefan works as a police officer at the South Australia Police.
Carissa Fuller, formerly Carissa Holland, started her wrestling career in 2004. She was a 20x National Champion in Australia across different age and weight categories. She was a 4x Oceania Champion, was 5th in the 2010 Youth Olympic Games, and was 7th in the 2018 Commonwealth Games. After your wrestling career, she moved into coaching. She was the National Women’s Coach for Australia from 2019-2023. During that time, her team finished 5th at the Commonwealth Games in 2022. Carissa has a diploma in fitness (TAFE) and has a Level 1 and 2 Strength and Conditioning Certification (ASCA). She also has a bachelor's degree in sports business (ACPE) and recently obtained her Certificate IV in Training Assessment. She currently works as a Sector Manager and Club Manager with the PCYC in New South Wales. Carissa also recently joined the UWW Development Department Team in 2024. She will be serving as a Development Officer for Oceania.