Strategy 2022-2026: Quarterly Update Q4 2024

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STRATEGY 2022-2026

UPDATE FOR NATIONAL

FEDERATIONS

JANUARY 21, 2025

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Wrestling Family Worldwide,

Following the recent congress and U23 Olympic and Non-Olympic U23 Championships held in Tirana, Albania, we had record participation of over 2000 participants from all five continents. The growth of wrestling is progressing constantly, and this is thanks to our joint efforts to thrive as a sport and one family.

We now embark on the new Olympic cycle 2025-2028 with major events ahead of us including the Youth Olympic Games in 2026 taking place in Dakar, Senegal. As part of our set strategy, the youth are at the heart of our agenda and as they are the leaders of tomorrow. With that in mind, I invite you all to continuously put efforts to support and engage the youth in wrestling.

Despite the global challenges, with the inflation and geo-political crises around the globe, I invite you all to continue working together with determination and resilience to overcome these obstacles. Wrestling has always been a sport that unites and inspires people from diverse backgrounds, fostering a sense of community and mutual respect.

As we move forward, let us prioritize inclusion, innovation, and sustainability in our programs and events. By doing so, we can ensure that wrestling remains accessible and attractive to future generations. Let us also strengthen partnerships with national sporting organisations, sponsors, and local communities to further develop the sport and provide opportunities for athletes, coaches, and officials worldwide.

In closing, I wish you all success, health, and happiness in 2025 and beyond. Together, we can build a brighter future for wrestling and continue to inspire countless individuals through the values and spirit of our sport.

Yours in wrestling,

Nenad Lalovic

UWW President

1. ELEVATE & INSPIRE

YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL FEDERATION GYMNASIADE 2024 - BAHRAIN

United World Wrestling partnered with the International School Sports Federation (ISF) to train PE teachers at the ISF Gymnasiade in Bahrain. The ISF Gymnasiade event took place from 23-31 October. This annual event involves competitions for sport school athletes over 26 sports. Wrestling has been a part of this event in each edition. During the Gymnasiade, ISF also provides training to local PE teachers to potentially implement more sports within their curriculum.

3. SUPPORT & CONNECT

ASSOCIATED STYLES

UWW Associated Styles concluded 2024 with transformative achievements, headlined by the Congress in Tirana, where Amateur MMA was officially established under the UWW umbrella. Rooted in the foundational elements of mixed martial arts, UWW Grappling, and the father of modern MMA the ancient Olympic UWW Pankration, Amateur MMA seeks to highlight the sport's amateur face on open mats while striving to elevate its styles to Olympic-level standards.

Simultaneously, the roots of wrestling, UWW Traditional initiative reached a significant milestone with the integration of Chinese Traditional Wrestling, Shuai Jiao, into UWW. This historic inclusion marks the beginning of a long-awaited era of global expansion for this traditional art.

In 2025, the main focus will shift to perfecting the fundamentals of Amateur MMA, with experts dedicated to building a robust framework that enables athletes to experience the elite competitions while mastering the art of defense.

4. REVAMP & REINFORCE

IMAGE OF WRESTLING

UWW AND RUDIS: HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP TO UNITE AND ELEVATE WRESTLING WORLDWIDE

RUDIS, a premier U.S.-based wrestling apparel brand renowned for its high-quality gear and deep connections to the wrestling community, have announced a groundbreaking eight-year partnership, set to begin in 2025. The collaboration marks a pivotal moment for the global wrestling community, uniting two forces with a shared vision of celebrating the sport’s rich legacy while shaping its future.

The partnership exemplifies the mutual commitment of UWW, the global governing body of wrestling, and RUDIS to honor the sport and serve its athletes, fans, and communities worldwide.