UWW highlights Baku event

August 12, 2026

The 10th anniversary of the “More Than Medals” camp was held in Baku from August 3 to 8.

United World Wrestling (UWW) has published an article highlighting the event.

The article noted that the anniversary camp, organized by the UWW Development Department, brought together a record 95 participants from 21 countries, including 74 athletes and 21 coaches. This was the largest participation in the history of the “More Than Medals” camp.

The 10th anniversary edition of the program was held at the initiative of UWW President Nenad Lalovic. The project aims to support young wrestlers not only on the mat but also in their personal development, while strengthening their sense of belonging, self-confidence and friendships.

In line with the philosophy of the camp, a rich and diverse program was prepared for the participants. The activities included technical wrestling sessions, fun games, physical fitness and strength training, beach wrestling, anti-doping education, as well as educational sessions on climate change and environmental protection. The camp also provided participants with opportunities to communicate with one another, exchange experiences and build friendships. The 10th anniversary edition concluded with a traditional Azerbaijani dinner and an entertainment program, further strengthening the friendships formed throughout the week.

As part of the educational program, Olympic champions and Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation Vice-Presidents Namig Abdullayev and Farid Mansurov shared their career experiences with the young athletes. They emphasized the importance of remaining committed to wrestling, believing in themselves and pursuing their Olympic dreams.

Greco-Roman U17 national team head coach Rafiq Huseynov highlighted the significance of the camp:

“This camp was about much more than wrestling training. It created a great opportunity for young athletes from different countries to learn from one another, build friendships and experience the true values of our sport. I believe these moments will remain in their memories for many years and contribute to shaping them not only as wrestlers but also as individuals. This is what wrestling is all about – it means more than medals.”

Feten Hammami, head coach of Tunisia’s U17 women’s national wrestling team, said the camp was beneficial both professionally and personally:

“The camp was an excellent experience, both professionally and personally. We had the opportunity to learn, exchange experiences and communicate with coaches and athletes from different countries. Taking part in a joint training session with Lupita from Mexico and Teresa from Spain was a wonderful opportunity to share ideas. I greatly appreciated the positive atmosphere, the high level of the sessions and the strong spirit of cooperation throughout the week. I hope we can continue organizing such camps in the future, bringing coaches and athletes from different countries together to learn, exchange experiences and develop.”

Maria Guadalupe Bautista, head of the Mexican delegation, said the camp played an important role in the development of young athletes:

“I would like to express my deepest gratitude for this wonderful experience. Spending these days with you, meeting so many valuable people and, above all, learning from people who approach our sport with such great experience and passion was a great pleasure for me. I would especially like to thank everyone who worked so hard to organize the event, took such great care of us and contributed to making this experience possible. It was truly a pleasure to meet you and be part of this project. Of course, we would also like to thank the Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation for welcoming us so warmly and for the outstanding hospitality throughout our stay. We are leaving your country with wonderful memories and a deep sense of gratitude. The children returned home very happy, motivated and full of impressions. I believe opportunities like this can play an important role in their development. They discover new cultures, communicate with other athletes and coaches, see different approaches to sport and, most importantly, learn to dream bigger. We are returning home with immense gratitude and happiness for having been part of this wonderful experience. The doors of Mexico will always be open to you. We hope to see you again very soon!”

Algerian delegation member Nouiga Sofiane shared the following impressions:

“It was a great honor for us to participate in this camp. The camp was organized to a very high standard and gave us a valuable opportunity to learn, exchange experiences and build strong friendships with participants from different countries around the world. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to UWW and Azerbaijan for their sincere hospitality, warm welcome and excellent organization of the camp. We look forward to meeting again at future events.”

Diego Sebastian Casas, head of the Argentine delegation, emphasized the role of wrestling in bringing people from different countries together:

“After these days we have spent together, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to every coach. I learned a great deal from every conversation, every piece of advice and, especially, from the exchange of knowledge and experience. What unites us more strongly than flags and languages is our shared love for wrestling and our constant desire to learn. I send my warmest regards to those who have already returned home, and wish those who are still traveling a safe journey and a wonderful reunion with their families. Thank you for sharing your valuable knowledge and experience with us. I leave this camp with a wealth of experience and, most importantly, wonderful memories of many truly valuable people.”

Deqa Niamkey, Director of the UWW Development Department, said the camp was inspiring for young wrestlers:

“I sincerely thank each and every one of you for your contribution to making this camp a wonderful and inspiring experience for our young people and the next generation of wrestlers! It is a great honor for me to contribute to the development of wrestling and work for the advancement of this sport. I would like to extend my special thanks to the Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation. You are a wonderful host and a great friend.”

Hosting the 10th anniversary edition of the “More Than Medals” program in Baku once again demonstrated Azerbaijan’s continued role as a host of major events within the international wrestling community. The project aims to instill in young wrestlers values that go beyond sporting results, including friendship, respect, mutual understanding and solidarity.