From rehab centers to championship arenas, our final stop in the 2025 Wrestling for Peace Global Campaign was in Novi Sad, Serbia during the U23 World Wrestling Championships. In partnership with USA Wrestling, the US Embassy in Belgrade, UWW, and the Serbian Wrestling Federation, it was a full week of community engagement for W4P ambassadors as young Greco-Roman wrestlers and local youth discovered that resilience, courage, and shared community can turn struggle into triumph.

On the third stop of the Wrestling for Peace 2025 Global Campaign, USA Wrestling coach Chris Brown and Wrestling for Peace (W4P) Ambassador, George Porter, led the way, joining the Hungarian Wrestling Federation for a week of humanitarian action and international solidarity. From the hospital halls of Budapest to the wrestling mats of Tatabánya, they saw firsthand how sport connects, heals, and inspires.

In Zagreb, Croatia, at the 2025 Senior World Wrestling Championships, wrestling federation officials from around the globe gathered to hear from Wrestling for Peace Executive Director, Dan Russell. Invited by the United World Wrestling Development team, led by Deqa Niamkey and Yuri Maier, Russell highlighted how W4P is working beyond the mat — to uplift communities, develop emerging leaders, and unite people across borders.

In an effort to promote leadership, empowerment, and international collaboration through sport, Wrestling for Peace proudly joined a landmark U.S. Department of State initiative — “Pinning Dreams” — a sports diplomacy effort using women’s wrestling to uplift and inspire girls across the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Wrestling for Peace (W4P) is thrilled to announce two exciting additions to its first annual 2025 Winter Gala: Bridging Worlds, Building Futures. Renowned wrestling announcer, Bryan Hazard, will emcee the event on Saturday, December 6th at the historic Army and Navy Club in Washington, DC, and Brandon Slay — Olympic Gold Medalist, legendary coach, and new Executive Director of SportLife Wrestling — will serve as Keynote Speaker.

In the town of Samokov, Bulgaria, usually known for its winter sports season, wrestling champions of past and present came together not just to compete, but to connect across cultures — igniting the dreams of a new generation of wrestlers in the heart of Bulgaria.

As anticipation builds for the second stop on the Wrestling for Peace (W4P) 2025 Global Campaign journey, W4P ambassadors and campaign partner Wrestle Like a Girl are gearing up for a dynamic event on August 17, 2025 in Samokov, Bulgaria during the U17 World Wrestling Championships. With a focus on youth empowerment, cultural connection, and community development through wrestling, this event is set to leave a lasting impact on every nation it touches.

Wrestling for Peace (W4P), in strategic partnership with SportsLife and in collaboration with EuroRelief, Hellenic Ministries, and Leven, was honored to stand in solidarity with refugee and Roma communities during a recent initiative in Athens, Greece. This visit marked a significant step in our ongoing mission to bring dignity, empowerment, and hope to those navigating life at the margins.

There are few places in the world where past, present, and future come together as powerfully as they do in Athens, Greece. This summer, on the eve of the U17 World Championships, Wrestling for Peace (W4P) and SportsLife ambassadors had the extraordinary opportunity to stand together in the Panathenaic Stadium, the iconic heart of Olympic history, with delegations from Team USA and Team Greece.

Wrestling for Peace (W4P), an international organization dedicated to building bridges of peace through the sport of wrestling, made a visit to Elpida Children’s Oncology Hospital in Athens, delivering gifts, messages of unity, and moments of joy for young patients and their caregivers. The W4P delegation featured athletes and leaders from both Team USA and Team Greece, united under the shared mission of using sport as a force for good.

The U.S. Embassy in Athens sent a distinguished representative to speak to both Team USA and Team Greece ahead of the U17 Freestyle World Championships and the launch of the Wrestling for Peace (W4P) 2025 Global Campaign. Gathered in a room charged with anticipation and shared commitment, young athletes from two proud nations listened as Lieutenant Colonel Tony George of the United States Air Force delivered a stirring address.

In the sweltering summer heat of Athens, Greece, Wrestling for Peace (W4P) and SportsLife came together this July to host a powerful Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Olympic Wrestling Camp — setting the tone for the U17 Men’s Freestyle World Championships.

Wrestling for Peace (W4P) is excited to announce the appointment of Kristi Mann to the W4P Executive Board. Kristi brings unparalleled leadership and a deep passion for wrestling, backed by an illustrious track record at both state and national levels.

In May, W4P ambassadors completed a pivotal site visit to the ancient city meeting with local NGOs, refugee advocates, and government officials to explore partnerships aimed at empowering underserved youth and creating opportunities for cross-cultural connection through sport.

Las Vegas, NV – The future of American wrestling was on full display at the 2025 US Open, where ten standout young athletes earned their spots on the U17 Freestyle World Team. The team, formed after a weekend of intense competition, is now setting its sights on the global stage in Athens, Greece.

As the global wrestling community prepares for the 2025 Veteran World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, we are thrilled to announce that four-time World Champion George Porter will be joining the Wrestling for Peace initiative as a Global Ambassador. His leadership and dedication to the sport make him an ideal figure to champion this important cause, and his involvement will significantly elevate the goals of our global peace-building efforts.

In a powerful demonstration of corporate social responsibility and global impact, GuidePoint Security has announced its sponsorship of the Wrestling for Peace 2025 Global Campaign. This initiative, in partnership with USA Wrestling, seeks to leverage the universal appeal of wrestling to promote peace, unity, and cultural exchange around the globe.

Wrestling for Peace (W4P) has witnessed an extraordinary journey in Jordan, where women's wrestling is not just a sport, but a movement that is giving greater opportunity for all athletes to excel in athletic competition. What began as a small initiative three years ago has blossomed into a trailblazing force, with young women breaking barriers and achieving milestones that were once unimaginable.

Chargé d’Affaires Guevara at the United States Embassy warmly welcomed a U.S. Sports Envoy to Azerbaijan, extending heartfelt thanks for their efforts in promoting the inclusion of women and girls in sports while strengthening U.S. - Azerbaijan relations. This historic trip was part of a U.S. State Department Sports Exchange program themed “Empowering Girls and Women Through Wrestling.”