Slay and Hazard to Inspire at 2025 Winter Gala
Wrestling for Peace is thrilled to announce two exciting additions to its first annual 2025 Winter Gala: Bridging Worlds, Building Futures. Brandon Slay — Olympic Gold Medalist, legendary coach, and new Executive Director of SportLife Wrestling — will serve as Keynote Speaker, and renowned wrestling announcer, Bryan Hazard, will emcee the event on Saturday, December 6th at the historic Army and Navy Club in Washington, DC.
This year’s Gala will shine a spotlight on Wrestling for Peace’s life-changing mission: To utilize wrestling and sports diplomacy to foster people-to-people engagement, empower individuals and groups, and build community globally. Expect a powerful night of stories, vision, and impact as we look back on the W4P 2025 Global Campaign and cast vision for the year ahead.
Brandon Slay, Olympic gold medalist and esteemed wrestling coach, will deliver the keynote address. Slay’s journey to Olympic glory culminated at the 2000 Sydney Games, where he secured a gold medal in freestyle, notably defeating six-time world champion Buvaisar Saitiev in the quarterfinals.
Following his athletic career, Slay transitioned into coaching, serving as the Executive Director and Head Coach of the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center (PRTC) from 2016 to 2025.
Recently relocating to Springdale, Arkansas as the Executive Director of SportLife Wrestling and coach at the G1 Training Center, Slay is embracing a bold new chapter. His extensive experience as both an athlete and coach, combined with his dedication to building champions in both sport and character, will inspire gala attendees, delivering a compelling message of perseverance, leadership, and the unifying power of wrestling.
Guiding the night will be none other than Bryan Hazard, honored as the 2020–21 Broadcaster of the Year by the National Wrestling Media Association. Honored with a Lifetime Service Award from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Bryan has decades of experience as a commentator at the NCAA Championships, USA Wrestling and United World Wrestling events, and NBC broadcasts. His vibrant style and deep knowledge have made him a beloved figure among the wrestling community, bringing insight and heart to every moment he shares.
Bryan is not just a voice in the wrestling world, he is a passionate storyteller and a true embodiment of the sport’s spirit. Beyond the microphone, his dedication as coach and mentor reflects his unwavering commitment to building community through wrestling. As emcee, Bryan will inspire with his signature energy, his love for wrestling, and his belief in its power to unite, uplift, and promote peace worldwide.
DETAILS
Event: Wrestling for Peace 2025 Winter Gala: “Bridging Worlds, Building Futures”
Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
Time: 6:00PM Cocktail Hour, 7:00PM Formal Event
Location: Army and Navy Club, 901 17th St NW, Washington, DC