Engaging the World at UWW Conference

In Zagreb, Croatia, at the 2025 Senior World Wrestling Championships, wrestling federation officials from around the globe gathered to hear from Wrestling for Peace (W4P) Executive Director, Dan Russell. Invited by the United World Wrestling (UWW) 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.

Russell’s presentation highlighted W4P’s humble beginnings and called every federation to join the Wrestling for Peace Global Campaign as it builds toward the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Here is a breakdown of the presentation:

• Origins in the Sahara: The movement began in the Sahrawi refugee camps of Algeria, where wrestling became a tool for relationship, hope, and engagement for displaced communities

• Ancient Roots: Wrestling for Peace draws inspiration from Egypt’s Beni Hasan tombs, where 4,000-year-old wrestling images depict techniques used to train soldiers and athletes, many which are still used today

• Global Campaign Toward LA 2028:
  A four-year international initiative is underway, aiming to:

• Develop youth leadership

• Support women and underrepresented groups

• Promote service within local communities

• Local Impact in 2025:

• Athens, Greece: Visited a children’s cancer hospital, provided refugee aid, and school supply donations

• Samokov, Bulgaria: Women wrestlers led a community sports outreach and donated fitness equipment to schools

• Tatabánya, Hungary: World Veteran’s competitors visited the Hungarian Wrestling federation, and provided toys and medical supplies for a hospital

• Still to come - Novi Sad, Serbia: Will deliver free prescription medications and visit a local orphanage

Wrestling for Peace will celebrate an exemplary first year of its Global Campaign on December 6, 2025 at the Army and Navy Club in Washington, DC. The W4P Winter Gala will highlight moments from the 2025 Global Campaign events, the award committee will honor worthy individuals for their contributions to the mission of W4P, and the Board of Directors will unveil plans for the 2026 Global Campaign in partnership with UWW and USA Wrestling.

Don’t miss this opportunity to join us for a delicious dinner and inspiring program!

For tickets click HERE.

Together, we can change the world — one mat, one match, one life at a time.