To Our Friends in Wrestling Around the world

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

By William May
（Japan Amateur Wrestling Federation, Public Information Committee
：wmay52@hotmail.com）

September wrestling news

NU WINS 3RD STRAIGHT COLLEGIATE DUAL MEET CROWN



　　TOKYO (September 16) - Nihon University came from behind to defeat Takushoku University and won its third straight national collegiate dual meet championship title. Trailing 2-3 after the 84-kg bout, NU drew even when sophomore Shinya Matsumoto edged reigning national champion Takao Isokawa by winning in a pair of clinches at 96 kg. Then Shunsuke Hata defeated Atsushi Nakamura at 120 kg to cap the comeback for NU at Komazawa Gymnasium.

　　In the semifinals, NU defeated west Japan champion Ritsumeikan 6-1 while Takushoku, which won the East Japan collegiate league title in May, won the last four bouts for a 5-2 victory over Nippon Sports Science University.

OCA TO CONSIDER MULTI-SPORT BEACH GAMES


　　GUANGZHOU, China (September 9) - The Olympic Council of Asia met for its general assembly and decided a multi-sport games which would include beach volleyball and beach soccer. While Japan is the only country in Asia thus far to stage a beach wrestling competition, it is thought that ealizing a beach games would serve to spur the development of the sport internationally.

WOMEN’S WORLD CUP MEET SET FOR NAGOYA NEXT MAY


　　BUDAPEST (September 25) - The 2006 World Cup of women’s wrestling has been formally set for next May in Nagoya, FILA announced at its calendar committee meeting. The meet to be held on May 27-28 will be the third women’s World Cup to be staged in Japan after Tokyo hosted the event in 2003 and 2004.

　　Meanwhile, it was decided that the 2007 world championships will be held in Azerbaijan’s capital of Baku. In addition to next year’s Asian Games in Qatar, the Asian championships will be held in March in Kyrgyzstan’s capital of Bishkek.

SINGLETS OKAY FOR WOMEN’S WRESTLING AT DOHA AG


　　BUDAPEST (September 25) - A member of Qatar’s sports press committee suggested that normal singlets will be allowed for women’s wrestling at the Asian Games in Doha in December 2006.

　　With Islam the predominant faith in Qatar, not only is women’s wrestling not allowed but watching women’s wrestling is also prohibited. Women’s wrestling was originally not on the program for the Doha games, but FILA requested that the event be added. While the organizers may stage the event, observers are keen to see what kind of singlets, or other wear for the competition, will be allowed.

---