United World Wrestling
The Global Governing Body for the Sport of Wrestling
United World Wrestling (UWW) is the international governing body for the sport of wrestling, overseeing all disciplines of Olympic wrestling worldwide. Formerly known as FILA (Fédération Internationale des Luttes Associées), UWW was rebranded in 2014 to better reflect its modern vision of global unity, athlete empowerment, and the evolving nature of the sport.
Headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, UWW is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the official authority for international wrestling competitions, rules, and athlete development programs. UWW governs the five main wrestling styles:
Freestyle Wrestling
Greco-Roman Wrestling
Women’s Wrestling (Freestyle)
Grappling
Beach Wrestling
A Legacy of Tradition and Innovation
Wrestling is one of the oldest sports in the world, dating back to ancient civilizations. UWW honors this deep-rooted legacy while also driving innovation in competition formats, coaching standards, and global development. With more than 180 national federations under its umbrella, UWW supports regional championships, global tournaments, and Olympic qualification events across every continent.
Promoting Youth, Inclusion, and Global Reach
United World Wrestling is not just focused on elite-level athletes. The organization plays a major role in grassroots development, education, and youth outreach initiatives. Through its “More Than Medals” program, UWW promotes wrestling as a vehicle for personal development, gender equality, and international friendship.
UWW also works in partnership with various governments, NGOs, and Olympic committees to bring wrestling opportunities to underserved communities, helping to bridge cultural gaps and empower the next generation of athletes.
United World Wrestling
It’s time to start creating awareness that Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) will be an Olympic sport in the near future. As of October 27th, 2024, at the United World Wrestling General Assembly held in Albania, MMA was officially accepted and recognized as an Olympic Sport with the full permission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This momentous decision marks a significant milestone for the sport and opens up new avenues for athletes and coaches alike.
