2024 was a year of immense significance for British Wrestling as we celebrated our 120th anniversary. It was a privilege to lead the organisation through such a landmark year, a time to both honour our rich history and confront the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. From local clubs to international competitions, from grassroots initiatives to governance updates, it’s been a busy and, at times, emotional year. I want to share my personal reflections on some of the key moments that defined 2024 for British Wrestling.
January & February: Laying the Groundwork
We started the year focused on strengthening our foundations.
- Lee Seggl gains Category 1 UWW referee status: I was incredibly proud to see Lee Seggl achieve Category 1 referee status from United World Wrestling. This is a testament to Lee’s dedication and the rising standards of officiating within British Wrestling. It provides us with vital representation at the highest levels of international competition. Link
- First open members forum: Ensuring open communication with our members is a top priority for me. The first open members forum of the year provided a valuable opportunity for dialogue, allowing us to hear directly from our community and address their concerns. Link
March & April: Investing in the Future
This period was about investing in the future of our sport.
- New pathway coaches appointed: We were delighted to announce our new team of coaches for the Talent and Performance Pathway. With the expertise of Charlie Bowling, Ross Connelly, David Ong, Mo Osman, Vlad Gladkov, and Mark Cocker, under the guidance of Performance Manager Kieran Malone, I’m confident we’re developing a strong foundation for future success on the world stage. Link
- New membership structure and products announced: We launched a revised membership structure designed to better serve our diverse community. From fans to dedicated athletes, the new tiers and introductory memberships offer something for everyone, making British Wrestling more accessible than ever. Link
May & June: Showcasing British Wrestling
This period was a highlight, showcasing the breadth and depth of British Wrestling.
- British Championships combines Senior and Junior competitions into a festival of wrestling: The revamped British Championships, combining Senior and Junior competitions, created a fantastic atmosphere and showcased the talent we have across all age groups. Link
- 2024 Community Awards Recognise Outstanding Achievements in Wrestling: The Community Awards are always a special occasion. It’s a chance to celebrate the unsung heroes of our sport – the coaches, volunteers, and officials who dedicate their time and energy to making British Wrestling thrive. Link
- Fierce Females: First-ever female-only competition: Witnessing the first-ever female-only freestyle wrestling competition in the UK was a truly inspiring moment. This event marked a significant step forward for women’s wrestling in Britain, and I’m committed to continuing to support its growth. Link
July & August: International Competition and Inspiration
This period saw both significant individual achievement and the inspiration of the Olympic Games.
- Danoush Jowkar Secures 5th Place at U17 World Championships: A fantastic performance by Danoush Jowkar saw him secure 5th place at the U17 World Championships after a 5th at the European Championships in June. This is a significant achievement and demonstrates the rising talent within our youth ranks. Link
- Paris 2024 Olympic Games: The Paris Olympics took place this summer, and while it was disappointing not to have British wrestlers competing on the mat, the Games provided an inspirational highlight for all who made the trip to spectate. Witnessing the world’s best compete at the highest level is a powerful motivator for our athletes and the entire British wrestling community.
September & October: Looking to the Future – and a Moment of National Pride
September and October brought a moment of immense national pride and exciting developments for our senior athletes alongside a major disappointment.
- British Wrestling Team Makes History at Grappling World Championships: In a truly remarkable achievement, British Wrestling sent its first-ever team to the UWW Grappling World Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, and returned home with three gold medals and a silver! This accomplishment signifies the tremendous growth and recognition of grappling within the UK and showcases the talent and dedication of our athletes. Link
- GBR Senior Squad Relaunched: In a positive step forward for elite British wrestling, the GBR Senior Squad training programme was relaunched. This initiative provides a crucial platform for our top senior athletes to train together under the guidance of expert coaches, recognising their continued commitment to the sport and preparing them for success on the international stage. Link
- Wrestling Excluded from Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games: Despite British Wrestling campaigning hard for wrestling’s inclusion, we learned that wrestling would not feature in the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. This was undoubtedly a major disappointment for our athletes and the entire wrestling community. Link
November & December: Securing the Future
The final months of the year brought important developments that will help shape our future.
- Governance Review Report Published: Following a comprehensive review, we published our governance review report. This is a crucial step in ensuring the long-term health and sustainability of British Wrestling, strengthening our structures and processes to ensure we operate with the highest standards of transparency and accountability. Link
- Major Funding Boost from UK Sport: I was thrilled to announce that British Wrestling secured a major funding boost from UK Sport for the LA Olympic cycle. This significant investment will provide crucial support for our performance programme and help us to achieve our ambitious goals on the international stage. Link
- Groundbreaking Partnership with Kixy: We signed a groundbreaking partnership with Kixy, which I believe will be transformative for our organisation. This collaboration will provide us with valuable resources and expertise to enhance our operations and reach a wider audience. Link
Looking Ahead
As we conclude our 120th anniversary year, I’m filled with both pride and determination. We’ve celebrated our history, invested in our future, and faced some tough challenges. While the exclusion from the Commonwealth Games was a setback, it has only strengthened our resolve to continue growing and developing British Wrestling. I am confident that with the dedication of our athletes, coaches, volunteers, and staff, we will continue to build on the foundations laid over the past 120 years and create an even brighter future for our sport.
Craig Anthony
CEO
