The Danish Wrestling Federation recently announced that indoor wrestling training has finally resumed. Earlier this spring, Denmark was one of the first European nations (and the first from Scandinavia) to sign off on organized outdoor activities. That apparently went well, as less than two months later, Danish athletes are now able to participate in actual practices.
Of course, there are guidelines involved. Similar to the measures being taken elsewhere for other re-opened programs, capacity in training centers is limited and wrestlers are not permitted with those outside of their groups. The Danish federation has availed five key focus points which can be viewed below.
1) The challenge is to minimize the amount of time spent with body contact, especially face-to-face contact.
2) Shared equipment must be cleaned frequently and sprayed before and after activity, and as frequently as possible during the activity.
3) The prevailing assembly ban must always be respected (as of June 8, 50 people).
4) Upon arrival to the sports facility, participants must place themselves in the group in which they participate during the activity. Groups may not be merged and participants may not switch between different groups during the activity.
5) Frequent and thorough cleaning of common contact points should be done at least once a day, and more often when necessary due to volume.
Also, Sweden
After some initial confusion over a week ago, it appears that Swedish athletes — beginning today — are also allowed to begin training indoors. This news comes on the heels of a recent statement from the Swedish federation decrying the lack of clarification they received with regards to indoor training from the Public Health Authority. When the PHA released guidelines for indoor sports practices this month, wrestling was not specified. Several days went by, order was restored, and as is the case with Denmark, Swedes can return to the mat under a similar set of guidelines put in place for precautionary reasons.
Rau Tabbed for Fundraiser
Two-time World Team member, 2020ne Olympic Trials finalist — and case study of our Greco-Roman stats introduction — Joe Rau (87 kg, TMWC/IRTC) will be wrestling at the just-announced Rumble on the Rooftop fundraiser set for June 28. Proceeds will benefit regional training centers as well as Beat the Streets-Chicago. Rau’s opponent will be none other than ’19 freestyle World Teamer Pat Downey. Rau and Downey went 1-1 against each other in the ’18 freestyle World Team Trials Challenge Tournament (quarterfinal for Rau and third-place match for Downey).
“I know he has gotten a lot better and he recently made the freestyle Team, and has had a lot of success, which just makes me more excited to wrestle him,” Rau says. “I get to wrestle at home in downtown Chicago to raise some money for RTC’s and Beat the Streets-Chicago, so it’s a great cause, too.”
Fans who would like to tune into the event (which would serve as a donation) can do so by streaming the event on FITE TV for $19.99.
UPDATE: An earlier version of this article stated that Rau had lost to Downey twice instead of once during the ’18 freestyle tournament. That error has since been corrected.
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