Beach wrestling set to make its debut in the DR Congo
Beach wrestling will soon be practised in the DR Congo. The executive committee of the Congolese Federation of Associated Wrestling is keen to get started...
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The DR Congo is one of the major wrestling nations in Central Africa in particular and in Africa as a whole. But in Congo, only three styles of wrestling are practised: freestyle, Greco-Roman and African wrestling.
Newly re-elected as president of the Congolese Federation of Associated Wrestling, Eric Kinzambi wants to introduce a new style of wrestling to the DR Congo, beach wrestling, a style that United World Wrestling strongly recommends to its member associations. "There is one style of wrestling that does not exist in the DR Congo, and that is beach wrestling, or sand wrestling. The international federation is pushing us to introduce it in the DR Congo. In its latest correspondence, sent after our re-election to head the Federation, it reminded us of this point. That is why we are keen to establish this style of wrestling quickly ", he said.
A first edition of the local championship as early as 2025
FECOLUTTA wants to move fast in establishing beach wrestling in the DR Congo. The federation president, Eric Kinzambi, has announced that a first edition of the local championship will be held shortly. To that end, FECOLUTTA's executive committee has visited a site in Kinshasa to host the competition. "We have visited the venue that will host the first beach wrestling bouts in the DR Congo, a sort of local championship, the date of which will be announced to you shortly ", said Eric Kinzambi.
Already eyeing participation in the African Championships
This rapid introduction of beach wrestling is also driven by the DR Congo's desire to take part in the African Championships, scheduled this year in Morocco. FECOLUTTA says it has received an invitation from the Moroccan kingdom. The Leopards will use this first local championship to prepare for the upcoming African Championships.
"Between April and May we will go to Morocco to take part in the African Championships. We have received an invitation from our Moroccan friends. Since we already have athletes who practise African wrestling, and even freestyle, it won't be complicated for them to take up beach wrestling", said Eric Kinzambi.
The city of Kinshasa will therefore be the cradle of beach wrestling in the DR Congo before it spreads across the whole country.