The National Wrestling Federation of Hungary recently announced a significant financial investment in their national program aimed at increasing nationwide participation, optimizing top talent, and expanding their coaching pool.
The focus of the new initiative is the nine mat, two floor Kozma Istvan Hungarian Wrestling Academy, which will provide year-round training for wrestlers between the ages of 14-18. Selected cadet and junior wrestlers will live in a dormitory combined with the wrestling center with additional junior and U23 wrestlers visiting for national and international training camps.
The wrestling hall opened earlier this month, with the dormitory scheduled to open in 2022.
“This is a huge milestone. We are focused on providing a great opportunity for young wrestlers to prepare in the best conditions and continue to improve on the strong traditions and results of our nation,” said UWW Bureau Member and Hungarian National Federation vice-president Peter Bacsi.
“The facility also helps us during the pandemic as we are able to train under stringent safety regulations.”
The academy will also serve as an international wrestling center for Olympic Solidarity programs and regional training center aligned with the goals of United World Wrestling the International Olympic Committee.
To meet the ambitious goals of the center, the national federations has recruited three highly qualified coaches to serve. Diletta GIAMPICCOLO will serve as Hungary’s first-ever full-time women’s national team coach. A 2004 Olympian, Giampiccolo will oversee all age groups and work at the wrestling center. Giampiccolo is being supported by UWW and IOC Olympic Solidarity scholarship for coaches beneficiary at the WSLA programme.
