SOFIA, Bulgaria (12 August, 2013) – Starting on Tuesday, 13 August, wrestling fans from around the world will have the opportunity to view the Junior World Championships live on the FILA Facebook page.  

The broadcast will feature two cameras, with the ability to show replays and an English-language announcer. This live streaming broadcast follows up on FILA’s use of live streaming during the historic wrestling meet staged in Ancient Olympia, Greece, in July, which featured the first women’s wrestling match ever to take place in Ancient Olympia.

More than 600 of the top junior wrestlers representing 62 national wrestling federations from around the world have been entered to compete in the Junior World Championships. National Federations from all five continental organizations will be represented, including wrestlers from Oceania and Africa.  

This year’s championships take on a special significance for all competitors, since this corps of young wrestling elites in Sofia will likely form the vanguard of competitors for the 2020 Olympic Games.

The future of wrestling in the 2020 Olympic Games remains undecided pending a vote of the IOC Session in Buenos Aires on 8 September.  Wrestling, along with baseball/softball and squash, are vying for the final position on the Olympic Program for 2020. 

Event Schedule:
Local time in Sofia, Bulgaria (7 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern time)

Tuesday, 13 August
Weight Classes contested: Greco-Roman 50, 60, 74 and 96 kg
9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Qualification Rounds
4:00 – 5:30 p.m. – Semifinals and Repechage
6:00 – 6:30 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. – Finals

Wednesday, 14 August
Weight Classes contested: Greco-Roman 55, 66, 84 and 120 kg
9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Qualification Rounds
4:00 – 5:30 p.m. – Semifinals and Repechage
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. – Finals

Thursday, 15 August
Weight Classes contested: Women’s freestyle 44, 51, 59 and 67 kg
9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Qualification Rounds
4:00 – 5:30 p.m. – Semifinals and Repechage
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. – Finals

Friday, 16 August
Weight Classes contested: Women’s freestyle 48, 55, 63 and 72 kg
9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Qualification Rounds
4:00 – 5:30 p.m. – Semifinals and Repechage
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. – Finals

Saturday, 17 August
Weight Classes contested: Men’s freestyle 50, 60, 74 and 96 kg
9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Qualification Rounds
4:00 – 5:30 p.m. – Semifinals and Repechage
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. – Finals

Sunday, 18 August
Weight Classes contested: Men’s freestyle 55, 66, 84 and 120 kg
9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Qualification Rounds
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. – Semifinals and Repechage
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. – Finals

About FILA

FILA, the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles, is the global governing body of the sport of wrestling. It works to promote the sport and facilitate the activities of its 177 national federations from around the world. It is based in Corsier-Sur-Vevey, Switzerland. 

To learn more about FILA’s campaign to keep wrestling in the Olympic Games visit its official website, http://www.fila-official.com/; Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/fila.official, or Twitter handle, @FILA_Official.