FILA is happy to announce that Mr. Jason Townsend, Head of Grappling Pan-America, accepted the position of competition manager for the first Youth Olympic Games that will take place in Singapore from 14 to 26 August 2010. This unique event will bring together cadets from all over the world and feature Olympic-level competitions in Greco-Roman, Freestyle, Female, and Beach Wrestling. Mr. Townsend visited the FILA headquarters last June and could briefly meet Mr. Martinetti who wished him plenty of success for the great challenge he is about to take up. In addition to run the competition in the four wrestling styles mentioned above, Mr. Townsend will bring his contribution to the development of the newly formed Singapore Wrestling Federation. He will take up his post next August and stay in Singapore until the end of September 2010.

The person appointed to replace Mr. Townsend during his stay in Singapore is Mr. Clint Kingsbury, Domestic Development Manager at the Canadian Amateur Wrestling Association. Mr. Kingsbury is highly committed to the development of grappling on the American continent through his position as FILA Referee Instructor, but also through his involvement in the organization of the first KCG Grappling International that took place in Ottawa, Ontario on 8-9 August 2009. The tournament was held in the Gi and No-Gi divisions and also served as the World Team Trials for the 2009 World Championships. Canada will present between 2 and 3 competitors per weight category in the World Championship with an almost brand new national team since none of the male grapplers who participated in Lucerne qualified again. Sheila Bird (2008 World Champion in 63kg) and Alaina Hardie qualified for their second participation in the Worlds and we wish them best of luck. The complete results can be downloaded at the following link.  

FILA wishes Mr. Kingsbury plenty of success for his new appointment as Head of Grappling Pan-America. To be noted that Mr. Kingsbury will also lead the referees' course that will take place in Siauliai, Lithuania before the European and Veteran World Championships.