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©2026 United World Wrestling
UWW license is mandatory for all Athletes participating in UWW competitions. This rule applies to all wrestling styles recognized by the UWW: Olympic, Associated Disciplines and Beach Wrestling. The license is purchased by the National Federations via the Athena platform all through the year. It is valid for all UWW wrestling styles and age categories until 31st December of the current year. It insures the Licensee at UWW competitions under the conditions described below, and enables National Federations to enter their Wrestlers in competitions published on the UWW calendar.
To get a license, the National Federation uploads the Athlete's photo (portrait only, ID/Passport format & quality, plain light) and international passport onto Athena. UWW validates the documents and the Federation can then upload the UWW Annual Medical Certificate, and proceed with the purchase of the license. Once the license has been validated, the Federation can proceed with the Athlete's registration on Athena.
Participants in the U15 categories are also insured by UWW. Their Federation must apply for a licence via Athena, and submit the same documents as other age categories (passport and UWW Annual Medical Certificate). ID cards are accepted for the youngest members of this category (13 and 14 years). No payment is required for the U15 licenses, it is free of charge.
In the event of accident or illness while traveling to a competition abroad listed on the UWW Calendar, Licensees are insured by IMSSA Insurance who covers full medical expenses at the competition venue (provided the illness or accident first occurred during the competition). On return to the country of residence and for the continuation of the treatment, IMSSA will intervene in a subsidiary basis to the Athlete's local insurance, meaning that IMSSA will cover the cost that is not paid by the Licensee's local insurance.
Also, when a Licensee participates in a UWW competition in his/her country of residence, IMSSA does not cover any expenses related to illness/sickness, but only accident expenses and on a subsidiary basis.
In view of the above, all our License holders are encouraged to take out comprehensive insurance in their country of residence to ensure adequate coverage in cases where IMSSA’s insurance applies on a subsidiary basis.
For all details on IMSSA Insurance and the procedure to follow, see details under Governance / License / Insurance.
Each UWW Federation is fully accountable for all Wrestlers in its country. Therefore, licenses are purchased by our Federations prior to competitions via Athena. Licenses are not sold on site, nor to individuals.
Each Federation has access to Athena and can log into its account using its username (which is the Federation’s official UWW email address) and password - If the Federation loses the password, it can click on “Password lost?” and follow the procedure that will be sent instantly to its official UWW email address.
To purchase a license for a new Wrestler, the Federation has to create the profile and upload an international passport and a photo (portrait only, ID/Passport format & quality, plain light)
Tuto creation of a new profile : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wpHANJxN6M
UWW teams will review and validate the documents within a few days (“in principle, within 7 working days from the time of upload”, as indicated in the License Regulations). Once the documents have been validated, the Federation can upload the signed UWW Annual Medical Certificate, proceed with the purchase, and select one of the two payment options below
The Federation will receive an order confirmation by email, followed by a separate email confirming the validation of the license. See here the UWW bank details
For the renewal of a license (Athlete who already had one in the past), the Federation needs to upload the UWW Annual medical certificate and proceed with the purchase.
Tuto how to buy a license : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI5Th9qLZ_s
For Athletes of all age categories, the UWW Annual Medical Certificate and Athlete's Declaration above is required, duly signed by a Doctor and by the Athlete. No other documents are accepted. By signing this document, the Athlete's Doctor declares he/she is fit to take part in UWW competitions, and the Athlete agrees to abide by all UWW Regulations. For minor Athletes in their country, the form should be signed by a parent/guardian, thereby authorizing him/her to compete in his/her age category, or in the upper age category when allowed by UWW Rules.
For Veterans: in addition to the UWW Medical Certificate to be downloaded in Athena when purchasing the license, each Veteran must undergo another medical examination in his own country one week before the competition. This UWW Veteran Medical Certificate (above) must be completed and signed by a licensed Physician one week before the competition, and handed to the designated UWW Doctor during the weigh-in.
For Amateur MMA Athletes: In addition to the UWW Annual Medical Certificate and Athlete’s Declaration to be downloaded in Athena when purchasing the license, each Amateur MMA Athlete must undergo an additional medical examination in their own country one week before the competition. Athletes must bring the completed UWW certificate above to the pre-weigh-in medical examination, where it will be signed by the UWW Doctor.
Athletes' age categories / License fees / License validity
If you have questions concerning the age categories of your Athletes, you may check below
When the licence is confirmed by UWW on Athena, it will be valid until 31st December of the year. Note that licenses purchased in November of each year will be valid until 31 December of the following year.
In 2016, our IT Team introduced a new license card featuring a QR code, which can be revalidated from one year to the next. All Athletes purchasing a license for the first time receive their personal card through their Federation within the following months. The following year, when the Federation renews the Athlete’s license, its validity is immediately updated and can be checked by scanning the QR code. The license card can be kept throughout the Athlete’s entire sporting career, as it is reusable.
Each Athlete must present his/her license at the weigh-in to the UWW Referee or Delegate. Wrestlers without a valid license are not eligible to compete. The list of licensed Athletes for each country can be printed by the Federation via Athena also contains a QR code and is accepted as valid proof of licensure.
Should you need any help or info, please contact licensing@uww.org
More information concerning IMSSA Insurance is provided on the back of each card, including the insurer’s details, website, username and password for submitting an insurance claim online. This information is also available on our website under Governance / License / Insurance.
Veteran World Championships • Amman, Jordan