Beach Blog: Casablanca to host third World Series event of 2025 this weekend

Thursday, September 4, 2025…  One of the best life lessons one of my coaches taught involved my fist, immersed elbow deep, in a bucket of cold water.  He had me keep it there for a full three minutes.

“Now… slowly, carefully… ease your hand out of the water.”  You know the moral.  It didn’t leave a hole.

The 2025 Beach World Series hosts its third in a series of five events this weekend in Casablanca, Morocco.  I won’t be there.

Like the bucket of water, my presence will not be missed.  But that doesn’t ease my missing it… more importantly, them!  The people who contribute to any wrestling event are a special breed, but none as completely giving as those in the Beach community.

First, as I explained to our team and office, Eva and I are fine.  No health or emergency issues.  We simply had some of those pesky life-Issues gang up on us and can’t get away.

We had flights booked.  Non-refundable are always the most affordable until you have to eat ‘em.  Hotel, though, was refundable.  So, we got that payment back.

Feeling guilty for bailing on the cause, I had pretty much decided not to write at all this week.  A few American and global Beach leaders asked me to, at least, offer an invitation to the reader.  Casablanca is an event that demands your full attention.  So, there… you’re invited!

This weekend will be the first of two Beach events on the African continent this year.  The finale is scheduled in Alexandria, Egypt in October.

There’s a noticeable excitement about Beach Wrestling in Africa, as Senegal prepares to host the Youth Olympic Games  a year from October.  Casablanca hosts the African Continental Championship for the U15, U17, and U20 age groups Thursday and Friday this week.

I will also miss getting to meet delegation members from several new nations expected to compete this weekend.  Athletes from Republic of Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Madagascar, and Namibia will test themselves against traditional Beach powers Azerbaijan, Georgia, Greece, Iran, Ukraine and the United States.

Also of note, Russia is reportedly sending a team.  I suspect you already know that, technically, Russian and Belarussian athletes compete under the “UWW” banner, as their national federations are currently under IOC sanction.  Regardless of the initials on their shorts, Russia is likely not sending slouches to World level competition.

Team USA is fielding a bright combination of studs and newcomers.  Pay close attention to Gary Abbott’s coverage of the event.

I plan to put my hand back in that bucket of water while I miss being in the fray.  Count on me though.  I will still be one of a handful of unyielding supporters. 

Out of respect, I will not try to fake a blog from afar.  TheMat.com will post daily wrap stories.  I will add a closing commentary Sunday night, after the event.

To all participants, American and others: Know that you are loved, missed and supported.

Ciao,

Rusty & Eva