Kinshasa, August 20th, 2026 (CPA). – The Congolese Wrestling Federation (Fecoca), in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has announced to CPA on Thursday that it is organising an international wrestling festival from September 4th to 6th in Kinshasa, under the patronage of the Minister in charge of Sport, with the participation of nine (9) countries from Africa and Europe. “The Congolese Wrestling Federation (Fecoca) will organise, from September 4th to 6th, 2026, an international wrestling festival, under the patronage of the Minister in charge of Sport, Didier Budimbu, with the participation of nine countries – including two from Europe and seven from Africa – as well as DRC, the host country,” has declared Nseka Mpakasa, Fecoca’s vice-president in charge of organising competitions.
Strong participation from African countries
Regarding the participating countries, Nseka Mpakasa has indicated that, apart from DRC, the host of the event, there will be nine nations taking part, including two from Europe – namely France and Belgium – as well as six from Africa: Angola, Benin, Congo, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo. In total, 102 wrestlers are expected to attend the event in Kinshasa, including 60 from DRC – 20 from the capital and 40 from the provinces.
Shaolin in Kinshasa for his final bout
Wrestler Simba Shaolin (Photo: Archive)
According to the vice-president of Fecoca, Shaolin – one of the iconic figures of wrestling in DRC, who lives in Europe – will be a major attraction at this Kinshasa festival, as he is set to contest the final bout of his career there. Like all the other athletes expected to attend – the first of whom are due to arrive on September 1st – Shaolin will find out who his opponent is following a sort of multiple-choice draw.
Special prizes from the Minister in charge of Sport
As for the prizes to be awarded to the various wrestlers, according to Mpakasa, these are the hidden gems that the Minister in charge of Sport and Leisure, Didier Budimbu, has set aside for the most deserving, to please everyone, as a symbol of his support. On the organisational front, high-class hotels have already been booked for all the wrestlers, who will have no concerns regarding their meals.
Invitation extended to the Head of State, DRC’s foremost sportsman
In the run-up to this event, during which Fecoca is determined to revive the spectacle of wrestling as in the good old days of the 1970s and 1980s, an invitation has been extended, via the Minister in charge of Sport, to the Head of State, Felix Tshisekedi, the foremost Congolese sportsman, to attend – if possible, provided his work schedule permits – and experience the wonderful atmosphere expected at this gala. As for the public, the vice-president of Fecoca believes there will be a large turnout, especially as the admission price will be affordable even for those on modest incomes.