#WrestleNice

'22 Grand Prix de France Henri Deglane Postponed

By United World Wrestling Press

NICE, France (January 13) -- It is with much disappointment that the French Wrestling Federation (Fédération de Française de Lutte) informed that the Grand Prix de France Henri Deglane 2022 is officially postponed. The decision has been taken after several meetings within the French Wrestling Federation and with the French Ministry of Sports. Given the current COVID-19 situation in France and the world, the French Wrestling Federation recognizes that they cannot organize the competition without putting at risk the athletes and staff. Therefore, they have decided not to maintain the Grand Prix next week.

The Federation is very disappointed by this news as they have worked tirelessly for this event, but the health of the athletes obviously comes first. They hope to organize the Grand Prix later this year but cannot make any commitments at this time.

If participants already paid the competition fees, they will be reimbursed in full.

#UWWAwards2022

Sharshenbekov secures UWW’s Greco-Roman Wrestler of the Year award

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (December 30) -- Zholoman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) has secured United World Wrestling’s 2022 Greco-Roman Wrestler of the Year award.

Sharshenbekov reached the World Championships finals two times prior to his appearance in the 2022 finals, but this year, he broke the final barrier and won the gold medal in Belgrade.

Wrestling at 60kg, the Kyrgyzstan star defeated Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL), 11-2, in two minutes and 30 seconds to seal a memorable world title.

Had it not been for compatriot Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) at 77kg 48 hours before, Sharshenbekov would have been the first-ever male world champion for his country. Despite that, Sharshenbekov announced himself as a serious contender for the Paris Olympics.

The World Championships was not the only highlight of the year for Sharshenbekov.

He also won the Asian Championships in April over Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) to set the pace for the season.

The two championships gold medals and a bronze medal at the Bolat Turlykhanov Cup Ranking Series, collectively, awarded Sharshenbekov 55000 ranking points, making him the top-ranked wrestler at the end of the year.