Obituary

Alexander Ivanitsky, Tokyo Games Olympic Champion, Dies at 82

Saturday, July 25, 2020 - 15:35 By United World Wrestling Press

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MOSCOW (July 25) -- Alexander Ivanitsky, who won a gold medal at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, was found yesterday after an accidental drowning. He was 82.

According to Ivanitsky's son, the four-time world champion had been missing for two days after leaving for a mushroom hunting trip. It's believed he drowned while trying to cross the Wayne River in the Moscow Region of Russia. A member of the United World Wrestling Hall of Fame, Ivanitsky was a global figure well-known for his work in the sport after retiring.

A native of Yarovaya, Krasnolimansky, Donetsk (in present day Ukraine), Ivanitsky was one of the most celebrated champions in Soviet Russia. After his wrestling career came to an end Ivanitsky worked at a news channel in charge of its sport department.

"Our community is very sad to hear of Mr. Ivanitsky's passing. He was a great champion with a reputation that young wrestlers admired. Our thoughts are with his family and friends," said United World Wrestling president Nenad Lalovic.

Obituary

Hall of Fame Greco-Roman Wrestler Andersson Passes Away

Monday, September 10, 2018 - 14:51 By United World Wrestling Press

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Hall of Fame Greco-Roman wrestler Frank Andersson of Sweden, a 1984 Olympic bronze medalist and three-time world champion, passed away on Sunday after complications from heart surgery. He was 62.

Andersson was born in Trollhatten, Sweden, in May 1956. He competed mostly in Greco-Roman, but also had success in freestyle. Andersson represented Sweden at three Olympic Games, competing at 90kg. At the Montreal Games in 1976, he placed fifth in Greco, and seventh in the freestyle competition. In 1980, Andersson placed fourth in Greco at the Moscow Games. In his final Olympic competition, Andersson eared a bronze medal in 1984 at the Los Angeles Games. 

In addition to his Olympic medals, Andersson won five world medals, including world gold medals in 1977, 1979 and 1982. He was a world silver medalist in 1978 and 1981. He was also very successful at the European Championships, claiming gold medals in 1976, 1978, 1979, and 1981, and silver medals in 1977, 1980, and 1982.

Following his amateur wrestling career, Andersson embarked on a professional wrestling career, then starred in several TV shows. 

In 2006, Andersson was welcomed into the World Amateur Wrestling Hall of Fame.