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.

#development

UWW, Olympic Solidarity Scholarship Wrestlers Shine at African Championships

Thursday, May 7, 2026 - 12:34 By United World Wrestling Press

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ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (May 7) -- The African Championships in Alexandria, Egypt was another milestone in the United World Wrestling and Olympic Solidarity partnership.

U17, U20 and Senior African Championships were held from April 28 to May 2 and wrestlers with Olympic Solidarity scholarship shining on the mat. The tournament also saw participation of 143 wrestlers in the U17 age-group, making it one of the most highly participated U17 African Championships.

Recipients of the Olympic Solidarity scholarship won eight medals at the continental championships including two in Beach Wrestling.

The most successful wrestler was Kavelishimwe ABRAHAM (NAM) who won silver medal in the 59kg weight class of Women's Wrestling and then the same medal at 60kg in Beach Wrestling. Abraham also created history, becoming first-ever wrestler from Namibia to win silver in Women's Wrestling. She was also the first woman wrestler from Namibia to ever medal internationally when she won the silver medal at the U20 African Championships in 2023. She repeated in 2024 and last week she made history at the senior level.

Lec ANDE (CAF) also won a bronze medal in Women's Wrestling at 65kg. She later returned to Beach Wrestling in the same weight class.

Two more wrestlers won medals in Women's Wrestling. At the U20 level, Lynca NIYONKURU (BDI) won a bronze medal at 59kg while Foula KABA (GUI) managed to claim a silver medal at 57kg at the U17 level.

In Freestyle, Wotna NDOC (GBS) won a silver medal at 70kg while Raby BAPELEKIA (CGO) won a bronze medal at 65kg.