Obituary

Bendegúz Tóth, Promising Hungarian Freestyle Wrestler, Dies at 22

Saturday, June 6, 2020 - 18:55 By United World Wrestling Press

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BUDAPEST, Hungary (June 6) -- Bendegúz Tóth, a silver medalist at the 2014 Cadet European championships, died suddenly on Friday during an outdoor training session with his teammates. The cause of death hasn’t been certified, but medical officials at the training session cited sudden heart failure. 
 
Tóth was seen as the centerpiece of Hungary’s growing freestyle wrestling program. He’d won silver medal on the Cadet European Championships in 2014, silver on the U23 European Championships in 2017, and won silver medals in both styles on the University World Championships in 2018. Tóth was also the member of the adult national team and participated on the Senior World Championships in 2019 and on the Senior European Championships in 2020.


“We are deeply pained and words are of no help in expressing the sorrow we feel at this moment,” said Mr Peter Bacsa Bureau Member of UWW and Vice-president of Hungarian Wrestling Federation. “His kind face remains forever in our image. We lost a great person and a fantastic wrestler.”

The Wrestling Federation of Hungary announced that it has also suspended training through next week.

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UWW President Lalovic conferred Order of Dostyk by Kazakhstan

Wednesday, February 26, 2025 - 15:08 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (February 26) -- United World Wrestling President Nenad LALOVIC was conferred the Order of Dostyk of the second degree by Kazakhstan President Kassaym Jomart TOKAYEV for his contribution to the development of wrestling in Kazakhstan.

The Order of Dostyk of second degree is one of the state awards of Kazakhstan which it confers foreign nationals for their efforts in peace, friendship and cooperation between people.

Lalovic was in the country in second week of February and visited various sports facilities including the under-construction National Sports University in Astana.

"I am glad to visit Astana again," Lalovic was quoted as saying by Kazakhstan media. "Your city is becoming more beautiful and modern. Today, I got acquainted with the new sports infrastructure, surveyed several facilities that have made sports an integral part of the urban environment. Sports complexes are built at a high level, providing comfort for both athletes and fans. Each of them is capable of hosting international competitions."

Highlighting the key role wrestling plays in enhancing the country’s stance on the international arena, Tokayev hailed the achievements of Kazakhstan wrestlers following their successful performance at major world competitions.

Kazakhstan won its first-ever Freestyle gold medal at senior World Championships in 2023 when Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) won at 92kg. Last year, Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) won gold at 70kg in Tirana to become the second world champion from the country.

In Greco-Roman, it has five gold medals from three wrestlers while in Women's Wrestling, it has no gold but multiple silver medalists.