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Lalovic Welcomes Ukraine’s Decision to Compete at European Wrestling C’ships

Friday, April 20, 2018 - 13:36 By Tim Foley

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (April 20) – United World Wrestling president Nenad Lalovic has welcomed today’s decision by Ukraine Minister of Youth and Sport to allow its nation’s wrestlers to attend the 2018 Senior European Wrestling Championships in Kaspiysk, Russia.

Earlier this month, the Minister of Youth and Sport in Ukraine banned athletes from competing in Russia, as a response to the two nation’s ongoing political conflict. However, the Ukrainian Wrestling Federation, supported by Lalovic, voted last week to attend the championships and was reinforced by today’s announcement.

“We welcome today’s decision by the minister,” Lalovic said. “Politics should never interfere with sport and we look forward to seeing the Ukrainian team compete in Kaspiysk.”

Lalovic, who is also a member of the IOC Executive Board, has been a vocal advocate for open sport. As head of the wrestling federation since 2013 Lalovic has been active in promoting positive interactions between nations both on and off the field of play.

The 2018 Senior European Wrestling Championships begin April 30th at the Ali Aliev Palace of Youth and Sports in Kaspiysk. Russia is the defending team champions in men’s freestyle and women’s wrestling, while Hungary captured the first-place team trophy in Greco-Roman.

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Lalovic awarded 'Dustlik' Order by Uzbekistan

Tuesday, October 14, 2025 - 17:17 By United World Wrestling Press

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (October 14) -- United World Wrestling President Nenad LALOVIC was awarded the Dustlik Order by President of Uzbekistan Shavkat MIRZIYOYEV on Monday in the Uzbekistan capital.

Lalovic was on an official visit to Uzbekistan and was awarded the order for significant contribution to the development of mass sports and support for martial arts in Uzbekistan.

During the meeting, Lalovic and Mirziyoyev also discussed increasing co-operation between UWW and Uzbekistan, providing expert support and promoting sports in the country, mainly wrestling, Kurash, and Mixed Martial Arts.

Uzbekistan, a country with rich history of wrestling, has seen exceptional results recently with its Greco-Roman team finishing inside top three in the world at various World Championships. It also won the Freestyle 74kg gold medal at the Paris Olympics through Razambek JAMALOV (UZB) who ended the 20-year drought for gold. 

The recent success was also a point of discussion during the meeting in Tashkent with Mirziyoyev briefing Lalovic about Uzbekistan's success.

According to Uzbekistan media, the discussions were also around hosting major continental and world championships in Uzbekistan, establishing a Regional Wrestling Academy under UWW and partnership opportunities in sports medicine, nutrition, psychology, and other priority areas.