#UnitedWorldWrestling

Lee Lopez re-elected as ACODEPA president

Friday, June 2, 2023 - 05:22 By

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LIMA, Peru (May 20) -- Francisco Lee LOPEZ was re-elected as the President of the Pan-American Association of Sports Confederations (ACODEPA) on Saturday for a new four-year term.

Lee Lopez will also be on the Executive Committee of Panam Sports which is the leading sports organization in the Americas, promoting and protecting the values of sports and the rights of athletes across the continent. Lee López's presence on the executive committee of this organization is a demonstration of his commitment to sports and athletes in the region.

"Thank you very much for your trust and support, without which I would not be in this important position in sports in America. As always, Yuri Maier's work has been fundamental to the success of my administration," said Lee López.

In addition, Yuri MAIER, currently United World Wrestling's Sports & Development Officer, has been appointed as Sports Director for ACODEPA and a Panam Sports Technical Commission Member for the term 2023-2027.

#TurkiyeWrestling

UWW mourns death of nine wrestlers 

Friday, February 10, 2023 - 18:32 By United World Wrestling Press

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COSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (February 11) -- Five days after multiple earthquakes hit the Kahramanmaraş province in southwest Turkiye, nine wrestlers were confirmed dead on Friday.  

In the aftermath of the earthquake which measured 7.8 on the Richter scale, people were stuck under the rubble and large-scale efforts are still continuing to save lives.

The following are the nine wrestlers that we have lost:

Mehmet ESKISARILI
Ahmet TAS
Ali GURSOY
Eray SIMSEK
Halil EDIRNE
Hasan SARITURK
Ozan TATLI
Ahmet DURMAN
Aslan EKIZ

United World Wrestling mourns their death.

"It is with a heavy heart to report we have lost nine wrestlers in the earthquakes that took place on February 6,” Nenad LALOVIC, UWW President, said “I ask that we remember these wrestlers, say their names aloud and pray for them and their families. The whole entire wrestling community is devastated by the loss of these young men who had a bright future ahead of them.”

More than 25,000 people have died so far as the earthquake hit Kahramanmaraş, affecting southwest Turkiye and northwest Syria.

A U20 wrestling tournament finished hours a night before the earthquake struck. Teams from France, Uzbekistan, Kosvo and Turkiye were participating in it. All the international wrestlers were sent home safely the next day. However, with the wrestling club demolished, a few Turkish wrestlers were stuck under the rubble.

On the first day, 21 wrestlers were saved immediately and others were subsequently rescued from under the rubble.

Olympic champion Taha AKGUL (TUR) was among the first ones to call for help and save the "30-40 wrestlers" stuck under the rubble. Four-time world champion Riza KAYAALP (TUR), Kerem KAMAL (TUR) and many others have volunteered and reached the earthquake-affected areas. They have joined hands to help and rescue the victims. The wrestling community around the world has shown support and donated to help Turkiye.

President of the Turkish Wrestling Federation Seref EROGLU, who belongs to Kahramanmaras, has been present at the site from the first day and joined the rescue operations.