Obituary

Olympic champ Ogan passes away at 89

By United World Wrestling Press

COSIER-VEVEY, Switzerland (April 29) --- İsmail OGAN (TUR), the two-time Olympic medalist and 1964 Tokyo Olympic champion, passed away earlier this week. He was 89 years old.

Ogan was born on March 5, 1933, in the Macun Village, Aksu District of Antalya, Turkey. He began his storied wrestling career in 1950 under the tutelage of trainers Yaşar DOGU (TUR) and Celal ATIK (TUR).

Olgan quickly made a name for himself in the wrestling world, winning three world medals and gold and silver medals at the Olympic Games. He started his impressive international career with a silver-medal finish at the 1957 Istanbul World Championships. Two years later, he won a second medal on the world stage, claiming bronze at the 1959 Tehran World Championships.

A year later, Olgan won a silver medal at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games after falling to American Douglas BLUGAUGH in the 73kg finals. But Olgan saved his most impressive performance for the final competition of his career, the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games. He defeated two-time world champion Guliko SAGARADZE (USSR) and improved his Rome Olympic silver to a Tokyo Olympic gold.

After retiring from wrestling following the 1964 Games, Olgan continued to give back to the wrestling community by coaching young Turkish athletes.

#WrestleSantiago

WATCH LIVE: 2023 Pan-American Games, Day Two

By Eric Olanowski

SANTIAGO, Chile (November 2) --- The second day of wrestling at the Pan-American Games is underway. Freestyle and women’s wrestling will share the stage today, with the competition beginning for freestyle at 65kg 86kg and women’s wrestling at 50kg and 57kg.

In freestyle, reigning champion Alejandro VALDES TOBIER (CUB) will try to defend his title from the 2019 Lima Pan-American Games. Valdes Tobier sits on the opposite side of the 65kg bracket with America’s Nahshon GARRETT, and has a bye in his opening round match.

In the quarterfinals, he’ll meet Joseph SILVA (PUR), who also has an opening round bye. The winner of that match will meet either Albaro RUDECINDO (DOM) or Uber CUERO (COL).

In women’s wrestling, the biggest storyline to follow in this morning session will be the opening round match at 57kg between Hannah TAYLOR (CAN), a U23 world bronze medalists, and Tokyo Olympian Luisa VALVERDE (ECU). This is a match that most thought would be the gold-medal bout, but with random draws, fans get to see it in the first round.

- Watch Thursday’s action: Freestyle 65kg and 86kg // Women’s Wrestling 50kg and 57kg
- 2023 Pan-American Games brackets

- Upcoming bout order