Obituary

Rahim Jeddi, 'Golden Whistle' Winner, Dies at 77

Wednesday, November 11, 2020 - 15:44 By United World Wrestling Press

Share this article

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (November 11) – Rahim Jeddi, a well-respected referee from Iran who was honored in 2006 with the 'Golden Whistle" has died at age 77.

The Golden Whistle is awarded annually to the best referee at a world championships or Olympic Games.

Jeddi worked for more than three decades as an international referee and worked several Olympic Games and world championships. Passionate for the sport of wrestling, Jeddi was was also the head of the Tehran Wrestling Association for a few years and was deeply involved in the Zurkhaneh Sports Federation helping to organize competitions and bring attention to the traditional Iranian sport.

United World Wrestling and the wrestling community offer its condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Jeddi and the Iranian Wrestling Federation.

Obit

World Grappling Committee President Bochkev passes away

Thursday, May 2, 2024 - 09:25 By United World Wrestling Press

Share this article

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (May 2) -- United World Wrestling's World Grappling Committee's President Rizvan BOCHKEV passed away Wednesday. The sudden passing of the 59-year-old has left the UWW and its family in shock.

Bochkev, vice president of the Russian Wrestling Federation and a coach, was involved with UWW and Grappling for a long time.

Before 2013, Bochkev was an active member of Grappling and promoted it under FILA. He worked tirelessly to reintroduce it as a recognized wrestling style under UWW after it was dropped in late 2013. This gave the right recognition to a wrestling style growing in several countries.

Bochkev was elected as the President of the World Grappling Committee in 2016 and was instrumental in reintroducing the UWW World Grappling Championships. In 2022, Bochkev was re-elected as the President of the World Grappling Committee and remained an active promoter of the sport.

United World Wrestling expresses its deepest condolences to the Bochkev family.