#UWWAwards2022

Sharshenbekov secures UWW’s Greco-Roman Wrestler of the Year award

Friday, December 30, 2022 - 18:47 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (December 30) -- Zholoman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) has secured United World Wrestling’s 2022 Greco-Roman Wrestler of the Year award.

Sharshenbekov reached the World Championships finals two times prior to his appearance in the 2022 finals, but this year, he broke the final barrier and won the gold medal in Belgrade.

Wrestling at 60kg, the Kyrgyzstan star defeated Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL), 11-2, in two minutes and 30 seconds to seal a memorable world title.

Had it not been for compatriot Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) at 77kg 48 hours before, Sharshenbekov would have been the first-ever male world champion for his country. Despite that, Sharshenbekov announced himself as a serious contender for the Paris Olympics.

The World Championships was not the only highlight of the year for Sharshenbekov.

He also won the Asian Championships in April over Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) to set the pace for the season.

The two championships gold medals and a bronze medal at the Bolat Turlykhanov Cup Ranking Series, collectively, awarded Sharshenbekov 55000 ranking points, making him the top-ranked wrestler at the end of the year.

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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.