#ThrowBackThursday

#TBT: Monday Stops Fadzaev From Winning Fifth World Title

By Eric Olanowski

In a battle of reigning Olympic champions, Kenny MONDAY ?? defeated Arsen FADZAEV ?? in the 74kg gold-medal match at the ’89 World Championships. At the time of their meeting in Martigny, Switzerland, Fadzaev won world titles in ’83, ’85, ’86, ’87 and a gold medal at the ’88 Seoul Olympic. After the loss to Monday in ’89, he rebounded and went on to win additional world titles in ’90 and ’91 and a second Olympic gold in ’92.

Obituary

Russian Olympic Silver Medalist Gennady Strakhov Passes Away Due to COVID-19 Complications

By United World Wrestling Press

Gennady STRAKHOV, an Olympic silver medalist in freestyle wrestling for the Soviet Union, passed away due to complications caused by COVID-19. He was 76 years old.

Strakhov reached the finals of the 1972 Olympics in Munich where he faced Ben PETERSON (USA). The match ended in tie, but Peterson was awarded the gold medal based on having more falls than Strakhov. 

Prior to winning an Olympic silver medal, Strakhov claimed a gold medal at the 1970 World Championships, along with European titles in 1969 and 1972. 

The Russian Wrestling Federation (FSBR) released a statement on Strakhov's passing. 

"The Russian Wrestling Federation, athletes and coaches of national teams in women's and men's freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling sincerely condole with the family and friends of Gennady -- we deeply mourn with you."