#WrestleOslo

#TBT: Sadulaev and Snyder Square off in #WrestleTokyo 97kg Olympic Finals

By Eric Olanowski

Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RWF) and Kyle SNYDER (USA) collided in Tokyo with 97kg Olympic gold on the line. It was the third time the pair of Rio Olympic champions clashed. ‘The Russian Tank’ fell in their first meeting but won two straight matches and gained the 2-1 series advantage after securing a 6-3 finals win.

Sadulaev, the now-two-time Olympic champ and Snyder are seeded first and second, respectively, at 97kg for the #WrestleOslo World Championships (October 2-10). They'll meet for a fourth time if they stay undefeated until the finals.

#WrestleOslo ➡️ 16 Days.

Obituary

U.S. Greco-Roman star Alan Vera passes away

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (September 24) -- United States Greco-Roman wrestler and Pan-Am champion Alan VERA (USA) passed away Monday. Vera suffered a sudden cardiac arrest earlier this year and had been hospitalized since then in recovery from his serious health challenges.

Vera was born in Cuba and won a bronze medal at the 2015 Pan American Games and a gold medal at the 2016 Pan American Championships, while competing for Cuba. He immigrated to the United States and lived in Florida for a number of years. He continued to train and compete in Greco-Roman and various international events for a few years.

Vera qualified the U.S. for the Paris Olympics in 97kg at the 2024 Pan-American Olympic Qualification Tournament in Acapulco, Mexico.

Very saddened to hear about Alan Vera’s passing. In my limited time around him he was always willing to help on the mat, and offer a laugh at a terrible joke I made

— Kyle Dake (@kyledake444) September 24, 2024
 

Domestically, Vera claimed his first U.S. national title in 2020, and won four national titles during his career.

Vera was married to Elena PIROZKHOVA (USA), a two-time Olympian and former world champion.

United World Wrestling mourns the death of Vera and stands with the Vera family.