Obituary

Turkish Wrestling Great Kazim Ayvaz Passes Away

Monday, January 27, 2020 - 03:21 By United World Wrestling Press

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Turkish Greco-Roman wrestling great Kazim AYVAZ, an Olympic champion and multiple-time world champion, passed away last Sunday at the age of 83. 

Ayvaz competed in three consecutive Olympics from 1960 to 1968. In 1964, Ayvaz captured a gold medal in Greco-Roman at the Tokyo Olympics in the lightweight category. In addition, he won world titles in 1958 and 1962. 

Ayvaz was born in Rize, Turkey, in 1937. His wrestling career started in 1953 at the age of 15. After his competitive wrestling career, Ayvaz spent time training Turkish wrestlers before moving to Sweden. 
 

World Wrestling Day - May 23

Saturday, May 23, 2026 - 03:45 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (May 23) -- The World Wrestling Day is celebrated on May 23 every year. It marks the occasion of first-ever unofficial World Championships held in Vienna, Austria in 1904. Since then, wrestling day has been a celebration for the wrestling family around the world.

The 1904 World Championships was held only in two weight classes of Greco-Roman and five countries participated in the tournament. There were 26 wrestlers -- 19 from Austria, three from Denmark, two from Germany and one each from Hungary and Bohemia, a former kingdom in Europe.

United World Wrestling wishes everyone a happy World Wrestling Day.