Obituary

Tzeno Tzenov, Longtime Bureau Member and President of European Council, Dies at 80

By United World Wrestling Press

SOFIA, Bulgaria (June 1) - Tzeno TZENOV, a bureau member during some of wrestling's biggest moments, has died. He was 80.

Born in Markovo Village in 1939, Tzenov graduated from the “Kliment Ohridski” of Sofia University with a Master of Arts in History and Archeology.

The son of a former bureau member, Tzenov had an eye for the mats and ways to help the sport grow, starting during the 1980's during his tenure as Secretary of the Bulgarian Wrestling Federation and later, vice president. Tzenov also briefly served as the President of the Bulgarian Wrestling Federation from 1987-1989.

Away from wrestling, Tzenov was elected as Secretary-General of the Bulgarian Union for Physical Culture and Sport from 1989 to 1993. From there he transitioned into an important role as a Member of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee where he had remained since 1992. 

Tzenov was also the executive director of “Bulgarian Sport” Charity Foundation since 2004 and was the President of the Control’s Council at the Bulgarian Olympic Committee since November 2005.

Mr. Tzenov's impact on wrestling is well-known, becoming a member of the European Council of FILA/UWW in 1978 where he was later elected president in 1995. Tzenov was first elected to the FILA/UWW Bureau in 2002 and subsequently re-elected in 2008 and 2014. In 2016, Tzenov was named as a bureau vice-president.

“As a long-time serving executive in sports, and as a historian, Mr. Tzenov had a great knowledge of wrestling’s culture and heritage, in particular in the European context," said United World Wrestling president Nenad Lalovic. "Combined with his experience gained in the sport’s highest instances in Bulgaria and in the International Federation, he had a pivotal role in leading wrestling towards modernity while safeguarding the core values of our sport”. 

"He will be dearly missed by everyone in the wrestling community and our deepest condolences to his wife, friends and colleagues."

Further decisions about Mr. Tzenov's funeral will be made in the coming days.

Rabah Chebbah, President of the Algerian Wrestling Federation, Dies at 55

By United World Wrestling Press

Rabah CHEBBAH, President of the Algerian Wrestling Federation and Treasurer of the Algerian NOC, passed away due to COVID-19. He was 55 years old. 

Mr. Chebbah was considered by his colleagues and sports executives as the linchpin of the Algerian sports movement.

He began his career as the technical director of the wilaya at the level of the Algiers wrestling league, before occupying the positions of DTN and national trainer of Greco-Roman wrestling. 

"We are very saddened to learn of Mr. Chebbah's passing," said United World Wrestling president Nenad Lalovic. "He was passionate about wrestling in his country and a great supporter of our initiatives and progress. We send our condolences to his family and friends. He will be missed."

In recent years Mr. Chebbah had also taken on the role of Treasurer of the Algerian NOC where he was well-liked and admired.

"Myself and the members of the Executive Committee as well as the staff of the Algerian Olympic Committee are devastated and sad by the death of Rabah Chebbah," said COA President Abderrahmane HAMMAD. "It is a great loss for the Algerian sports movement. I knew it when I was an athlete. I want to wish his children and his family all the best."

Mr. Chebbah was buried in the cemetery of Oued Romane (Algiers).