#UWWLIVE

UWW LIVE: Almat Kebispayev (KAZ), Four-Time World Medalist

By United World Wrestling Press

Almat KEBISPAYEV (KAZ) has won four world medals in Greco-Roman wrestling since 2010. Last year, Kebispayev claimed a bronze medal at 61kg in his home country of Kazakhstan at the 2019 World Championships in Nur-Sultan. Kebispayev has also won four medals at the Asian Championships, including gold medals in 2011 and 2018. He was a silver medalist at the 2018 Asian Games.

Kebispayev joined Eric Olanowski to talk about winning a world medal in his home country, joining his Kazakh teammates for their first training camp since the pandemic hit, and made the announcement that he's moving up to 67kg for a run at a third Olympic appearance.
 

#UnitedWorldWrestling

UWW President Lalovic meets Azerbaijan Economic Minister, federation President Jabbarov

By United World Wrestling Press

BAKU, Azerbaijan (December 12) -- United World Wrestling President Nenad LALOVIC met with Economic Minister of Azerbaijan Mikayil JABBAROV, who is also the President of the Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation, in Baku on Wednesday.

They were accompanied by Namik ALIYEV, UWW Bureau Member and Gordon TEMPLEMAN, Director of Commercial Operations & Communications at UWW.

The discussions between the two parties revolved around the growth of wrestling in Azerbaijan, Grappling, Pankration, Amateur MMA, and an inaugural pro league in wrestling by UWW.

"We were pleased to meet with Nenad LALOVIC, President of United World Wrestling," Jabbarov wrote in a social media post. "During our discussion, we highlighted the initiatives undertaken to develop wrestling in Azerbaijan, including efforts to train young talents and enhance cooperation to further elevate the professionalism and international achievements of our athletes.

We were pleased to meet with Nenad Lalović, President of United World Wrestling (@wrestling). During our discussion, we highlighted the initiatives undertaken to develop wrestling in #Azerbaijan, including efforts to train young talents and enhance cooperation to further elevate… pic.twitter.com/qtwcY80JS1

— Mikayil Jabbarov (@MikayilJabbarov) December 11, 2024

"We also emphasized that the inclusion of the Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation in the leadership of UWW’s newly established Committee for Grappling, Pankration, and Amateur MMA reflects the high level of trust placed in our country’s wrestling community."

Azerbaijan has been a hotspot of wrestling and hosted the European Olympic Games Qualifier for the Paris Games in 2024. It also hosted the U23 European Championships and European Grappling Championships. In 2022, it played host to the Greco-Roman World Cup. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Azerbaijan qualified 12 wrestlers and won three bronze medals.