#WrestleAmman

UWW President meets King of Jordan Abdullah II

By United World Wrestling Press

AMMAN, Jordan (August 13) -- United World Wrestling President Nenad LALOVIC met King Abdullah II of Jordan on Sunday in Amman, the host of the 2023 U20 World Championships from August 14 to 20.

Lalovic HM King Abdullah with United World Wrestling's highest decoration in recognition of his efforts in supporting sports and his belief in its role in strengthening solidarity and friendship among nations.

Jordan has played a significant role in promoting wrestling in the region by hosting world and continental championships, development camps and refugee camps.

"The feedback about the organization by Jordan has been fantastic," Lalovic said. "We are amazed by the hospitality of everyone starting with His Majesty King Abdullah, the Ministry of Sports, the National Olympic Committee and the wrestling federation. It's a major event for Jordan."

Lalovic, along with President of the Jordan Wrestling Federation Mohammed AL-AWAMLEH and the Deputy President of the federation Abdullah QUTAISHAT (JOR), attended the pre-event press conference and wished the participants luck for the tournament.

"We know that the national federation is skilled in the organization of this competition," Lalovic said. "We organized a refugee camp in Jordan five years ago. Since, we have realized that Jordan is an extremely reliable partner. We do believe that Jordan and neighboring countries are interested in combat sport and Jordan is the flagbearer."

Al-Awamleh welcomed Lalovic, confirming that Jordan will exert all its efforts to ensure the success of the championship.

"We look forward to a historic hosting of the most significant event in the history of Jordanian wrestling, and we hope that this event will mark a new beginning for the sport in Jordan," Al-Awamleh said. "Hosting an event of this magnitude is not an easy task, but the confidence of United World Wrestling, especially after Jordan organized the U15 and U20 Asian Championship, has helped."

Obit

World Grappling Committee President Bochkev passes away

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (May 2) -- United World Wrestling's World Grappling Committee's President Rizvan BOCHKEV passed away Wednesday. The sudden passing of the 59-year-old has left the UWW and its family in shock.

Bochkev, vice president of the Russian Wrestling Federation and a coach, was involved with UWW and Grappling for a long time.

Before 2013, Bochkev was an active member of Grappling and promoted it under FILA. He worked tirelessly to reintroduce it as a recognized wrestling style under UWW after it was dropped in late 2013. This gave the right recognition to a wrestling style growing in several countries.

Bochkev was elected as the President of the World Grappling Committee in 2016 and was instrumental in reintroducing the UWW World Grappling Championships. In 2022, Bochkev was re-elected as the President of the World Grappling Committee and remained an active promoter of the sport.

United World Wrestling expresses its deepest condolences to the Bochkev family.