Obituary

Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov, First Kazakh to Win Olympic Gold, Dies at 69

Monday, August 3, 2020 - 12:49 By United World Wrestling Press

Share this article

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (August 3) -- Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov, who won Olympic gold for the U.S.S.R  in Greco-Roman wrestling at the Moscow Games in 1980, has died. He was 69.

Ushkempirov was the first ethnic Kazakh to win an Olympic gold in wrestling and became a national star following his performance. To honor his achievements, there is an international Junior Greco-Roman wrestling tournament named "Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov" held annually in the nation of Kazakhstan. He was also inducted into the UWW Hall of Fame in 2014.

In addition to his Olympic gold, Ushkempirov was a 1981 World champion, 1980 European silver medallist, USSR Champion (1975,1980), and Honored Master of Sports of USSR (1980). 

Ushkempirov also received the Labor of Kazakhstan award as well as the honors of "Barys", "Badge of Honor", "Parasat".

Ushkempirov

#development

UWW launches coaches’ mentorship program

Sunday, June 29, 2025 - 18:04 By United World Wrestling Press

Share this article

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (June 29) — United World Wrestling has signed an agreement with the Hungarian Wrestling Federation for a mentorship program for coaches in collaboration with the University of Hungary.

This is the first-ever coaches’ mentorship program and will be held at the KIMBA training centre from November 2 to 15 in collaboration with Hungarian federation.

The coaches who will attend the Olympic Solidarity Coaches Scholarship Programme will be eligible for the mentorship program. Upon completion of the course, selected coaches will also participate in a 14-day mentorship programme, organised in collaboration with the Hungarian federation and the KIMBA Training Centre.

The application for the Olympic Solidarity Coaches Scholarship Programme must be submitted through their respective National Olympic Committee and send a copy to: development@uww.org.

Application deadline: August 3, 2025
Course dates: October 1 – November 1, 2025
Mentorship programme: November 2 to 15, 2025

For more details, coaches and NFs are requested to contact: development@uww.org.