Obituary

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

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

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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

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Lalovic re-elected as ASOIF Council member

Thursday, June 12, 2025 - 08:41 By United World Wrestling Press

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LAUSANNE, Switzerland (June 11) — United World Wrestling President Nenad LALOVIC was re-elected as the Council member of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) at its 49th General Assembly convened Wednesday in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Lalovic was among the three who secured four-year term with Jean-Christophe ROLLAND, President of World Rowing and Andreas ZAGKLIS, Secretary General of the International Basketball Federation. Ximena Restrepo, Senior Vice President of World Athletics was elected for a two-year term.

ASOIF

The ASOIF General Assembly began with addresses from International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas BACH and IOC President-Elect Kirsty COVENTRY. Bach thanked the Summer Olympic International Federations (IFs) for their important contributions over the last years in making the Olympic Games more modern, younger and sustainable, as highlighted at its best at Paris 2024.

Coventry stressed the importance of working closely with the IFs to deliver the best Olympic Games for the athletes and build a better world through sport. She explained how both priorities are closely connected with Olympic athletes inspiring the next generation.