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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Buy World Championships 2025 Tickets

Saturday, May 3, 2025 - 09:55 By United World Wrestling Press

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ZAGREB, Croatia (May 1) -- The tickets for the September World Championships are now live. The Croatian Wrestling Federation have opened the sale of the tickets from May 1 on the website eventim.hr.

TO BUY TICKETS -- CLICK HERE.

World Championships tickets have been brackets in different groups. More options will be opened later.

The tournaments will be held in Zagreb from September 13 to 21 with Freestyle kicking off proceedings on September 13. Women's Wrestling will be held after Freestyle and Greco-Roman will finish off things.

From September 13 to 20, the morning session will begin at 10:30 hours local time with qualifications and repechage rounds. On September 21, the repechage will begin at 16:30 hours.

The semifinals on September 13 will be held at 18:00 hours before moving to 16:45 hours from September 14 to 21. The medal will be held from September 14, all beginning at 18:00 hours.

For full schedule of the World Championships -- CLICK HERE.