Schoolboy

Wrestling to Participate in 2019 ISF Combat Games with World Level Schoolboy Event

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY (June 25) -- United World Wrestling met the International School Sport Federation (ISF) met last week in Györ during the School European Championships in order to speak about the next Combat Games that will be organized by ISF and the Hungarian Sport School Federation.

The event was also an opportunity for the ISF to watch a School-level event as organized by United World Wrestling. With more than 600 athletes the participation showed that the age category is getting more popular.

The meeting was organized June 16 with Mr. Tzeno Tzenov, UWW Vice-President and UWW Europe President; Mr. Tibor Farkas and Peter Bacsa of the Hungarian Wrestling Federation; Mr. Francesco Fiorini, Sports and Development Manager of the ISF; Ms. Eszter Szollos, Events Dpt Manager at the Hungarian School Sport Federation; and Jean-Daniel Rey, UWW Sports Director.

During that meeting, Schoolboys were confirmed as the age category for the next ISF Combat Games. The 10 weight categories per style will be organized in Budapest. This event will be organized in the middle of June and will be composed with four Combat Sports (Judo, Karate, Taekwondo and Wrestling).

This age category was chosen in order to see if there is a big interest around the world as United World Wrestling doesn’t currently organize Schoolboys world-level event.

Mr. Tzenov said that he is very confident for this organization as the Hungarian Wrestling Federation knows how to organize great wrestling event. With a good collaboration between the National Wrestling Federation and the National School Sport Federation, there is no doubt that all sides will enjoy a great event.

Obit

Habibi, Iran's first Olympic champion, dies aged 94

By United World Wrestling Press

TEHRAN, Iran (August 24) -- Emamali HABIBI (IRI), Iran's first-ever Olympic gold medalist and United World Wrestling Hall of Fame member, passed away Sunday aged 94.

Habibi was born Babol in 1931 and won the first Olympic gold medal for Iran in 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. Facing Alimbeg BESTAEV in the final round to decide the gold medalist, Habibi secured a fall in the 67kg final and etched his name in history, became first Olympic champion for Iran.

It was a rare feat in those times as he had never wrestled at an international event before the Olympics. He would make his World Championships debut in 1959, winning gold medal at 73kg. He defended his title in 1961 and added a third gold medal in 1962 at 78kg.

Emamali HABIBI (IRI)Emamali HABIBI (IRI) with his World Championships gold medal.

He participated in the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome at 73kg and finished fourth. Habibi also has a gold medal at the 1958 Asian Games, held in Tokyo, Japan.

Habibi's legacy also includes his diverse wrestling techniques and speed on the mat which allowed him to win bouts with domination. He is widely considered one of the greatest freestyle wrestlers of his times. He was included in the UWW Hall of Fame in 2007 for his contribution to wrestling.

UWW offers its condolences to Iran Wrestling Federation and the Habibi family.