#WrestleTokyo

Al Obaidi of IOC Refugee Team Makes Winning Olympic Debut at Tokyo 2020

Tuesday, August 3, 2021 - 04:37 By Tim Foley

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CHIBA, Japan (August 3) --- Aker AL OBAIDI (EOR) of the IOC's Refugee team earned the first victory in his Olympic career Tuesday morning at the Makuhari Messe Hall in Chiba.

Al Obaidi, an Iraqi refugee now living and training in Austria, looked superb in his first round 67kg weight class match besting Souleymen NASIR (TUN) by technical fall, 8-0.

"I felt really good in the bout," said Al Obaidi. "My wrestling was good and my mind and body were working perfectly together."

In his second match, Al Obaidi dropped the quarterfinal against Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO), 10-0. Should Zoidze win his semifinal match on Tuesday night, Al Obaidi will compete in the repechage.

"I am disappointed, but I will go step-by-step. I don't have enough words to thank UWW and the IOC. I am really happy to compete and that was because of them. I am very young and I look forward to competing for a long time."

#UnitedWorldWrestling

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.