#Grappling

Grappling: Asian Championships from June 21

Tuesday, June 13, 2023 - 05:04 By United World Wrestling Press

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan (June 13) — After the European Championships and World Combat Games Qualifiers, Grappling will now move to the Asian Championships which will be held in Astana, Kazakhstan.

The competition, to be held in both Grappling Gi and Grappling, will be played out from June 21 to 24 at the U15, U17, U20, Senior and Veterans categories.

The Beeline Arena in the country’s capital has been chosen as the venue for the continental competition.

Fans can watch the competition live on uww.org with U15, U17 and Veterans competition in Grappling on June 21 and the same age groups in action on June 22 for Grappling Gi.

June 23 will see the U20 and Seniors take the mat in Grappling before moving to Grappling Gi on June 24.

Obituary

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

Monday, August 25, 2025 - 09:42 By United World Wrestling Press

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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.