Obituary

U.S. Greco-Roman star Alan Vera passes away

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (September 24) -- United States Greco-Roman wrestler and Pan-Am champion Alan VERA (USA) passed away Monday. Vera suffered a sudden cardiac arrest earlier this year and had been hospitalized since then in recovery from his serious health challenges.

Vera was born in Cuba and won a bronze medal at the 2015 Pan American Games and a gold medal at the 2016 Pan American Championships, while competing for Cuba. He immigrated to the United States and lived in Florida for a number of years. He continued to train and compete in Greco-Roman and various international events for a few years.

Vera qualified the U.S. for the Paris Olympics in 97kg at the 2024 Pan-American Olympic Qualification Tournament in Acapulco, Mexico.

Very saddened to hear about Alan Vera’s passing. In my limited time around him he was always willing to help on the mat, and offer a laugh at a terrible joke I made

— Kyle Dake (@kyledake444) September 24, 2024
 

Domestically, Vera claimed his first U.S. national title in 2020, and won four national titles during his career.

Vera was married to Elena PIROZKHOVA (USA), a two-time Olympian and former world champion.

United World Wrestling mourns the death of Vera and stands with the Vera family.

#BeachWrestling

WATCH LIVE: African Beach Wrestling Championships, Dakar

By United World Wrestling Press

DAKAR, Senegal (June 22) -- The senior African Beach Wrestling Championships is underway in Dakar, Senegal with more than 100 wrestlers competing in men's and women's categories.

The men's weight classes are 70kg, 80kg, 90kg and +90kg while the women's weight categories are 50kg, 60kg, 70kg and +70kg.

This is the second edition of the African Beach Wrestling Championships with the first held in Hammamet, Tunisia last year. The competition will be played out on Saturday and Sunday in two rings.

WATCH AFRICAN BEACH WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS LIVE

RING A


RING B