Obituary

Bendegúz Tóth, Promising Hungarian Freestyle Wrestler, Dies at 22

By United World Wrestling Press

BUDAPEST, Hungary (June 6) -- Bendegúz Tóth, a silver medalist at the 2014 Cadet European championships, died suddenly on Friday during an outdoor training session with his teammates. The cause of death hasn’t been certified, but medical officials at the training session cited sudden heart failure. 
 
Tóth was seen as the centerpiece of Hungary’s growing freestyle wrestling program. He’d won silver medal on the Cadet European Championships in 2014, silver on the U23 European Championships in 2017, and won silver medals in both styles on the University World Championships in 2018. Tóth was also the member of the adult national team and participated on the Senior World Championships in 2019 and on the Senior European Championships in 2020.


“We are deeply pained and words are of no help in expressing the sorrow we feel at this moment,” said Mr Peter Bacsa Bureau Member of UWW and Vice-president of Hungarian Wrestling Federation. “His kind face remains forever in our image. We lost a great person and a fantastic wrestler.”

The Wrestling Federation of Hungary announced that it has also suspended training through next week.

#UnitedWorldWrestling

Julfalakyan re-elected as UWW Athletes' Commission President

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (October 1) -- Arsen JULFALAKYAN has been re-elected President of the United World Wrestling Athletes’ Commission, securing a second term from 2025 to 2029.

The London Olympic silver medalist, who first took office in 2021, was the sole candidate for the position following the Athletes’ Commission elections held during the World Championships in Zagreb.

As President of the Commission, Julfalakyan will serve as the voice of wrestlers and represent their interests at the UWW Bureau and Congress. He will also represent athletes at the IOC Athletes’ Forum, WADA, and other international organizations.

"I am grateful to the entire wrestling community for trusting me with the privilege of representing them in the UWW Bureau and on the world stage," Julfalakyan said. "I’ll do my best to carry out this mission with dignity and ensure your voice is heard worldwide.

“Special thanks to UWW President Nenad Lalovic, Bureau members, and all national federations for their support. I would also like to take this opportunity to strongly encourage wrestlers to stay actively engaged with the UWW Athletes’ Commission.”

The elections for the Athletes' Commission were held during the World Championships in Zagreb from September 12 to 20 in which nine members, including four women, were elected. These nine members are:

Arsen JULFALAKYAN (ARG)
Yui SUSAKI (JPN)
Tamas LORINCZ (HUN)
Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ)
Hassan YAZDANI (IRI)
Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE)
Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY)
Jessica LAVERS-McBAIN (AUS)
Nicolaas DE LANGE (RSA)

Following the election, UWW called for candidates for the presidency. As the sole applicant, Julfalakyan was elected unopposed and will continue as President of the Athletes’ Commission. UWW congratulates Julfalakyan on his re-election.

For any queries regarding the election or the functioning of the Athletes Commission, please contact UWW Secretariat.