Obituary

Bulgarian Olympic Champ Dobrev Passes Away

Wednesday, April 3, 2019 - 14:50 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY (April 3) -- Bulgarian wrestler Dimitar Dobrev, a 1960 Olympic champion and multiple-time Olympic medalist in Greco-Roman, passed away on April 1. He was 87 years old. 

Dobrev competed at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia, claiming a silver medal in the middleweight division. Four years later, Dobrev captured a gold medal at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, Italy, competing at middleweight. In addition, he placed in the top five at the World Championships three times. Dobrev was the first and only Bulgarian to serve as the national coach of both freestyle and Greco. 

Born in Ezerche, Bulgaria, Dobrev participated in gymnastics before his competitive wrestling career. He later became a mathematician.

DPR Korea Organizes 'Women in Wrestling' Tournament on Wrestling Day

Wednesday, June 3, 2026 - 17:16 By United World Wrestling Press

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DPR KOREA (June 3) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea marked its Wrestling Day celebrations on May 23 by organising a Women's Wrestling tournament.

The tournament, named 'Women in Wrestling' was organised to promote wrestling and to encourage female participation in sports and to promote of social interest for wrestling.

DPR Korea

DPR Korea is one of the most successful countries in Women's Wrestling as it finished second in the team rankings at the 2025 World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia.

With only seven wrestlers, the DPR Korea returned with five medals including two golds. Two other wrestlers won silver medals while one won bronze. The dominance will once again be on display later this year at the World Championships and the Asian Games.