Obituary

Daniel Robin, Double Olympic Silver Medalist and Hall of Fame Wrestler, Dies at 74

By Tim Foley

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (May 24) – Hall of Fame wrestler Daniel ROBIN (FRA), who won two silver medals at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, died Wednesday at the age of 74.

A native on Bron, France (near Lyon) Robin became France’s first first world champion wrestler in 1967. At the 1968 Olympic Games Robin earned silver medals in Greco-Roman and freestyle, both at welterweight. He is the only wrestler to ever earn two silver medals at the same Olympic Games.

Following his career on the mat, Robin became head national team coach for France and later vice-president of the French Wrestling Federation. After retirement Robin began working with FILA and United World Wrestling as a technical delegate. In 2010 Robin was named to the organizing committee of the 2012 London Olympics as director of the wrestling operations.

Robin was inducted into the United World Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2012.

“Daniel was a great champion of our sport and his passion for wrestling was everlasting,” said United World Wrestling president Nenad LALOVIC. “As a person he touched the lives of many through kindness and his willingness to share how wrestling had such a positive impact on his life. My condolences go out to his family during this time.”

Robin was the in-house French announcer at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and was the technical delegate for the 2018 Commonwealth Games last month in Gold Coast, Australia.

Wrestlers from around the world remembered Robin with fondness Wednesday, remarking on his positive attitude and passion for developing the sport.

“Daniel Robin was an ambassador for wrestling and his commitment to improving the sport never stopped, he was actively involved with young wrestlers. His accomplishment as a double Olympic silver medallist depicts his passion for the sport in a feat that is one of a kind,” said Secretary General Michel DUSSON.

“He devoted his life to wrestling and was an accomplished champion but more over a great friend. He will be dearly missed, and my thoughts are with his family.”

#development

UWW, Olympic Solidarity Scholarship Wrestlers Shine at African Championships

By United World Wrestling Press

ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (May 7) -- The African Championships in Alexandria, Egypt was another milestone in the United World Wrestling and Olympic Solidarity partnership.

U17, U20 and Senior African Championships were held from April 28 to May 2 and wrestlers with Olympic Solidarity scholarship shining on the mat. The tournament also saw participation of 143 wrestlers in the U17 age-group, making it one of the most highly participated U17 African Championships.

Recipients of the Olympic Solidarity scholarship won eight medals at the continental championships including two in Beach Wrestling.

The most successful wrestler was Kavelishimwe ABRAHAM (NAM) who won silver medal in the 59kg weight class of Women's Wrestling and then the same medal at 60kg in Beach Wrestling. Abraham also created history, becoming first-ever wrestler from Namibia to win silver in Women's Wrestling. She was also the first woman wrestler from Namibia to ever medal internationally when she won the silver medal at the U20 African Championships in 2023. She repeated in 2024 and last week she made history at the senior level.

Lec ANDE (CAF) also won a bronze medal in Women's Wrestling at 65kg. She later returned to Beach Wrestling in the same weight class.

Two more wrestlers won medals in Women's Wrestling. At the U20 level, Lynca NIYONKURU (BDI) won a bronze medal at 59kg while Foula KABA (GUI) managed to claim a silver medal at 57kg at the U17 level.

In Freestyle, Wotna NDOC (GBS) won a silver medal at 70kg while Raby BAPELEKIA (CGO) won a bronze medal at 65kg.