Obituary

Hall of Fame Greco-Roman Wrestler Andersson Passes Away

By United World Wrestling Press

Hall of Fame Greco-Roman wrestler Frank Andersson of Sweden, a 1984 Olympic bronze medalist and three-time world champion, passed away on Sunday after complications from heart surgery. He was 62.

Andersson was born in Trollhatten, Sweden, in May 1956. He competed mostly in Greco-Roman, but also had success in freestyle. Andersson represented Sweden at three Olympic Games, competing at 90kg. At the Montreal Games in 1976, he placed fifth in Greco, and seventh in the freestyle competition. In 1980, Andersson placed fourth in Greco at the Moscow Games. In his final Olympic competition, Andersson eared a bronze medal in 1984 at the Los Angeles Games. 

In addition to his Olympic medals, Andersson won five world medals, including world gold medals in 1977, 1979 and 1982. He was a world silver medalist in 1978 and 1981. He was also very successful at the European Championships, claiming gold medals in 1976, 1978, 1979, and 1981, and silver medals in 1977, 1980, and 1982.

Following his amateur wrestling career, Andersson embarked on a professional wrestling career, then starred in several TV shows. 

In 2006, Andersson was welcomed into the World Amateur Wrestling Hall of Fame.
 

#Anti-Doping

CAS sanctions Datunashvili for anti-doping violation

By United World Wrestling Press

COSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (November 26) -- The Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport has sanctioned former world champion Zurabi DATUASHVILI (SRB) with five years of ineligibility and disqualified all results obtained by the athlete from May 27, 2021.

This comes after anti-doping rule violations committed by Datunashvili, following investigations conducted by the International Testing Agency in April 2023. United World Wrestling acknowledges the decision rendered by the CAS ADD.

Datunashvili was provisionally suspended for the wrestler's use of a prohibited method and for tampering with the doping control process. The case was referred to the CAS ADD, which found that the athlete had violated the doping rules. 

After the decision, Datunashvili was imposed with a five-year ineligibility, and all competitive results obtained by the wrestler between May 27, 2021, and April 11, 2023, are disqualified.

Datunashvili has since appealed parts of this decision before the CAS Appeal Division. Considering the pending appeal, the reallocation of results and medals associated with this case remains suspended pending the final decision.

UWW, committed to clean sport, supports the ongoing efforts of the ITA to ensure adherence to anti-doping regulations.