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.
 

#WrestleZagreb

WATCH: Chasing Greco 87kg Gold at World C'ships

By United World Wrestling Press

ZAGREB, Croatia (December 4) -- If there was one weight class in Greco-Roman at the World Championships in Zagreb which was extremely unpredictable, it was 87kg.

Olympic silver medalist Alireza MOHAMDI (IRI) was leading a pack of wrestlers who had medals at the World Championships, both senior and age-group, continental championships and even at the Olympics.

WATCH FULL DOCUMENTARY HERE

Paris bronze medalist Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) was primed to win the gold as well after a good start to the season. Then there was European champion David LOSONCZI (HUN).

Former European champion Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) was expected to be on the podium. Other names included age-group world champs in Asan ZHANYSOV (KGZ), Exacue MUKUBU (NOR), Vigen NAZARYAN (ARM), Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) and Mukhammadkodir RASULOV (UZB) among others.

As the day progressed in Zagreb, a few of those names fell apart and it was Komarov, Mohmadi, Losonczi and Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) who reached the semifinals before Komarov and Mohmadi clashed for the gold medal.

Mohmadi, a silver medalist at 82kg from 2023, was leading the final but Komarov made a solid comeback and clinched the gold medal, 4-3, becoming the second male wrestler to win gold medals at all World Championships.