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.
 

#UWWAwards

UWW 2023 Women’s Wrestler of the Year Nominees

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (December 12) — United World Wrestling has released the five nominations for the 2023 Women’s Wrestler of the Year, which is awarded to the best senior-level women’s wrestler.

The nominations reflect the results from this year’s World Championships, Continental Championships, Continental Games and Ranking Series events.

 
The five finalist are:

Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ)
- 62kg world champion  
- Asian Championships gold medalist 
- Hungarian Ranking Series champion  
- Egypt Ranking Series champion 
- 19th Asian Games bronze medalist  
- Ranked No. 1 in the world with 95,575 points

Yui SUSAKI (JPN)
- 50kg world champion  
- Zagreb Open Ranking Series champion 
- Ranked No. 2 in the world with 58,000 points 

Akari FUJINAMI (JPN)
- 53kg world champion  
- Asian Championships gold medalist 
- 19th Asian Games Champion 
- Zagreb Open Ranking Series champion 
- Ranked No. 2  in the world with 81,000 points 

Amit ELOR (USA)
- 72kg senior world champion  
- U23 world champion 
- U20 world champion  
- Pan-American Championships gold medalist  
- Ranked No. 2 in the world with 50,000 points

Buse TOSUN (TUR)
- 2023 68kg world champion 
- 2023 European silver medalist 
- Ranked No.3  in the world with 50,505 points