Diplomacy

Lalovic Visits Baku, Meets President Aliyev

By United World Wrestling Press

BAKU (April 29) -- United World Wrestling Nenad Lalovic has traveled to Baku to meet with Ilham Aliyev President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Lalovic presented Aliyev with the UWW Golden Order, in recognition of the president's role in development of international wrestling. The Golden Order is the highest honor in international wrestling. 

Lalovic also congratulated Aliyev on his recent re-election as president and hailed the excellent organization of the Formula 1 race in Baku. He also described Azerbaijan as one of the world's leading countries in wrestling.

Saying that Azerbaijan is hosting prestigious international sporting events, Lalovic also mentioned the success fo the first European Games, which were held in Baku in 2015. Lalovic also emphasized Azerbaija'ss recent silver medal performance at the Freestyle World Cup in Iowa City, United States.

President Aliyev thanked Lalovic for his leadership and said the development of sport in Azerbaijan is crucial to raising the healthy young generation and sporting prospects.

 

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Muszukajev, Rosillo, Tosun tabbed Breakout Performers for 2023

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (December 15) — Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN), Bose TOSUN (TUR) and Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) stunned the world with their performances in 2023 and have been named United World Wrestling’s Breakout Performances of the Year in Freestyle, Women’s Wrestling and Greco-Roman respectively.

Muszukajev was a two-time world bronze medalist before 2023 but orchestrated a stunning career turnaround with his performance in Belgrade. The 65kg weight saw Musukajev triumphantly seize the world title, overcoming defending champion Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) and reigning Olympic gold medalist Takuto OTOGURO (JPN). In a defining moment in Belgrade, Muszukajev became Hungary’s second-ever world champion, bringing an end to a 44-year freestyle world title drought dating back to 1979.

Perhaps the most shocking run to the world title in Belgrade was that of Bose TOSUN (TUR) who captured the 68kg gold in the field that had Irina RINGACI (MDA), Ami ISHII (JPN), Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL), Koumba LARROQUE (FRA), Feng ZHOU (CHN), Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ), among others. 

Tosun dominated her competition with five resounding victories, including three falls, solidifying her status alongside Yasemin ADAR (TUR) as Turkiye’s only women’s wrestling world champions.

Another top performance in Belgrade was by Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) who defeated two world champions, Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) and Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM), in semifinal and final, transforming his 2019 ninth-place finish at the World Championships into a glorious 97kg gold medal.

A U20 world champion in 2019, Rosillo finished 13th at the Tokyo Olympics but has now made himself the top contender for the 97kg title in the Paris Olympics.