#BudaWrestle2018

MEDIA ALERT: Wrestling Press Conference Scheduled for 4pm at Papp László SportArena

Saturday, October 20, 2018 - 09:29 By Tim Foley

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BUDAPEST (October 20) -- United World Wrestling will host the kickoff press conference for the 2018 Wrestling World Championships Saturday afternoon in the media center of the Papp Laszlo SportArena. The press conference will start immediately following the 3:45pm draw for the 57kg, 65kg, 79kg and 92kg weight categories.

Attendees will include United World Wrestling president Nenad LALOVIC, Hungary National Wrestling Federation president Peter BACSA, and 2013 world champion wrestler Marianna SASTIN (HUN) -- who will be competing this week at 62kg in women’s wrestling.

Nenad LALOVIC (SRB)
United World Wrestling president
IOC Executive Board Member

Peter BACSA (HUN)
Bureau Member, United World Wrestling
President, Hungary National Wrestling Federation

Marianna SASTIN (HUN)
Women’s Wrestling, Hungary
2013 World Champion

Sastin, who won the 2013 world championships in Budapest, gave birth to her son Oliver in February. She will be competing at the 62kg weight category Wednesday, October 24 and Thursday, October 25 // STORY

 

Obituary

Habibi, Iran's first Olympic champion, dies aged 94

Monday, August 25, 2025 - 09:42 By United World Wrestling Press

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TEHRAN, Iran (August 24) -- Emamali HABIBI (IRI), Iran's first-ever Olympic gold medalist and United World Wrestling Hall of Fame member, passed away Sunday aged 94.

Habibi was born Babol in 1931 and won the first Olympic gold medal for Iran in 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. Facing Alimbeg BESTAEV in the final round to decide the gold medalist, Habibi secured a fall in the 67kg final and etched his name in history, became first Olympic champion for Iran.

It was a rare feat in those times as he had never wrestled at an international event before the Olympics. He would make his World Championships debut in 1959, winning gold medal at 73kg. He defended his title in 1961 and added a third gold medal in 1962 at 78kg.

Emamali HABIBI (IRI)Emamali HABIBI (IRI) with his World Championships gold medal.

He participated in the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome at 73kg and finished fourth. Habibi also has a gold medal at the 1958 Asian Games, held in Tokyo, Japan.

Habibi's legacy also includes his diverse wrestling techniques and speed on the mat which allowed him to win bouts with domination. He is widely considered one of the greatest freestyle wrestlers of his times. He was included in the UWW Hall of Fame in 2007 for his contribution to wrestling.

UWW offers its condolences to Iran Wrestling Federation and the Habibi family.