Obituary

Olympic champion Mustafa Dagistanli passes away

Wednesday, September 21, 2022 - 15:11 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY (September 20) -- Two-time Olympic champion and member of the United Wrestling Hall of Fame Mustafa DAGESTANLI (TUR) passed away on Monday. He was 91 years old.

Born in 1931 in Soguroinar village of Carsamba, Turkey, Dagistanli won gold medals at the 1956 and 1960 Olympic Games. He was also a three-time world champion with gold medals in 1954, 1957 and 1959.

In the 1956 Melbourne Games, Dagistanli won gold in the 56kg weight class. Four years later in Rome, he jumped up to 62kg and finished on the top of the podium.

Dagistanli made his debut for Turkey in 1953 but quickly became one of the most dominant wrestlers in the world and won the first world title in Tokyo in 1954.
 
In his 320 recorded bouts in Turkey, Dagistanli won 319 out of 320 bouts and 70 out of 73 at the international level. The achievement puts him among the best wrestlers walking on the planet during his active days.

After his retirement, he worked as a coach and was part of the Turkish Wrestling Federation. He also served in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey as the Samsun Deputy of the Justice Party for two terms between 1973-1980 and received the State Distinguished Service Medal.

#WrestleAmman

UWW President meets King of Jordan Abdullah II

Sunday, August 13, 2023 - 18:20 By United World Wrestling Press

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AMMAN, Jordan (August 13) -- United World Wrestling President Nenad LALOVIC met King Abdullah II of Jordan on Sunday in Amman, the host of the 2023 U20 World Championships from August 14 to 20.

Lalovic HM King Abdullah with United World Wrestling's highest decoration in recognition of his efforts in supporting sports and his belief in its role in strengthening solidarity and friendship among nations.

Jordan has played a significant role in promoting wrestling in the region by hosting world and continental championships, development camps and refugee camps.

"The feedback about the organization by Jordan has been fantastic," Lalovic said. "We are amazed by the hospitality of everyone starting with His Majesty King Abdullah, the Ministry of Sports, the National Olympic Committee and the wrestling federation. It's a major event for Jordan."

Lalovic, along with President of the Jordan Wrestling Federation Mohammed AL-AWAMLEH and the Deputy President of the federation Abdullah QUTAISHAT (JOR), attended the pre-event press conference and wished the participants luck for the tournament.

"We know that the national federation is skilled in the organization of this competition," Lalovic said. "We organized a refugee camp in Jordan five years ago. Since, we have realized that Jordan is an extremely reliable partner. We do believe that Jordan and neighboring countries are interested in combat sport and Jordan is the flagbearer."

Al-Awamleh welcomed Lalovic, confirming that Jordan will exert all its efforts to ensure the success of the championship.

"We look forward to a historic hosting of the most significant event in the history of Jordanian wrestling, and we hope that this event will mark a new beginning for the sport in Jordan," Al-Awamleh said. "Hosting an event of this magnitude is not an easy task, but the confidence of United World Wrestling, especially after Jordan organized the U15 and U20 Asian Championship, has helped."