Obituary

Olympic champion Mustafa Dagistanli passes away

By United World Wrestling Press

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.

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UWW adopts Sustainability Charter, reinforces core statements

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (June 28) -- United World Wrestling announced the adoption of its Sustainability Charter and new core statements that will guide the organization's future endeavors.

UWW remains committed to its mission of leading the growth of wrestling, competitive and recreational, in all its styles around the world, while striving to be globally recognized as an inspiring, innovative, and leading Olympic federation.

UWW's core statements, including its mission, vision, and values, represent the organization's fundamental beliefs that drive its decisions and actions.

Unity stands at the forefront, as UWW champions respect, belonging, and cooperation among its members. Integrity is paramount, with UWW emphasizing trustworthiness, accountability, and ethical conduct in all aspects of its operations. Finally, resilience fuels UWW's determination to overcome challenges through hard work and discipline, leading to success for the wrestling community.

In line with its dedication to a sustainable future, UWW has introduced its Sustainability Charter. This comprehensive framework is designed to promote sustainable practices, events, and approaches that contribute to wrestling's global development while addressing the world's pressing challenges. The Sustainability Charter encourages UWW and its affiliated national federations to adopt realistic and feasible approaches to support a more sustainable environment.

The principles outlined in UWW's Sustainability Charter encompass a range of sustainability practices within the sport of wrestling. These include initiatives focused on transportation, waste reduction, energy conservation, water preservation, and actions promoting social and economic sustainability.

By fostering awareness of climate and environmental issues, UWW aims to ensure the practice of wrestling for future generations amidst the challenges of climate change, economic crises, and geographic disparities that affect the global wrestling community.

UWW's commitment to sustainability aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), serving as a catalyst for change in several key areas.

Among these, pursuing the SDG 4: Quality Education, UWW strives to provide access to wrestling through grassroots and school programs while offering continuous education opportunities for coaches, referees, and administrators in close collaboration with national federations and stakeholders.

Under SDG 5: Gender Equality, UWW has integrated gender equality programs into its 2022-2026 Strategy, promoting equal opportunities and representation within the sport.

By adopting the Sustainability Charter and aligning with the SDGs, UWW showcases its dedication to sustainability, ensuring the practice of wrestling for future generations while contributing to a more sustainable world.