Obituary

Russian Olympic Silver Medalist Gennady Strakhov Passes Away Due to COVID-19 Complications

By United World Wrestling Press

Gennady STRAKHOV, an Olympic silver medalist in freestyle wrestling for the Soviet Union, passed away due to complications caused by COVID-19. He was 76 years old.

Strakhov reached the finals of the 1972 Olympics in Munich where he faced Ben PETERSON (USA). The match ended in tie, but Peterson was awarded the gold medal based on having more falls than Strakhov. 

Prior to winning an Olympic silver medal, Strakhov claimed a gold medal at the 1970 World Championships, along with European titles in 1969 and 1972. 

The Russian Wrestling Federation (FSBR) released a statement on Strakhov's passing. 

"The Russian Wrestling Federation, athletes and coaches of national teams in women's and men's freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling sincerely condole with the family and friends of Gennady -- we deeply mourn with you."
 

#BeachWrestling

Youth Olympics host Dakar gets 2024 African Beach Wrestling C'ships

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (December 11) -- The second edition of the African Beach Wrestling Championships will be held on June 22 and 23 in Dakar, Senegal, next year.

Dakar will host the 2026 Youth Olympic Games and recently hosted the second edition of the Dakar en Juex festival in November with Beach Wrestling featuring at the festival. United World Wrestling will provide continuous assistance to the organizers as Senegal prepares for the Youth Olympics as well.

The tournament will be a senior-level event in eight weight classes -- four each in men's and women's. The competition in men's will be held in 70kg, 80kg, 90kg and +90kg while women will compete in 50kg, 60kg, 70kg, and +70kg weight classes.

The first edition of the African Beach Wrestling Championships was held in 2023 in Hammamet, Tunisia with wrestlers in all eight weight classes.