#UWWAwards2022

Sharshenbekov secures UWW’s Greco-Roman Wrestler of the Year award

Friday, December 30, 2022 - 18:47 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (December 30) -- Zholoman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) has secured United World Wrestling’s 2022 Greco-Roman Wrestler of the Year award.

Sharshenbekov reached the World Championships finals two times prior to his appearance in the 2022 finals, but this year, he broke the final barrier and won the gold medal in Belgrade.

Wrestling at 60kg, the Kyrgyzstan star defeated Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL), 11-2, in two minutes and 30 seconds to seal a memorable world title.

Had it not been for compatriot Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) at 77kg 48 hours before, Sharshenbekov would have been the first-ever male world champion for his country. Despite that, Sharshenbekov announced himself as a serious contender for the Paris Olympics.

The World Championships was not the only highlight of the year for Sharshenbekov.

He also won the Asian Championships in April over Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) to set the pace for the season.

The two championships gold medals and a bronze medal at the Bolat Turlykhanov Cup Ranking Series, collectively, awarded Sharshenbekov 55000 ranking points, making him the top-ranked wrestler at the end of the year.

United World Wrestling Statement on Iranian Wrestlers

Friday, February 27, 2026 - 16:56 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (February 27) -- United World Wrestling recognizes that global conflicts and political tensions deeply impact sport, and wrestling in particular. While UWW’s ability to directly influence national or international affairs is limited, the organization remains firmly committed to supporting wrestlers and advocating for their protection wherever possible, including through sport diplomacy and engagement with the broader wrestling and Olympic community.

UWW has activated its contacts within the sports movement following the recent events in Iran. The organization has received reports from various sources, though their full accuracy is difficult to verify.

Reports suggest that some situations may have been resolved in the meantime, but wrestler Saleh Mohammadi remains at risk of a capital sentence in Iran. UWW calls for a fair, transparent, and impartial trial, conducted in full respect of fundamental rights, and reaffirms its opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances.

United World Wrestling continues to closely monitor the situation while mourning all the victims affected by this tragedy.