#ThrowBackThursday

#TBT: Olympic Champion Steveson Wins First World Title

Thursday, January 13, 2022 - 12:58 By United World Wrestling Press

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Gable STEVESON (USA) became an overnight sensation after winning a thrilling final and the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics with wins over former world champions Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) and Taha AKGUL (TUR). The American was trailing Petriashvili in the 125kg final in Tokyo but scored two takedowns in the final 10 seconds to win the coveted Olympic title at the age of 21.

But a three-time age-group world champion has a habit of punching about his weight. In 2015, a 15-year-old Steveson made a stunning run at the Cadet World Championships in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and won the gold medal with a 9-0 victory over Khasanboy RAKHIMOV (UZB). He outscored his opponents 47-12.

Since then he won the 2016 cadet world title, 2017 junior world title, 2021 senior Pan-Am Championships gold and the Tokyo Olympics gold with just the 2018 Junior World Championships being a lackluster event for him. The defending champion there finished fifth as Rakhimov avenged his loss from 2015 with a pin.

#UnitedWorldWrestling

Lalovic awarded 'Dustlik' Order by Uzbekistan

Tuesday, October 14, 2025 - 17:17 By United World Wrestling Press

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (October 14) -- United World Wrestling President Nenad LALOVIC was awarded the Dustlik Order by President of Uzbekistan Shavkat MIRZIYOYEV on Monday in the Uzbekistan capital.

Lalovic was on an official visit to Uzbekistan and was awarded the order for significant contribution to the development of mass sports and support for martial arts in Uzbekistan.

During the meeting, Lalovic and Mirziyoyev also discussed increasing co-operation between UWW and Uzbekistan, providing expert support and promoting sports in the country, mainly wrestling, Kurash, and Mixed Martial Arts.

Uzbekistan, a country with rich history of wrestling, has seen exceptional results recently with its Greco-Roman team finishing inside top three in the world at various World Championships. It also won the Freestyle 74kg gold medal at the Paris Olympics through Razambek JAMALOV (UZB) who ended the 20-year drought for gold. 

The recent success was also a point of discussion during the meeting in Tashkent with Mirziyoyev briefing Lalovic about Uzbekistan's success.

According to Uzbekistan media, the discussions were also around hosting major continental and world championships in Uzbekistan, establishing a Regional Wrestling Academy under UWW and partnership opportunities in sports medicine, nutrition, psychology, and other priority areas.