#WrestleBelgrade

Tickets on sale for 2023 Wrestling World Championships

Thursday, August 3, 2023 - 15:00 By Eric Olanowski

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BELGRADE, Serbia (August 4) -- Tickets are now available for the high-anticipated 2023 Wrestling World Championships which will be held at the Stark Arena in Belgrade, Serbia from September 16-24.

The 2023 Freestyle, Greco-Roman and Women’s Wrestling World Championships are the first of six qualifying events for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. A total of 90 Olympic quotas -- 30 each in Freestyle, Greco-Roman and Women’s Wrestling -- are up for grabs in the Serbian capital.

Wrestlers who earn gold, silver or bronze medals earn a bid to the 2024 Olympics for their nation. Additionally, the two wrestlers who lose the bronze-medal bouts will be involved in a wrestle-off to determine the fifth quota for the Paris Olympics.

Other Olympic Qualification Events:
March 01-03: Pan-American Olympic Qualifier in Acapulco, Mexico 
March 22-24: African and Oceania Olympic Qualifier in Cairo, Egypt
April 04-07: European Olympic Qualifier in Baku, Azerbaijan
April 19-21: Asian Olympic Qualifier in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
May 09-12: World Olympic Qualifier in Istanbul, Turkiye

CLICK HERE FOR THE 2023 WRESTLING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TICKETS

2023 Wrestling World Championships Event Details:
Dates: September 16th-24th, 2023
Venue: Stark Arena, Bulevar Arsenija Carnojevica 58, New Belgrade

Ticket Prices (Cash Only):
All-session tickets = 450 € / $490.60
Individual daily tickets = 50 € / $55.00

Payment Method:
Please note only cash payments will be accepted for tickets upon arrival at the Stark Arena Accreditation Center.

Ticket Collection:
Fans can collect their tickets at the Accreditation Center at Stark Arena. The ticket collection desk will be open daily from September 14th-24th from 10:00-20:00.

Ticket Pickup Requirements:
When picking up your ticket(s), an ID card is required for verification purposes. Please present your email confirmation at the Accreditation Center to ensure a smooth process.

Note: The event details and ticket information are subject to change. Please stay updated through our official channels for any announcements or adjustments to the schedule.

Obituary

Habibi, Iran's first Olympic champion, dies aged 94

Monday, August 25, 2025 - 09:42 By United World Wrestling Press

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TEHRAN, Iran (August 24) -- Emamali HABIBI (IRI), Iran's first-ever Olympic gold medalist and United World Wrestling Hall of Fame member, passed away Sunday aged 94.

Habibi was born Babol in 1931 and won the first Olympic gold medal for Iran in 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. Facing Alimbeg BESTAEV in the final round to decide the gold medalist, Habibi secured a fall in the 67kg final and etched his name in history, became first Olympic champion for Iran.

It was a rare feat in those times as he had never wrestled at an international event before the Olympics. He would make his World Championships debut in 1959, winning gold medal at 73kg. He defended his title in 1961 and added a third gold medal in 1962 at 78kg.

Emamali HABIBI (IRI)Emamali HABIBI (IRI) with his World Championships gold medal.

He participated in the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome at 73kg and finished fourth. Habibi also has a gold medal at the 1958 Asian Games, held in Tokyo, Japan.

Habibi's legacy also includes his diverse wrestling techniques and speed on the mat which allowed him to win bouts with domination. He is widely considered one of the greatest freestyle wrestlers of his times. He was included in the UWW Hall of Fame in 2007 for his contribution to wrestling.

UWW offers its condolences to Iran Wrestling Federation and the Habibi family.