#WrestleTirana

Tirana to host 2023 U23 World Championships

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (September 15) -- United World Wrestling has decided to reallocate the 2023 U23 World Championships to Tirana, Albania. The event was originally scheduled to be held in Tampere, Finland.

The World Championships in Tirana will run from October 23 to 29, 2023 with Freestyle kicking off the competition followed by Women's Wrestling and Greco-Roman. The deadline for the entries has been set for October 5, 2023.

Albanian Wrestling Federation hosted the 2023 U17 European Championships and was the best among the candidacies received by UWW.

UWW acknowledges the inconvenience these changes may cause the National Federations. UWW wants to emphasize that all the decisions made were centered around the well-being of the athletes and their opportunity to participate in wrestling events worldwide. It also appreciates the understanding and cooperation during this transition.

NFs are requested to contact UWW for further questions or assistance.

Obituary

UWW Hall of Fame, former Medical Commission chair Tavakol passes away

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (February 29) -- Dr. Mohammad TAVAKOL, a former member of the United World Wrestling Bureau and Hall of Famer, passed away in Tehran at the age of 89 after a period of illness.

Born in 1923 in Qazvin, Iran, Tavakol chaired the Iranian Wrestling Federation and was the Vice President of the UWW. He also held membership in the Executive Committee of the UWW and was the chairman of the Medical Commission of UWW. He was inducted into the UWW Hall of Fame in 2011.

Tavakol graduated in medicine from the University of Tehran and studied in England for his specialization. He began his wrestling career under the supervision of the late Habibollah BOLOUR, the former head coach of the national Iranian wrestling team.

Tavakol served four six-year terms as a member of the Executive Committee of the UWW and was elected as the head of the UWW Asia for a four-year term. He had a significant impact on medical coverage of wrestling competitions during his role as the head of the Medical and Anti-Doping Commission.

UWW mourns the passing of Dr. Tavakol and expresses deepest sympathies to the Tavakol family.