Obituary

Tragic Accident Claims Life of Russia's Zhiletezhev

By United World Wrestling Press

MOUNT ELBRUS, Russia (July 26) --- On Tuesday (July 24), Russian Wrestling Federation wrestler Ahmed ZHILETEZHEV (RWF) tragically passed away after falling off a cliff while hiking in the Buka-Bashi Mountains. 

The accident occurred in the vicinity of Mountain Elbrus, where the Russian Junior Freestyle Wrestling team is currently at a training camp (July 14-31).

On their day off, Zhiletezhev, a bronze medalist of the Russian U20 Championship 2022, and two friends Anton Suchkov and Shukhrat Rasulov, went to Buka-Bashi Mountain. Their route was not registered with the Ministry of Emergency Situations. At 20:07 on July 24, a group member was reported to have fallen into the canyon. Later, it was determined that Zhiletezhev tragically passed after falling off a cliff.

United World Wrestling expresses its deepest sympathies to the Russian Wrestling Federation and the Zhiletezhev family.

Obituary

Dr. Bernie Feldman, UWW Hall of Fame Doctor, Dies at 81

By United World Wrestling Press

TOKYO (August 4) -- Dr. Bernie Feldman, who treated thousands of international wrestlers over four decades and traveled the globe in service to the sport, has died. He was 81.

A figure on the international wrestling scene since volunteering to help at the 1983 Junior World Championships, Dr. Feldman served as a doctor for United World Wrestling at numerous Olympic, World and Continental Championships for decades.

"Dr. Feldman was a valued member of our community," said UWW president Nenad Lalovic. "He made the sport of wrestling better and helped us tremendously. We send our condolences to his family and friends. He will be missed."

Dr. Feldman was the Medical Care Supervisor in 7 Olympic Games between 1988 & 2016; 17 World Championships between 1986-2015, 3 Pan American Games & 3 World Cups. He was also awarded UWW’s Silver Star in 2008 and the Gold Star in 2012.

In addition to his on-the-mat assistance, Dr. Feldman was a key figure in helping to establish United World Wrestling's Medical Prevention and Anti-Doping Department where he served since 2003.