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Two world champs highlight World Championships presser in Zagreb

Thursday, September 11, 2025 - 21:57 By United World Wrestling Press

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ZAGREB, Croatia (September 11) -- The opening press conference of the 2025 World Championships will be highlighted by two world champions, including two Olympic champions, on September 12.

Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN), Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI), Wyatt HENDRICKSON (USA) and Ivan HUKLEK (CRO), Croatia's Tokyo Olympian attend the press conference, scheduled to be held at 15:00 hours local time in Zagreb on Friday.

United World Wrestling President Nenad LALOVIC and Croatian Wrestling Federation President Vladimir BREGOVIC will also be present at the press conference which will be held a day before the start of the World Championships.

Tazhudinov won the world gold in 2023 at 97kg. He followed that up by winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, becoming Bahrain's first-ever Olympic champion in wrestling.

Zare is a two-time world champion, winning gold medal in 2021 and 2023. He also has two medals at the Olympics -- bronze in Tokyo and silver in Paris.

The press conference will be held:

Date: September 12, 2025

Venue: Westin Hotel, Zagreb

All media members must collect their accreditation following the opening press conference. Your presence is highly appreciated and we look forward to welcoming you.

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UWW President Lalovic Meets Azerbaijan President Aliyev in Baku

Thursday, July 30, 2026 - 05:14 By United World Wrestling Press

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BAKU, Azerbaijan (July 29) -- United World Wrestling President Nenad LALOVIC met President of Azerbaijan Ilham ALIYEV on Wednesday. Baku is hosting the U17 World Championships from July 27 to August 2.

Lalovic and Aliyev discussed the success of wrestling and Lalovic emphasized that the U17 World Championship was organized at a high level. He also expressed his gratitude to Aliyev for his support and for the activities of UWW.

Azerbaijan has been one of the most successful wrestling countries and it continues to develop and hosts various events. Lalovic mentioned that UWW has had successful cooperation with the Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation for organizing wrestling events.

Wrestling Nenad LALOVICNenad LALOVIC, left, with Azerbaijan President Ilham ALIYEV.

Aliyev mentioned the importance of the U17 World Championship held in Baku for the future success of young wrestlers, and noted the importance of organizing such sporting events in our country in the future.

Azerbaijan is hosting the U17 Worlds after 14 years and the 2026 edition has already created history with 675 participants, the most ever. 

During the meeting, both noted that wrestling has rich traditions in Azerbaijan, and touched upon the work being done at the state level for its development.

An exchange of views was held on issues of cooperation between Azerbaijan and UWW.

The participants of the tournament praised the arrangements in Baku and gave positive reviews of the same.

Armenia's head coach Gagik KHACHATRYAN told the team that his team's experience in Baku had been positive.

"I've been a coach for many years, and nowhere have we been welcomed the way we have here," he said. "My impression of Baku is very positive. The organisation is at a very high level. Everything is well coordinated - the competitions, the logistics, the overall workflow," he said.

 

He also praised the spectators for their sportsmanship and positive attitude.

"Everyone treated us very warmly. Nobody showed any negative attitude," he said. "The fans supported fair competition and clean sport."