#UWWAwards

UWW 2023 Greco-Roman Wrestler of the Year Nominees

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (December 11) — United World Wrestling has announced the five nominations for the 2023 Greco-Roman Wrestler of the Year, awarded to the best Greco-Roman wrestler of the year.

The nominations reflect the results from this year’s World Championships, Continental Championships, Continental Games and Ranking Series events.

The five finalists are: 

Luis ORTA SANCHEZ (CUB)
- 67kg world champion
- Pan American Championships gold medalist
- XIX Pan-American Games champion
- Zagreb Open Ranking Series bronze medalist
- Kyrgyzstan Ranking Series bronze medalist
- Ranked No.1 in the world with 86,400 points 

Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI)
- 130kg world champion
- Asian Championships gold medalist
- 19th Asian Games champion
- Kyrgyzstan Ranking Series champion
- Ranked No.1 in the world with 76,000 points

Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ)
- 77kg world champion
- Asian Championships gold medalist
- 19th Asian Games champion
- Ranked No.1 in the world with 65,000 points  

Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ)
- 60kg world champion
- Asian Championships gold medalist
- 19th Asian Games champion
- Ranked No.1 in the world with 68,000 points

Leri ABULADZE (GEO)
- 63kg world champion
- European champion
- Kyrgyzstan Ranking Series champion
- Ibrahim Moustafa Ranking Series silver medalist
- Ranked No.1 in the world with 75,000 points

Obituary

Famed Germany coach Ostermann passes away

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (August 28) -- Heinz OSTERMANN, former head coach of Germany, passed away at the age of 85 in the night of August 26–27, 2025.

Ostermann dedicated more than 25 years of his life as national coach, leading German athletes to 9 Olympic medals, 32 World Championship medals and 60 European Championship medals. Beyond these outstanding achievements, he was known as a mentor and role model for generations of wrestlers.

The German Wrestling Federation will honor his memory with great respect and gratitude. Ostermann will be remembered internationally as one of the most influential German wrestling coaches of his time.

United World Wrestling sends it condolences to the Ostermann family.