UWW Live

UWW LIVE: Fredrik Bjerrehuus - Denmark's 25th Greco-Roman Olympian

By United World Wrestling Press

Fredrik BJERREHUUS (DEN) became Denmark's 25th Greco-Roman Olympian by placing fifth at the 2019 World Championships in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. 

Bjerrehuus joined United World Wrestling's Eric Olanowski to talk about qualifying for the Tokyo Olympic Games, dreaming of standing atop the Olympic podium for six straights day after locking up his spot in Tokyo and whether or not he plans on transitioning to MMA after he's done wrestling.
 

Obituary

U.S. Greco-Roman star Alan Vera passes away

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (September 24) -- United States Greco-Roman wrestler and Pan-Am champion Alan VERA (USA) passed away Monday. Vera suffered a sudden cardiac arrest earlier this year and had been hospitalized since then in recovery from his serious health challenges.

Vera was born in Cuba and won a bronze medal at the 2015 Pan American Games and a gold medal at the 2016 Pan American Championships, while competing for Cuba. He immigrated to the United States and lived in Florida for a number of years. He continued to train and compete in Greco-Roman and various international events for a few years.

Vera qualified the U.S. for the Paris Olympics in 97kg at the 2024 Pan-American Olympic Qualification Tournament in Acapulco, Mexico.

Very saddened to hear about Alan Vera’s passing. In my limited time around him he was always willing to help on the mat, and offer a laugh at a terrible joke I made

— Kyle Dake (@kyledake444) September 24, 2024
 

Domestically, Vera claimed his first U.S. national title in 2020, and won four national titles during his career.

Vera was married to Elena PIROZKHOVA (USA), a two-time Olympian and former world champion.

United World Wrestling mourns the death of Vera and stands with the Vera family.