Obituary

Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov, First Kazakh to Win Olympic Gold, Dies at 69

Monday, August 3, 2020 - 12:49 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (August 3) -- Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov, who won Olympic gold for the U.S.S.R  in Greco-Roman wrestling at the Moscow Games in 1980, has died. He was 69.

Ushkempirov was the first ethnic Kazakh to win an Olympic gold in wrestling and became a national star following his performance. To honor his achievements, there is an international Junior Greco-Roman wrestling tournament named "Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov" held annually in the nation of Kazakhstan. He was also inducted into the UWW Hall of Fame in 2014.

In addition to his Olympic gold, Ushkempirov was a 1981 World champion, 1980 European silver medallist, USSR Champion (1975,1980), and Honored Master of Sports of USSR (1980). 

Ushkempirov also received the Labor of Kazakhstan award as well as the honors of "Barys", "Badge of Honor", "Parasat".

Ushkempirov

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Meskout re-elected as UWW-Africa President

Tuesday, May 17, 2022 - 15:01 By United World Wrestling Press

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El JADIDA, Morocco (May 17) -- President of Royal Moroccan Wrestling Federation Fouad MESKOUT was Monday re-elected as the President of UWW-Africa.

A UWW Bureau member, Meskout was given his second term during the General Assembly of the council that was held on the sidelines of the African Championship in El-Jadida.

"I congratulate Mr Meskout for his re-election as UWW-Africa President and I trust he will take up all challenges in the development and strengthening of our great sport on the continent," Nenad LALOVIC, President of United World Wrestling, said.

Elections were held for the entire UWW-Africa Council and Sissa ELISE (CMR), Hamza DOGHDOGH (ALG), Mohamed ELSAYED (EGY), Raveloson MAMITIANA (MAD), Allou KADJO (CIV) and Allah OWLO (SUD) were elected for the fresh term.

The delegates of thirty member federations of the continent gathered for this assembly where activity and financial reports of the council were presented and approved.