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

#WrestleBudapest

#WrestleBudapest Day Four Finals Preview Show

Thursday, March 31, 2022 - 11:57 By Eric Olanowski

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Freestyle wrestling is in the rearview, which means we’ll crown women’s wrestling champions tonight at 50kg, 55kg, 59kg 68kg and 76kg.

In the 50kg finals, you’ll see European champion Miglena SELISHKA ?? and world bronze medalist Evin DEMIRHAN ??.

At 55kg, Ukraine’s 19-year-old star Oleksandra KHOMENETS ?? will square off against reigning U23 world and European champion Andreea ANA ??

Anastasia NICHITA ?? is looking for her eighth European title across all age-grou[s and second on the senior level. She’ll compete against Jowita WRZESIEN ?? in the 59kg finals.

You’ll see the reigning world and European champion IrinIrina RINGACI ?? wrestle Pauline LECARPENTIER ?? of France in the 68kg gold-medal bout.

We’ll close out the night with the premier match of the night as Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Yasemin ADAR ?? will look to add a fifth European gold to her resume. She’ll wrestle Estonia’s reigning European champion Epp MAE ?? for gold at 76kg.

Tonight’s finals begin at 18:00 (local time) and can be followed live on www.uww.org.

Thursday Night’s Finals:
50kg: Miglena SELISHKA ?? vs. Evin DEMIRHAN ??
55kg: Oleksandra KHOMENETS ?? vs. Andreea ANA ??
59kg: Anastasia NICHITA ?? vs. Jowita WRZESIEN ??
69kg: Irina RINGACI ?? vs. Pauline LECARPENTIER ??
76kg: Yasemin ADAR ?? vs. Epp MAE ??