Obituary

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

By United World Wrestling Press

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

#CanadaWrestling

Calgary Herald: Jasmine Mian, Former Olympic Wrestler, Wins Vacated Ward 3 Seat

By United World Wrestling Press

Jasmine MIAN (CAN), a '16 Rio Olympian is switching her focus from representing Canada on the wrestling mat to representing Calgary's Ward 3 at city hall for the next four years. The Calgary Herald recently highlighted the '16 Rio Olympian's road to city council.

A political newcomer once known for representing her country will now represent the north Calgary Ward 3 at city hall for the next four years.

Mian said she had been going door to door to attract voters to her message of navigating the pandemic and continuing to support developing communities in north-central Calgary and that voters gave her a clear response.

“I think that I was given a very clear mandate by the voters of Ward 3 to run a positive campaign to collaborate with the rest of the councillors on some of the big challenges we have,” said Mian.

Mian, who represented Canada as a wrestler at the 2016 Olympics, said representing her constituents will be the honour of a lifetime. She said her first priority, once the new council is sworn in, is to continue to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic. She noted that the most important ward-specific issues are ensuring services and infrastructure continue to grow.

Although she retired from wrestling after the '17 World Championships, Mian is still an active member of the wrestling community. Most recently, was a participant at the Women Lead Sport programme back in March/April 2021.

Click the link to read more on the Calgary Herald's site...Jasmine Mian, former Olympic wrestler, wins vacated Ward 3 seat