Obituary

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

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

Share this article

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

#UnitedWorldWrestling

Lalovic meets Kyrgyzstan President, awarded Order of Friendship

Monday, December 8, 2025 - 08:25 By United World Wrestling Press

Share this article

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (December 8) -- United World Wrestling President Nenad LALOVIC visited Kyrgyzstan on an official visit last week and was received by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr JAPAROV.

The two met in Bishkek and discussed Kyrgyzstan's success in wrestling, and the Kyrgyz President noted UWW's contribution towards the development of wrestling and expressed confidence that under Lalovic's leadership the sport will continue to develop dynamically around the world.

UWW AsiaUWW Asia President Mohammed AL-AMAMLEH, left, receives the Certificate of Honor of the Kyrgyz Republic.

UWW Asia President Mohammed AL-AMAMLEH was also present during the meeting and acknowledged the contribution of the continental organization towards growing wrestling.

After the meeting, Japarov awarded Lalovic for his great contribution to the development of wrestling in Kyrgyzstan and raising the status of wrestling on the world stage. In turn, Lalovich presented Japarov with the UWW Order.

Awamleh was awarded with the Certificate of Honor of the Kyrgyz Republic.