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

#WrestleAlexandria

Nigeria Dominates African Championships with 4 WW Golds

Friday, May 1, 2026 - 17:21 By United World Wrestling Press

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ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (May 1) -- Barring a close loss at the 68kg weight class, Nigeria put up a near flawless performance at the African Championships. Nigeria won four out of five Women's Wrestling gold medals that were on offer on Saturday while the one went to hosts Egypt.

After the U17 and U20 African Championships, the senior continental began in Alexandria, Egypt with all 10 Greco-Roman and five Women's Wrestling weight classes.

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The golden night for Nigeria began when defending champion Christianah OGUNSANYA (NGR) maintained her perfect record at the African Championships, winning the 53kg gold for the fourth time. Wrestling Nogona BAKAYOKO (CIV) in the final, Ogunsanya led 7-1 when the Ivory Coast wrestler pulled out of the final citing injury. The forfeit gave the U23 world bronze medalist Ogunsanya the victory.

At 57kg, Jumoke ADEKOYE (NGR) also became a four time African champion adding to her gold medals from 2022, 2023 and 2025. She defeated Achouak TEKOUK (ALG), 8-4, a final much closer than the score indicates.

The third gold for Nigeria came at 62kg as world bronze medalist Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR) won all four of her round-robin bouts with ease. She outscored her opponents 40-0, winning all four bouts via technical superiority.

In her first bout against Mouda HAMDOUN (EGY), who finished with a silver medalist, Kolawole used only one minute to gets a takedown and four turns to win the bout, a virtual final in hindsight.

At 76kg, Damola OJO (NGR) defended her gold medal to become a two-time African champion and win the fourth gold medal for Nigeria. She defeated Pelagie WILITA (CMR), 3-1, in the gold medal bout.

Sabah KHAMIS (EGY)Sabah KHAMIS (EGY) celebrates after beating Hannah RUEBEN (NGR) in Round 1 bout at 68kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

The only weight class in which Nigeria did not win a medal was 68kg. Local star and U20 African champion on Thursday Sabah KHAMIS (EGY) upset defending champion Hannah RUEBEN (NGR) in their round-robin bout.

In what turned out to be the match of the morning session as they met in Round 1, Khamis held on to a thrilling 8-7 victory over Rueben who now has eight African Championships medals with three golds and five silvers.

Photo

RESULTS

53kg
GOLD: Christianah OGUNSANYA (NGR) df. Nogona BAKAYOKO (CIV), via inj. (7-1)

BRONZE: Zineb ECH CHABKI (MAR) df. Latifatu MOHAMMED (GHA), via forfeit
BRONZE: Cheima CHEBILA (ALG) df. Israa SLIMI (TUN), 8-0

57kg
GOLD: Jumoke ADEKOYE (NGR) df. Achouak TEKOUK (ALG), 8-4

BRONZE: Chahd JELJELI (TUN) df. Sara ETTAKI (MAR), via fall (4-0)

62kg
GOLD: Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR)
SILVER: Mouda HAMDOUN (EGY)
BRONZE: Esraa JABRI (TUN)

68kg
GOLD: Sabah KHAMIS (EGY)
SILVER: Hannah RUEBEN (NGR)
BRONZE: Joseth MAVUNGU (ANG)

76kg
GOLD: Damola OJO (NGR) df. Pelagie WILITA (CMR), 3-1

BRONZE: Amy YOUIN (CIV) df. Rosine BODJRENOU (BEN), 10-0