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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Lee Lopez re-elected as ACODEPA president

Friday, June 2, 2023 - 05:22 By

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LIMA, Peru (May 20) -- Francisco Lee LOPEZ was re-elected as the President of the Pan-American Association of Sports Confederations (ACODEPA) on Saturday for a new four-year term.

Lee Lopez will also be on the Executive Committee of Panam Sports which is the leading sports organization in the Americas, promoting and protecting the values of sports and the rights of athletes across the continent. Lee López's presence on the executive committee of this organization is a demonstration of his commitment to sports and athletes in the region.

"Thank you very much for your trust and support, without which I would not be in this important position in sports in America. As always, Yuri Maier's work has been fundamental to the success of my administration," said Lee López.

In addition, Yuri MAIER, currently United World Wrestling's Sports & Development Officer, has been appointed as Sports Director for ACODEPA and a Panam Sports Technical Commission Member for the term 2023-2027.