13.10.2025

On October 13, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received Nenad Lalović, president of the United World Wrestling, who’s currently in our country on a visit.

Issues of expanding practical cooperation with this authoritative global structure in the sphere of organizational and expert support, as well as further popularizing combat sports in Uzbekistan, were reviewed. 

It should be noted that Greco-Roman wrestling, freestyle wrestling, kurash, women's wrestling, and mixed martial arts have traditionally been actively developed in our country.

In recent years, our wrestlers have won 45 high awards at prestigious competitions, including gold medals at the Olympic Games and the world championships.

During the negotiations, the head of the international association highly appreciated the large-scale reforms being implemented in New Uzbekistan in the field of mass sports and the widespread involvement of young people in the sports movement, including through the expansion of accessible and modern infrastructure and regular holding of prestigious tournaments and competitions.

Issues related to the organization of major continental and world championships in our country, establishment of a Regional Wrestling Academy under the auspices of the Organization, and partnerships in the fields of sports medicine, nutrition, psychology, and other priority areas were discussed.

The President of our country emphasized the importance of promoting combat sports among children and young people, introducing modern methods of selecting and training talented athletes, and improving infrastructure – from clubs and gyms in neighborhoods to sports schools and specialized complexes. These measures, as noted by the Head of our state, should lead to new successes at the Olympic Games and other major competitions.

At the end of the meeting, the President of Uzbekistan presented Nenad Lalović with a high state award, the Order of “Dustlik”, for his great personal contribution to the promotion and support of mass sports and martial arts.