Takedown Report

Passing of Coaches & Legends

1988 Greco-Roman Olympian Duane Koslowski, 65, has passed away
Feb 9, 2025, 5:54 PM EST by Koslowski family
With great sorrow, we announce the passing of Duane Koslowski, of Palmyra, Virginia on February 2nd, 2024 at 65 years old. Duane was a three-time national Greco Roman champion at the 130 kg weight class from 1986 to 1988. He placed fourth in the 1986 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, although he was undersized at 255 pounds. He was also fifth at the 1987 World Championships at Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Duane won the 1987 Pan American games in Indianapolis, Indiana. Duane represented the USA in the 130 kg weight class at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, where he placed eighth after injuring his shoulder against the eventual gold medalist Alexander Karelin of Soviet Union during the fourth round match and was unable to continue.
Duane and his twin brother Dennis were proud to represent their home town of Doland, South Dakota. Duane and Dennis shared the stage with Bill and Jim Scherr, twin brothers also from South Dakota, Mobridge, on the Regis Philbin show prior to the Seoul, Olympics. Duane was a three-time South Dakota state high school qualifier. … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2025/february/09/1988-greco-roman-olympian-duane-koslowski-65-has-passed-away
And …

Hall of Fame referee Mike Allen, 74, has passed away
STILLWATER, Okla. – The National Wrestling Hall of Fame was saddened to learn that Mike Allen, who was honored as Meritorious Official by the Hall of Fame in 2007 and inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum’s Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa in 2010, passed away on Friday, at the age of 74.
“On behalf of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Board of Governors and our staff, I extend our heartfelt condolences to Mike Allen’s family and friends,” said Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the Hall of Fame. “Mike was a true pioneer in the wrestling community – a national trailblazer as a referee, a tireless advocate for young athletes, and a dedicated educator. His impact on the sport extended far beyond the mat, as he generously gave his time and expertise to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum, serving on numerous committees over the years. His passion, leadership, and commitment to wrestling’s future will be deeply missed, but his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come”
One of the top college and high school wrestling referees in history, Allen officiated for 35 years at numerous major competitions. Distinguished for his efficiency and skill as an official, he was selected to referee many of the most important college wrestling dual meets each season because of his ability, integrity and professionalism on the mat.
He credits his parents, Betty and Willie Allen, and the coaching staff at UNI for helping him become a respected referee. Allen began officiating when he as assistant wrestling coach for Gene Luttrell at Waterloo Central High School. Allen recalled that while questioning some calls being made on the mat, Luttrell said “if you think you can do better, then you should take the officiating test.” Allen said that it was an open book test that he took and passed, beginning his long journey as a wrestling official.
He worked 23 NCAA Championships … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2025/march/03/hall-of-fame-referee-mike-allen-74-has-passed-away
And …

Russian Olympic Champion Turned Lawmaker Dead After Falling From Window
Buvaisar Saitiev, a three-time Russian Olympic freestyle wrestling champion who later became a member of President Vladimir Putin‘s ruling United Russia party, was reportedly found dead after falling from a window.
Newsweek reached out to Russia’s Foreign Ministry for comment by email.
The Context
Since Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, a series of mysterious deaths have claimed the lives of prominent Russian figures, including tycoons, businessmen and oil executives—many of whom reportedly fell from windows under suspicious circumstances.
What To Know
Russian sports officials said Sunday that Saitiev, a former State Duma deputy of Chechen descent and assistant to the head of Dagestan, had died at the age of 49 in Moscow.
Speaking to state-run news agency Tass, the country’s sports minister, Mikhail Degtyarev, described Saitiev’s death as “premature and tragic,” without elaborating. Baza, a Telegram channel with links to Russia’s security services, said Saitiev “may have fallen out of a window.”
A janitor found Saitiev on Sunday in critical condition lying near a residential building on Minskaya Street in the Russian capital. The Telegram channel said the janitor placed Saitiev on wooden boards and alerted the concierge to call an ambulance. “Notably, Saitiev had no visible injuries or signs of bleeding, initially making the circumstances of his condition unclear,” said Baza.
According to Baza, during questioning, Saitiev’s brother suggested that he may have accidentally fallen from the window of his third-floor apartment while doing housework. He later died in hospital, according to the Telegram channel. … more at … https://www.newsweek.com/buvaisar-saitiev-dead-moscow-falling-window-2038742

March 5, 2025 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized