Dávid Losonczi got out as a result of a serious judicial error, the international association recognized the wrong verdict. By making it to the final, the Hungarian competitor also won the Olympic quota.

Based on the decision of the International Wrestling Federation (UWW), Dávid Losonczi can also be considered a world champion in the 87 kilogram category of grapplers, announced the Hungarian Federation (MBSZ).

Dávid Losonczi lost 8-7 to Ali Cengiz of Turkey in the final of the World Olympic Qualifying Championship in Belgrade on September 24. After the final, the Hungarian federation appealed to the competent body of the international federation (UWW) with an official review request to establish the seriously flawed referee's decision. "The concept of warning does not exist in the current rule system of the sport, so there was little chance of changing the result, despite this, the MBSZ did everything possible for the maximum legal remedy," says the statement of the domestic association.

According to the MBSZ, on Monday Nenad Lalovic, the Serbian president of the UWW, notified Szilárd Németh, the president of the MBSZ, in an official letter that Dávid Losonczi can be considered a world champion.

"The presidency admitted that a serious refereeing error had occurred and changed the result of the match.

The thorough expert analysis established that according to the current rules of wrestling, the signal indicated by the referee should have been confirmed by the mat president. In view of the above, the UWW presidency, based on an exceptional and unique decision, awards two gold medals in this category, so that Dávid Losonczi is also world champion in 2023 in the 87 kg weight group. Since the final ranking in this category will be changed, Dávid Losonczi will also receive the relevant world ranking points accordingly," states the international association's letter.

"I've only heard the news from my father for a few hours, but I honestly admit that I cried, it was a really beautiful moment, " Losonczi is quoted as saying in the Hungarian association's newsletter. –

I feel the decision is a satisfaction, I am immeasurably happy that the truth made its way.

I couldn't tell anyone then, I'm glad I can finally talk about it. The truth is, it's hard to comprehend what happened, it's unbelievable to say that I'm world champion.

Of course, it's completely different from being on the carpet and running around with the Hungarian flag celebrating my victory. Not to mention the national anthem, but never mind, later on at the Olympics"

 – the athlete looked ahead to next summer's Games in Paris.

The news of the MBSZ emphasized that in the history of the sport, there was almost no example of a similar decision, since the institution of protection was abolished in 1997, this is the first such case.

Source: m4sport.hu , Mandiner

Cover photo: MTI/Tamás Kovács