Famed Kyrgyz wrestler shot dead

Gunmen have shot dead well-known Kyrgyz wrestler Raatbek Sanatbayev, who was running for the presidency of the country's Olympic committee.

Authorities said Sanatbayev was killed near his home in the capital, Bishkek, on Sunday. Police said two men approached him as he left a shopping center and one of them shot him in the head.

Police suspect the killing could be linked to Sanatbayev's pursuit of the influential Olympic post. He was one of some 20 candidates.

The last man to hold the job, Member of Parliament Bayaman Erkinbayev, also was killed. He died last September during a wave of political unrest.

Sanatbayev, a Greco-Roman wrestler, twice won the Asian Games championship and took a bronze medal at the world championships, UPI reports.

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