The 34-year-old was selected to lead the body by its other members - Hungary's Tamas Lorincz, Japan's Yui Susaki, Iran's Hassan Yazdanicharati, Costa Rica's Maxwell Lacey Garita, Nigeria's Blessing Oborududu and Australia's Jessica Lavers-McBain.

All of the members were elected to their seats by their fellow athletes at the UWW World Championships in Oslo, which took place between October 2 and 10.

"I wanted to express my gratitude to my peers in the Athletes' Commission for their trust and support during the elections," said Julfalakyan, who won Olympic silver at London 2012 in the 74 kilograms Greco-Roman division.

"It's a great honour for me to become the chairman of the Commission.

"I'll make sure to use all my knowledge, experience and energy to bring the Commission to an even a higher level. 

"Of course, that will be possible only with the tightest cooperation with all the members of the Commission and UWW."

Julfalakayan, who claimed 75kg gold at the World Championships in Tashkent in 2014, has been a member of the Athletes' Commission since 2017.

As chairman he automatically becomes a voting member of UWW's ruling Bureau, so will have a direct say in the sport's decision-making process.

He will also represent the sport at the International Olympic Committee's Athletes' Forum.