Wrestlers from the Russian republic of Dagestan dominated the recent Olympic games, sweeping up medals across various weight classes. This remarkable achievement came despite the absence of official Russian and Belarusian delegations due to an ongoing boycott.
The Dagestani athletes, competing under a variety of other flags, showcased their exceptional skills and unwavering determination, leaving spectators and fellow competitors in awe. Their success has sparked conversations about the depth of wrestling talent in the region and its impact on the global stage.
Dauren Khalidovich Kurugliev is a Russian-born Greek freestyle wrestler, naturalized as a Greek citizen. He won bronze in 2024 Paris Olympics in the 86 kg Greco Roman wrestling.
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Magomedkhan Magomedov won a bronze in 2024 Paris Olympics representing Azerbaijan in the 97 kg division in freestyle wrestling.
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Magomed Ramazanov is a Russian-born Bulgarian freestyle wrestler of Avar heritage who competes at 86 kilograms. Representing Bulgaria at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Ramazanov claimed the gold medal at the event.
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Razambek Salambekovich Zhamalov is a Russian-born Uzbek freestyle wrestler of Chechen ethnicity who competes at 74 kilograms. The 2020 Individual World Cup winner and 2019 U23 World champion, Zhamalov claimed the gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics, representing Uzbekistan.
Look how Zhamalov snaps through underhooks.
Not only does it clear the hook, but gives him an opportunity to score pic.twitter.com/1jJhBNAWQ8— Wrestling Rabbit Hole (@wrestlingrh) September 5, 2023
Akhmed Magomedovich Tazhudinov is a Russian-born Bahraini freestyle wrestler who competes at 97 kilograms. Representing Bahrain, Tazhudinov became the World Champion and Asian Champion in 2023. He won gold at 2024 Paris Olympics in the 97 kg division.
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UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, himself a proud Dagestani, took to social media to congratulate his compatriots. “The Olympic podium is a serious achievement,” Makhachev wrote, sharing images of the victorious wrestlers. He praised their tenacity, noting, “The harder the road, the sweeter the victory.”
However, Makhachev also expressed disappointment about the political circumstances surrounding the games. “It’s a pity that even in such a manly sport, this dirty politics has crept in,” he remarked. The champion empathized with athletes who have dedicated their lives to the sport but were unable to compete due to factors beyond their control.
Despite the geopolitical hurdles, Dagestan’s wrestling machine keeps churning out champions. It’s clear that no matter where they go, Dagestani wrestlers bring a unique blend of toughness and talent to the mat. If there’s one lesson from the 2024 Olympics, it’s that Dagestan remains the undisputed land of wrestling champions, regardless of the flag they compete under.
