Buvaisar Saitiev, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, died at the age of 49, leaving Russian wrestling without one of its greatest champions. His death was confirmed on Sunday by Russian sports officials. His cause of death has not yet been made public.
Concerning Buvaisar Saitiev
Many people considered Buvaisar Saitiev to be among the greatest freestyle wrestlers in history. He won Olympic gold at the 1996 Atlanta Games, the 2004 Athens Games, and the 2008 Beijing Games while competing in the 74-kilogram class. His position as a wrestling icon was cemented by his incredible career, which also includes six World Championship and six European Championship crowns.
Saitiev, who was born in Khasavyurt, Dagestan, in 1975, relocated to Siberia in 1992 in order to train at a prominent wrestling facility. He was an unstoppable force on the mat thanks to his intense training and technical skill. Adam Saitiev, his younger brother, succeeded him by winning gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Honors and Acknowledgment
Saitiev received several honors for his services to wrestling. In addition to receiving several distinguished national decorations, such as the Order of Merit for the Fatherland (IV degree), the Order of Honor, and the Order of Friendship, he was designated Honored Master of Sports of Russia in 1995. He eventually served as a member of the State Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament, demonstrating his power outside of the wrestling ring.
Saitiev was renowned for his scholarly endeavors in addition to his athletic accomplishments. He frequently recited the poet’s lyrics before games since he was greatly impressed by Nobel winner Boris Pasternak. Both inside and outside of the wrestling community, he was admired for his philosophical perspective and dedication to personal development.
The Russian Wrestling Federation President Mikhail Mamiashvili said, “It’s hard to believe,” expressing his profound astonishment at the defeat. Tomorrow, we were meant to go off together.
Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev praised his “inestimable” contribution to the sport and called his death “premature and tragic.”
