Soviet wrestling coach credits Dagestani work ethic for global success

Yuri Shakhmuradov, longtime head coach of the USSR national wrestling team, discussed the phenomenon of Dagestani wrestlers in an interview, using world champion Ruslan Ashuraliev as an example. Shakhmuradov explained that the foundation of Dagestani wrestling success lies in extraordinary work ethic and the ability to endure extreme training loads. He recounted how Ashuraliév would run 28 kilometers from Makhachkala to the airport alone every morning at 8 AM, performing training regimens that seem unbelievable by today's standards. The coach emphasized that the capacity to endure hardship is the greatest attribute of Dagestani wrestlers. At the 2026 European Championship, Dagestani wrestlers won six gold medals, continuing their legacy of dominance in the sport.