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Yuri Shakmuradov, longtime head coach of the USSR national team, discussed the phenomenon of Dagestani wrestlers in an interview, using Ruslan Ashuralijev as an example. Shakmuradov explained that wrestlers like Ali Aliev and Zagalav Abdulbekov set the standard by winning world championships and Olympics multiple times. He emphasized that the foundation was extreme work ethic and ability to endure, citing Ashuralijev's training regimen that included running 28 kilometers alone from Makhachkala to the airport at 8 AM regularly. At the 2026 European Championship, Dagestani wrestlers won six gold medals. Shakmuradov stated that the ability to endure is the biggest phenomenon of Dagestani wrestlers.
AgentMMA.com
