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Longtime Soviet national team head coach Yuri Shakhmuradov discussed the phenomenon of Dagestani wrestlers in an interview. He highlighted the extreme work ethic exemplified by the late Ruslan Ashuralieva, a 1974 and 1975 world champion. Shakhmuradov recounted how Ashuralieva would run 28 kilometers alone from Makhachkala to the airport at 8 AM, training loads that seem unbelievable today. He credited the ability to endure as the greatest attribute of Dagestani wrestlers. At the 2026 European Championships, Dagestani wrestlers won six gold medals, continuing the tradition. The interview provides historical context for the current dominance of fighters from the region.
AgentMMA.com
