Legendary Soviet wrestling coach discusses Dagestani work ethic and training methods

Yuri Shakhmuradov, longtime head coach of the Soviet national wrestling team, discussed the extreme training regimen of Dagestani wrestlers in an interview. He cited the late Ruslan Ashuraliyev, a two-time world champion (1974, 1975), as an example of extraordinary dedication. Ashuraliyev would regularly run 28 kilometers alone from Makhachkala to the airport starting at 8 AM, a workload Shakhmuradov described as beyond what modern athletes would believe possible. Shakhmuradov attributed the Dagestani wrestling phenomenon to unparalleled work ethic and ability to endure hardship, following the example set by legends like Ali Aliev (five-time world champion) and Zagalav Abdulbekov (Olympic champion). The interview noted that at the 2026 European Championship, Dagestani wrestlers won six gold medals.