USSR Coach Explains Phenomenon of Dagestani Wrestlers Through Ruslan Ashuraliiev

Yuri Shakhmuradov, long-time head coach of the USSR national team, discussed the phenomenon of Dagestani wrestlers in an interview, using 1974-75 world champion Ruslan Ashuraliiev as an example. Shakhmuradov explained that after Ali Aliev demonstrated how to win the world championship five times and Zagalav Abdulbekov showed how to win the Olympics, it established that Dagestanis were capable of consistent elite performance. He emphasized that hard work was the foundation, citing Ashuraliiev's extreme training loads, including solo 28-kilometer runs from Makhachkala to the airport. Shakhmuradov concluded that the ability to endure is the greatest phenomenon of Dagestani wrestlers. The post notes that at the 2026 European Championship, Dagestani wrestlers won six gold medals, demonstrating the continuation of this tradition.