On the last day of the Olympics at the Champ de Mars arena, Akhmed Tazhudinov, representing Bahrain, secured gold in the men’s 97kg freestyle category. This victory marked Bahrain’s first-ever Olympic medal in wrestling, but Tazhudinov’s connection to the country is superficial. Despite winning for Bahrain, Tazhudinov is from Dagestan, Russia, and trains at the Abdulrashid Sadulaev wrestling club, named after the two-time Olympic champion who was banned from competing due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Russia’s absence at the Olympics, with its athletes competing as ‘Allied Independent athletes,’ has created a unique situation where Russian-trained wrestlers are winning medals for other countries. Tazhudinov isn’t the only example. Razambek Zhamalov, representing Uzbekistan, took gold in the men’s 74kg category, while Magomed Ramazanov, representing Bulgaria, upset former Olympic champion Hassan Yazdani of Iran in the 86kg final. Four other wrestlers with Russian roots also won bronze medals for different nations.
This dominance, though, comes with a cost. The competition to represent Russia at the Olympics is fierce, pushing many wrestlers to seek opportunities elsewhere. Some, like Zhamalov, have been driven by injuries and the desire for a less demanding training system. Others, like Ramazanov, see the opportunity to compete at the Olympics and earn financial rewards. This trend has drawn criticism from UWW president Nenad Lalovic, who aims to tighten regulations on nationality changes. Despite the controversy, Russian wrestling remains a force to be reckoned with. While the flag raised at the medal ceremony may not be Russian, the legacy of Russian wrestling is undeniable. The wrestlers themselves, even when competing for other nations, acknowledge their roots and return home to celebrate their achievements.
This situation is a testament to the depth of talent in Russian wrestling, but it also reflects the complexities of sport in a world shaped by geopolitics and individual aspirations. The story of Russian wrestlers competing under different flags is a story of ambition, sacrifice, and the enduring power of tradition in the face of adversity. It is a story that will continue to unfold as the sport evolves and athletes navigate the changing landscape of international competition.
