MAKHACHKALA, July 23 – RIA Dagestan. Olympic champion Zaur Uguev can achieve a historic milestone at the upcoming Russian Freestyle Wrestling Championship. If he wins the tournament, the Dagestani will become a nine-time national champion—a feat no wrestler has ever accomplished in the history of the Russian championships.
Currently, the record for the most victories at the Russian Championships is shared by two individuals: Uguev himself and Russian national team head coach Khadzhimurat Gatsalov. Both hold eight gold medals with Gatsalov having won his eighth title in 2015.
The two-time Olympic champion Abdulrashid Sadulaev ranks third in this category with seven Russian Championship titles. Sidelined by injury, he will miss the tournament and thus cannot improve his standing this year.
Uguev, who has competed in the Russian Championships nine times, experienced his only loss in his debut tournament in 2016 when he was defeated in his opening bout by Olympic champion Dzhamal Otarsultanov; since then, the Dagestani won the national title in every subsequent appearance.
The Russian Freestyle Wrestling Championship will be held in Moscow from July 30 to August 1.