Ivan Yarygin
Siberian heavyweight who hunted the fall every time
- Born
- November 7, 1948, Ust-Kamzas, Kemerovo Oblast, Russia
- Died
- October 11, 1997 (aged 48)
- Nationality
- Soviet Union
Russia - Style
- Upper-body power thrower
- Weight
- 100 kg
- Active
- 1970–1980
The medals
2 Olympic golds, 1 world title
The story
van Yarygin wrestled as if every match should end early. The Siberian heavyweight took up the sport at 18 and six years later was Olympic champion in Munich, where five of his wins came by fall; fireman's carries and slams to the back were his trademark. He won the 1973 world title in Tehran, briefly quit to work as a lumberjack, then returned to defend his Olympic crown in Montreal in 1976 while wrestling with broken ribs. He went on to coach the Soviet national team from 1982 to 1992 and led the Russian Wrestling Federation until he died in a car crash in 1997. The Golden Grand Prix Ivan Yarygin in Krasnoyarsk still carries his name.
Tap a technique with an arrow to learn how it works.
- Olympic champion (1972, 1976)
- World champion (1973)
- European champion (1972, 1975, 1976)
- World Cup champion ×5 (1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980)
- FILA International Wrestling Hall of Fame (2010)
- Golden Grand Prix Ivan Yarygin, held in Krasnoyarsk, named in his honor
Defining matches
- 1972WINMunich Olympics (100 kg gold; five wins by fall)
- 1973WINWorld Championships, Tehran
- 1976WINMontreal Olympics (second gold, wrestled with broken ribs)
Wrestle for the fall, not just the points: Yarygin's fireman's carries and slams put opponents straight onto their backs. Drill the fireman's carry so you land chest-to-chest, already in a pinning position.
