Makharbek Khadartsev
Four flags, four Olympics, eight straight world medals
- Born
- October 2, 1964, Suadag, North Ossetia–Alania, Russia
- Nationality
- Soviet Union
Russia - Weight
- 90 kg
- Active
- 1982–2000
- Status
- Retired · age 62
The medals
2 Olympic golds, 5 world titles
The story
akharbek Khadartsev ruled the 90 kg class for most of a decade. The North Ossetian won world titles in 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990 and 1991 and took medals at eight straight World Championships through 1995. At the Olympics he beat Japan's Akira Ota 16-0 for gold in Seoul in 1988, then defended his title in Barcelona in 1992 with a 1-0 win over Turkey's Kenan Şimşek, proof he could win blowouts and grinders alike. Iran's Rasul Khadem stopped him in the 1996 final in Atlanta. Khadartsev wrestled at four Olympics under four flags: the Soviet Union, the Unified Team, Russia and, in a 2000 comeback, Uzbekistan. He later entered politics and was elected to Russia's State Duma in 2011.
- Olympic champion (1988, 1992)
- Olympic silver medalist (1996)
- World champion ×5 (1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991)
- Goodwill Games champion (1986, 1990, 1994)
- FILA International Wrestling Hall of Fame (2005)
Defining matches
- 1988WINvs Akira Ota (Seoul Olympic final, 16-0)
- 1992WINvs Kenan Şimşek (Barcelona Olympic final, 1-0)
- 1996LOSSvs Rasul Khadem (Atlanta Olympic final)
Learn to win both kinds of match: Khadartsev won one Olympic final 16-0 and defended his title with a 1-0 final four years later. Practice 'up by one, one minute left' rounds where you hold good stance, keep your hips square and give up nothing at the edge.
2007–2024
