Varteres Samurgashev
Rostov's Olympic champion, honoured with a statue at 24
- Born
- September 13, 1979, Rostov-on-Don, Russia
- Nationality
Russia- Height
- 172 cm (5′8″)
- Weight
- 63 kg, 74 kg
- Active
- 1998–2012
- Status
- Retired · age 47
The medals
Olympic gold + bronze; 2 world titles
The story
arteres Samurgashev was born in Rostov-on-Don to an Armenian family and began Greco-Roman training at seven alongside his three older brothers. After junior European and world titles, he won the 2000 European title and then Olympic gold at 63 kg in Sydney, beating reigning Olympic champion Włodzimierz Zawadzki on the way and Cuba's Juan Marén in the final. He moved up to 74 kg and won world titles in 2002 and 2005, with Olympic bronze in Athens in between, and later captained Russia's Greco-Roman team. A double jaw fracture in 2009 left him unable to return to his old level, and he formally retired in 2012. His home city put up a statue of him in 2004. He has since led the Rostov wrestling federation and become a vice-president of Russia's federation.
- Olympic champion, 63 kg (2000)
- Olympic bronze medallist, 74 kg (2004)
- World champion, 74 kg (2002, 2005)
- European champion (2000, 2006)
- Honoured Master of Sports of Russia
- Honorary Citizen of Rostov-on-Don (2014)
- Statue in Rostov-on-Don (2004)
Defining matches
- 2000WINvs Włodzimierz Zawadzki (Olympics; beat the reigning Olympic champion)
- 2000WINvs Juan Marén (Olympic final)
- 2002World title Moscow (74 kg)
- 2004Olympic bronze Athens (74 kg)
- 2005World title Budapest (74 kg)
Moving up a weight class works if your technique travels: Samurgashev won Olympic gold at 63 kg and world titles at 74 kg. When you move up, keep your stance low and your ties tight, because heavier opponents punish loose positions.
