Buvaisar Saitiev’s parents always supported him in achieving his athletic dreams.
Russian three-time Olympic freestyle wrestling champion Buvaisar Saitiev died on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at 49.
Highlights
- Buvaisar Saitiev sadly passed away on March 2, 2025. Further details about his death have not been mentioned yet.
- Saitiev was born to his father, Khamid, and his mother, Belizha Saitiev.
- His brother Adam is a Russian wrestler of Chechen descent who won gold for the Russian Federation at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev told the Tass news agency that Saitiev’s death was “premature and tragic” but provided no further details. Tass said only that he had died in Moscow.
Degtyarev described Saitiev as one of the most decorated freestyle wrestlers in history and praised his “inestimable” contribution to the sport.
The Russian Wrestling Federation (RWF) President, Mikhail Mamiashvili, expressed shock at the news, stating,
“They called me just ten minutes ago to inform me of this tragedy. It’s hard to believe. We were supposed to fly together tomorrow.”
Mikhail Mamiashvili
His passing has drawn tributes from across the combat sports world. Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo credited Saitiev as a significant influence on his wrestling career, writing,
“Rest in peace, my hero, my legend, and my great friend.”
Henry Cejudo
MMA icon Khabib Nurmagomedov also paid tribute, posting a picture with Saitiev and writing,
“You inspired millions of children around the world and we will miss you.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev echoed the sentiment, calling him a “legend” and offering condolences to his family.
Saitiev won Olympic gold in the 74 kg category at the 1996, 2004, and 2008 Games and was a six-time world and European champion.
Buvaisar, who retired in 2009, was awarded several civil honors in Russia and served as a member of the State Duma, the lower house of parliament.
His influence extended beyond the wrestling mat, shaping Russia’s sporting landscape for years.
Buvaisar Saitiev’s Parents Let Him Leave His Hometown To Train At A Prestigious Wrestling Center
Buvaisar Hamidovich Saitiev, 49, was born on March 11, 1975, in Khasavyurt, Dagestan ASSR, Russian SFSR, USSSR, to his father Khamid and his mother Belizha Saitiev.
At 17, Buvaisar’s parents allowed him to move out of Khasavyurt, Dagestan, to train at a prestigious wrestling center in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia.
Although Khamid and Belizha lived far from Buvaisar, they always supported him in achieving his wrestling dreams.
His parents have avoided the media spotlight, so only limited information about their lives is available.
Close ones and relatives have poured their heartfelt condolences to Buvaisar’s parents to stay strong in this heartbreaking moment. Rest in Paradise, Buvaisar Saitiev.
Buvaisar’s Younger Brother, Adam Hamidovich Saitiev, Is Also A Wrestler
Buvaisar Saitiev grew up with his five siblings: Sultan, Abdul-Khakim, Adam, Dzhenet, and Malika Saitiev.
His younger brother, Adam Hamidovich Saitiev, 47, was born on December 12, 1977.
He is a Russian wrestler of Chechen descent who won gold for the Russian Federation at the 2000 Summer Olympics at 85 kg.
Considered one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, Adam also won the Wrestling World Championships in 1999 and 2002.
He competed many times after 2002, but his career was affected by many injuries.
Adam made a comeback in 2012. He found significant success, but in the Russian freestyle wrestling championship in 2012, he lost to Denis Tsargush in the final match.
In addition, he is the recipient of the Order of Honor (2001) and Order of Friendship (2004). However, his other siblings have managed to avoid the media spotlight.
Currently, they are mourning the tragic loss of their supportive and devoted brother, Buvaisar Saitiev.
Additional Information
- Buvaisar’s Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics was his last wrestling competition and the final of nine total World or Olympic-level championships.
- Saitiev’s life philosophy was heavily influenced by the Nobel Prize-winning poet Boris Pasternak. He repeated Pasternak’s poem, It is not seemly to be famous,” before every match, and according to Saitiev, the poem defined his life both inside and outside of wrestling.
- Soon after graduating from the training center, Saitiev started his quest to represent Russia on the world stage.
