1. Early Life and Background
Bazar Budazhapovich Bazarguruyev was born on January 9, 1985, in Chelutay, located in the Agin-Buryat Okrug of Chita Oblast, then part of the RSFSR within the Soviet Union. He is of Buryat ethnicity, an indigenous group primarily residing in Siberia.
2. Youth and Training
Bazarguruyev began his wrestling training in 1998, laying the foundation for his future career in the sport. His early training took place in the Russian localities of Aginskoye and Ulan-Ude. During this formative period, he developed his skills under the guidance of coaches Anarbek Usenkanov and Ruslan Madshinov.
3. Transition to International Competition
In 2004, Bazarguruyev was selected to represent the Russian youth national team. That same year, he participated in the 2004 European Youth Wrestling Championships held in Vilnius, Lithuania, where he secured a respectable fourth-place finish. Following this, as he was not selected for the senior Russian national team, he made the significant decision to naturalize as a citizen of Kyrgyzstan. This change allowed him to continue his competitive wrestling career on the international stage, representing Kyrgyzstan.
4. Major Career Achievements
Bazar Bazarguruyev achieved significant success in his wrestling career, earning multiple medals at major international competitions, including the Asian and World Championships, and ultimately an Olympic medal.
4.1. Asian Wrestling Championships
Bazarguruyev achieved a notable victory at the 2007 Asian Wrestling Championships, which took place in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Competing in the 60 kg freestyle category, he secured the gold medal by defeating Japan's Shinya Odate in the final. Two years later, he continued his success at the regional level, earning a bronze medal at the 2009 Asian Wrestling Championships held in Pattaya, Thailand, also in the 60 kg division.
4.2. World Wrestling Championships
In 2007, Bazarguruyev made a significant impact on the global wrestling stage. He participated in the 2007 FILA Wrestling World Championships held in Baku, where he earned a bronze medal in the 60 kg freestyle category, further cementing his status as a top-tier international wrestler.
4.3. 2008 Summer Olympics and Medal Reallocation
Bazar Bazarguruyev represented Kyrgyzstan at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, competing in the Men's freestyle 60 kg event. In the competition, he was initially ranked fifth, having lost his bronze medal match to Kenichi Yumoto from Japan.
Several years later, on April 5, 2017, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced a significant change to the results of the 60 kg freestyle wrestling event from the 2008 Games. This decision followed the reanalysis of samples from the Beijing Olympics, which revealed an anti-doping rule violation by Vasyl Fedoryshyn, a Ukrainian wrestler who had originally won the silver medal in the same category. Consequently, Fedoryshyn was disqualified and stripped of his medal. As a result of this reallocation, Bazar Bazarguruyev was upgraded and formally awarded the bronze medal, retroactively becoming an Olympic medalist. This process underscored the ongoing efforts to ensure fairness and uphold the integrity of sports through rigorous anti-doping measures.
5. Personal Life
Bazar Bazarguruyev stands at a height of 64 in (162 cm). Further details regarding his personal life, such as family, marriage, or hobbies, are not extensively publicized in available records.
6. Legacy and Impact
Bazar Bazarguruyev's career left a notable mark in the world of freestyle wrestling, characterized by his consistent performance and the unique circumstances surrounding his Olympic medal.
6.1. Sporting Achievements and Recognition
Bazarguruyev's sporting achievements include multiple significant international medals, which reflect his dedication and skill in freestyle wrestling. His acquisition of an Olympic bronze medal, a World Championships bronze, and an Asian Championships gold highlights his success at the highest levels of the sport. His career is recognized for his persistence and ability to compete among the elite international wrestlers of his time.
6.2. Sports Integrity and Controversy
The reallocation of Bazarguruyev's 2008 Olympic bronze medal serves as a prominent example of the commitment to upholding sports integrity in global athletics. The disqualification of Ukrainian silver medalist Vasyl Fedoryshyn due to a doping violation, discovered years after the event through sample reanalysis, critically underscores the severe consequences of violating anti-doping regulations. This incident highlights the International Olympic Committee's dedication to retrospectively correcting competition results, ensuring that clean athletes like Bazarguruyev ultimately receive due recognition. It reinforces the fundamental principle that unethical practices, such as doping, have no place in competitive sports and that continued vigilance is essential for maintaining fair play.