Mansur Isaev

2.1. Birthplace and Upbringing

Mansur Isaev was born on September 23, 1986, in Kizilyurt, a city in the Republic of Dagestan, Russia. He began his journey in judo at the age of eight, indicating an early dedication to the sport.

2.2. Education and Judo Beginnings

Isaev pursued higher education, graduating from the Faculty of Economics at Dagestan State University. His academic background complemented his athletic development. Standing at 68 in ^{(172 cm)} tall, Isaev has been a member of the Yawara-Neva Judo Club since 2006, an influential institution in Russian judo where Vladimir Putin serves as an honorary president. This affiliation highlights Isaev's connection to a significant organizational structure within Russian sports.

3.1. World Judo Championships

Isaev notably earned a bronze medal at the 2009 World Judo Championships held in Rotterdam, Netherlands, competing in the -73 kg category. He continued to participate in subsequent World Championships, finishing fifth at the 2010 World Judo Championships and seventh at the 2011 World Judo Championships.

3.2. Olympic Games

The pinnacle of Isaev's career came at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, where he won the gold medal in the men's -73 kg division. In the final match, he defeated Japanese judoka Riki Nakaya. This victory was particularly significant for Russia, as it marked the country's second gold medal in judo at those Games, following Arsen Galstyan's win in the men's -60 kg category two days prior.

3.3. Other International Competitions

Isaev achieved numerous other successes throughout his career at various prestigious international judo events:

• Judo World Masters:**
  • He secured a bronze medal at the 2010 Judo World Masters in Suwon, South Korea.
  • He earned a silver medal at the 2011 Judo World Masters in Baku, Azerbaijan.
  • He added another bronze medal at the 2012 Judo World Masters in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
• IJF Grand Slam:**
  • In 2009, Isaev won bronze medals at both the 2009 Judo Grand Slam Moscow and the 2009 Judo Grand Slam Rio de Janeiro.
  • He achieved a silver medal at the 2011 Judo Grand Slam Tokyo.
  • He also placed fifth at the 2009 Judo Grand Slam Paris.
• IJF Grand Prix:**
  • Isaev claimed gold medals at the 2009 Judo Grand Prix Hamburg and the 2010 Judo Grand Prix Abu Dhabi.
  • He secured silver medals at the 2011 Judo Grand Prix Amsterdam and the 2013 Judo Grand Prix Abu Dhabi.
  • He also won a bronze medal at the 2010 Judo Grand Prix Qingdao.
• European U23 Championships:**
  • He took home a gold medal from the 2008 European U23 Judo Championships in Zagreb, Croatia.
• Other notable results include:**
  • Fifth place at the 2007 Russian International (66kg category).
  • Gold medal at the 2008 Dutch International in Rotterdam.
  • Fifth place at the 2009 European Judo Championships.
  • Bronze medal at the 2009 World Cup Apia.
  • Silver medal at the 2010 World Cup São Paulo.
  • Seventh place at the 2012 European Championships.
  • Gold medal at the 2012 World Cup Lisbon.
  • Fifth place at the 2013 Pan American Open Buenos Aires.