1. Early Life and Background
Zelimkhan Khadjiev's early life and background are rooted in his birthplace in Dagestan, Russia, and his Chechen ethnicity, which shaped his formative years before he began representing France in his athletic career.
1.1. Birth and Upbringing
Zelimkhan Khadjiev was born on May 20, 1994, in Solnichnoe village, located within the Khasavyurtovsky District of Dagestan, Russia. He is of Chechen ethnic heritage.
1.2. Nationality and Representation
Despite his Russian origins, Zelimkhan Khadjiev holds dual nationality and represents France in international wrestling competitions. This affiliation has defined his professional athletic career on the global stage.
2. Wrestling Career
Zelimkhan Khadjiev's professional journey as a freestyle wrestler has seen him compete across different weight classes, focusing primarily on the freestyle discipline.
2.1. Wrestling Style and Weight Classes
Khadjiev specializes in freestyle wrestling, a discipline characterized by its emphasis on throws, takedowns, and pinning opponents to the mat. Throughout his career, he has primarily competed in the 74 kg and 79 kg weight categories. His height is approximately 69 in (175 cm) and he competes at a weight of around 176 lb (80 kg).
3. Competition Record
Zelimkhan Khadjiev has a significant record of participation and medal achievements in a range of international wrestling tournaments, from junior levels to the Olympic Games.
3.1. Olympic Games
Khadjiev competed in the men's freestyle 74 kg event at the 2016 Summer Olympics held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He was eliminated in the round of 16 after his match against Sosuke Takatani. He later participated in the 2024 European Wrestling Olympic Qualification Tournament in Baku, Azerbaijan, with the aim of qualifying for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. However, he was eliminated in his first match at the tournament and did not secure qualification for the 2024 Olympic Games.
3.2. World Championships
Zelimkhan Khadjiev achieved a notable milestone in his career by winning a bronze medal at the 2019 World Wrestling Championships.
3.3. European Championships
Khadjiev has consistently performed well at the European Wrestling Championships. He secured a silver medal at the 2018 European Wrestling Championships in Kaspiysk, competing in the 74 kg category. He followed this success with another silver medal at the 2019 European Wrestling Championships in Bucharest, again in the 74 kg weight class. Additionally, he earned a silver medal at the 2017 European U23 Championships in Szombathely, competing in the 74 kg division.
3.4. Grand Prix Events
Zelimkhan Khadjiev has also achieved success in various Grand Prix wrestling tournaments. In 2025, he won a gold medal at the 2025 Grand Prix Zagreb Open competing in the 79 kg category. In the same year, he earned a silver medal at the Grand Prix de France Henri Deglane 2025 in Nice, also in the 79 kg weight class.
3.5. Junior and Cadet Competitions
Khadjiev demonstrated his potential early in his career through his achievements in junior and cadet level international championships. He won a gold medal at the 2014 Junior World Championships in Zagreb, competing at 74 kg. Earlier, he secured a bronze medal at the 2013 Junior European Championships in Skopje, also in the 74 kg category. His earliest recorded international medal was a bronze at the 2010 Cadet European Championships in Sarajevo, where he competed at 58 kg.
3.6. Medal Summary
Khadjiev's international medal record is summarized below:
| Competition | Year | Location | Weight Class | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| World Championships | 2019 | Nur-Sultan | 74 kg | Bronze |
| European Championships | 2018 | Kaspiysk | 74 kg | Silver |
| European Championships | 2019 | Bucharest | 74 kg | Silver |
| European U23 Championships | 2017 | Szombathely | 74 kg | Silver |
| Grand Prix Zagreb Open | 2025 | Zagreb | 79 kg | Gold |
| Grand Prix de France Henri Deglane | 2025 | Nice | 79 kg | Silver |
| Junior World Championships | 2014 | Zagreb | 74 kg | Gold |
| Junior European Championships | 2013 | Skopje | 74 kg | Bronze |
| Cadet European Championships | 2010 | Sarajevo | 58 kg | Bronze |
4. Assessment and Impact
Zelimkhan Khadjiev's career is marked by consistent performance at various levels of international wrestling, highlighting his dedication and skill in the sport.
4.1. Achievements and Recognition
Throughout his career, Zelimkhan Khadjiev has established himself as a prominent freestyle wrestler for France. His achievements include multiple medals at European and World Championships, as well as success in Grand Prix events. His gold medal at the 2014 Junior World Championships indicated his early promise, which he continued to fulfill in the senior ranks with two European silver medals and a World Championship bronze. His participation in the Olympic Games further solidifies his standing in the wrestling community.
4.2. Social and Cultural Impact
While specific details on Zelimkhan Khadjiev's broader social or cultural impact are not extensively documented, his career as an international athlete representing France, given his Russian and Chechen background, contributes to the diverse representation within the sport. His competitive journey serves as an example of athletic pursuit and achievement on the global stage.