Wind of hope and parting. The first spring wind of love. Free steppe wind. And freestyle. All this was in the life of a man of extraordinary destiny. And there was also a wartime childhood filled with anxiety. There were also victories - over oneself, over circumstances, labor victories and, of course, in sports, on the wrestling mat.

In search of truth

The hero of our story won the main victories in a short sports career in the now distant 62nd - at the first two championships (championships) of the republic in freestyle wrestling. However, for five decades there was no exact list of the winners of those Republican wrestling forums. It drew on inaccuracies creeped into newspaper coverage and on the fading memories of sports veterans.

Four years ago, on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the free-style wrestling of Buryatia, the leading sports historian of the republic, Candidate of Historical Sciences, took up the search for documents that were supposed to shed light on the truth. Vladimir Fomin... After painstaking searches, he managed to find in the archives the protocols of the first and second championships of the republic in wrestling, which took place in 1962: in January there was a personal championship, and in November - a personal-team championship. According to the protocols of the competitions found by Vladimir Alexandrovich, we had in our hands the documented lists of the winners of those memorable championships. So, judging by the protocols, the winners (in order of weight categories) were: personal championship (January 27-28, 1962) - V. Sandakdorzhiev(52 kg, "Labor"), M. Kharpukhaev(57 kg, "Spartak"), S. Dobrynin(63 kg, "Spartak"), I. Babkin(70 kg, "Spartak"), B. Churakov(78 kg, "Spartak"), V. Garmaev(87 kg, Agricultural Institute). Personal-team championship (October 27-28, 1962) - Sandakdorzhiev, Kharpukhaev, Baimeev ("Burevestnik"), Norboev ("Burevestnik"), Syrkin ("Trud"), Shakhtorin ("Burevestnik"), Pashkevich ("Hammer "), Mikheev (" Petrel ").

It turns out that V. Sandakdorzhiev (as it is written in the protocol of the competition) forever entered the history of sports in Buryatia as the first champion of the first Buryatia freestyle wrestling championship. Unfortunately, the protocols did not contain the names and patronymics of the winners, only the initial letters of the names. This, of course, made it difficult to find a champion about whom little is known. And since then a lot of water has flown under the bridge in the full-flowing Khilka, and therefore the veterans wrestling they did not remember anything about him. Only the aksakal of the struggle, Nima Ivakhinov, did not deny, there was such a fighter - Sandakdorzhiev, and indicated the direction (though not entirely accurate) of the search - Aginsky Buryat district.

The search for one of the pioneers of free-style wrestling of the republic dragged on for four years ... Wherever I turned during this time - to the editorial office of the regional newspaper of the Kizhinginsky district (in those parts of the country the name Sandakdorzhiev is widespread) and on television - but all to no avail. And finally, this spring, thanks to information from a journalist Soelma Sandakdorzhieva I heard the voice of the pioneer “free-wagon” in the receiver of the “mobile phone”.

Are you Sandakdorzhiev, the first champion? - I ask, doubting, what if it’s not him?

There is a pause in the “mobile phone”. And then - oh, Eureka! - the long-awaited answer: "Yes, I fought in the sixty-second at the championship of the republic."

What's your name? - I am in a hurry to quickly find out the name and patronymic of one of the pioneers of sports, strong and spiritually strong people.

According to the documents, the hero of our story is Badma Erdineevich Sandakdorzhiev, but his name is Sergei Erdineevich all his life.

I knocked off my feet in search. And the first champion, it turns out, has been living next to us for many years. Due to modesty, he never declared himself, did not talk about his achievements in sports. I did not punch myself in the chest, they say, I - deserved, redeserved.

As I expected, it turned out that the wrestler Sergey (Badma) Sandakdorzhiev after his memorable victories he left Buryatia. And after graduating from the university he "gave up" the struggle and rarely visited the city of his youth ...

Memories flooded over Sergei Erdineevich ...

Joined the fight late

There is an amazingly beautiful place in Transbaikalia - the valley of the "stormy" Khilok, or rather, the land shrouded in legends at the foot of three mountains - Gurban Baytahad. It was there that the forty-third son of the collective farmer Sandakdorzhi Erdineev was born in the harsh winter.

It was hard, very hard, - Sergey Erdineevich is mentally transferred to his childhood. - Hungry, cold. They never ate enough bread.

From then on, he began to help his parents with the housework. From the age of four, an early adult boy began to carry a shock. Chopped firewood, dragged water. The boy’s already difficult situation was aggravated by the fact that “dad was taken away” during the war. And his father, who worked as a collective farm accountant and storekeeper, was imprisoned, accused of "embezzlement" (180 kg of grain were missing). Three young children remained in the arms of the mother ...

What kind of sport was there after the war, it was not before that! - continues Sergey Erdineevich. - Yes, and there were no sections in our village. Sometimes, however, they played rounders and ball.

He joined sports quite late by modern standards.

In the sixtieth year, I failed the exam at the agricultural institute and got a job as a worker in the capital construction department at an aircraft plant, lived in a hostel, '' recalls the sports veteran. - In mid-October, I saw an ad about the recruitment of young people for classical (Greco-Roman) wrestling and came to the gym of the 22nd school.

So his first coach in the "classics" was the physician and sports clinic Vladimir Intigrinov. It was he who showed then, in a small school gym on folding mats, to a newcomer from the Baikal who was burning with a desire to achieve something in sports - throws over the hip and deflection over the "bridge". The young wrestler, who was not distinguished by good "physics", emphasized technique in his training. Soon he replenished his arsenal "coasting".

In September of the sixty-first, Sergei, as part of the Trud-2 team, took second place in the republican championship in classical wrestling. In the fall, he began to train under the tutelage of Mels Kharpukhaev, who at the same time trained novice wrestlers, "freestyle".

I got "from the ship to the ball"

In January sixty-second, according to Sergei Erdineevich, they began to recruit the freestyle wrestling team of Buryatia to participate in the zonal championship in Vladivostok. The decisive stage of the selection was the first ever championship (championship) of the republic. The winner of the historical competition, Sergei Sandakdorzhiev, was naturally included in the national team.

In the first "zone" the team did not fight so hotly - they took the second or third place, albeit from the end, - recalls the wrestling veteran. - I then lost to a Yakut wrestler and a Khabarovsk citizen. After the zonal competitions, our section closed (the coach left), and I had nowhere to train. Therefore, in fits and starts, he was engaged in "Trud", then in "Spartak".

In "Trud" for some time he trained with Sergei Dobrynin: I went there so as not to lose shape, because as a member of Trud I was preparing for the second - personal-team championship of the republic among the freestyle wrestlers. And after the championship of Buryatia, where he again became the best in the lightest category, he got “from the ship to the ball”: he was drafted into the army.

Sergei Sandakdorzhiev served in the Trans-Baikal Military District. It remains a mystery how he with such poor eyesight (-6.5) could have been drafted into service.

Just at that time, the army Chita fighters were trained by the legendary mentor - the honored trainer of the RSFSR Ilya Romanovich Frundzhiev... Once the eminent coach, seeing a Buryat "muhach" on the carpet, did not fail to take advantage of the admonition: "Seryozha, your legs are as thin as matches: you need to pull the barbell!"

There were other, no less interesting, and sometimes funny episodes in sports biography the first champion. Once on the plane, the head of the Buryat delegation, which was flying to Grozny, several times turned to Sergey "Leonid Khadalaevich" to remember the "new name", because due to the lack of a qualifying category, he had to go to the competition in Grozny under a false name.

Sergey Erdineevich will never forget the instructions of the outstanding Buryat coach Gennady Baimeeva(during the years of study at the Institute of Technology). Due to poor eyesight, the doctors forbade him to go out on the wrestling mat, and Gennady Batyurovich somehow managed to negotiate with the doctors so that Sergei would compete.

After the end of the VSTI (now VSGUTU) Sergei Sandakdorzhiev hung his wrestling shoes on a nail forever. After distribution, he left to work for his small homeland - in the Khiloksky district. He worked as a foreman at Mezhkolkhozstroy.

And in 78 he returned to Buryatia. He settled in the village of Tamcha, Selenga region. He worked on the railroad (before retiring at PCh-14). In the same place, in Tamche, somewhere in the depths of his soul, Sergei Erdineevich always wanted to coach the boys. In the early 80s, after the visit of one of the first masters of sports in freestyle wrestling of Buryatia, he tried to create a freestyle wrestling section. It didn’t work: it didn’t work to "knock out" the wrestling mats.

But everything worked out well for the aksakal of struggle in life. Sergei Erdineevich has been on a well-deserved rest for a long time. Takes care of the garden "at the dacha". She rejoices at the successes of the Buryat "wrestlers" and, of course, the successes of her children - Erdeni, Zorigto and otkhonchik Balzhit. They are already adults, they got on their feet a long time ago. She loves two granddaughters. And he advises young people to break away from computers, video games and play sports.

Sport is sport, it gives a person health, physical strength and self-confidence, - says the aksakal of freestyle wrestling in Buryatia and smiles. Maybe he remembers how he worked wonders on elastic flooring? ..

Photo from the personal archive of Sergei Sandakdorzhiev

Among them are the prize-winners of the championship of Europe, Russia and international tournaments

Alexey Mantatov

The athlete is 22 years old, he was born in the Irkutsk region. He took up freestyle wrestling at the age of 13. Has the title of Master of Sports of Russia. Performs in weight category up to 57 kg in freestyle, up to 63 kg in national wrestling. The first coach of the athlete was Bator Tsyrenov. Now the promising wrestler continues to train under the guidance of an athlete and coach, who is called "Miracle Bator" in the sports community, as well as with Bator Dagbaev and Tsybik Maksarov. In the piggy bank of achievements, Alexey Mantatov has prize medals of the Championship of the Siberian Federal District, in addition, he is the champion of Children's International Asian Games, silver medalist of the international tournament for the prizes of the world champion, Russia, Europe and Asia Boris Budaev, bronze medalist of the international tournament for the prizes of the head of Buryatia, champion and medalist of the championship of the republic, champion all-Russian tournaments for the prizes of the rector of the FEFU (Vladivostok), "Carpet BAMA" (Tynda), the tournament for the prizes of Kovalev (Blagoveshchensk). As the athlete himself said, his favorite moment in sports is to climb to the highest step of the podium. Alexey Mantatov watches the fight of Jamal Otarsultanov, Nachyn Kuular, watches the fights of Besik Kudukhov, Buivasar Saytiev.

- IN free time I like to play football. I support FC Barcelona. I also try to spend more time with my family and friends,- the athlete shared.

In one of the most popular weight categories, up to 57 kg, it will not be easy for Mantatov to take a leading position. But in a highly competitive struggle at the regional level, Alexei will have great opportunities to conquer all-Russian and world pedestals. His teammates in the national team of Buryatia, Zhargal Damdinov, Andrey Gataulin, Tamir Garmayev, Zhargal Ochirov, make up a tough competition. When they all come together in the same weight, height sports uniform increases several times, says Bayar Tsyrenov, ex-senior coach of the youth team of Buryatia. He is sure that in such conditions the responsibility of an athlete is important, his diligence and desire to win every day. He believes that Mantatov has such qualities.

Andrey Gataulin

Andrey Gataulin is 19 years old, he is a pupil of the Kizhinginskaya CYSS. In the fight for 8 years. Performs in the weight category up to 57kg. Andrey trains under the guidance of the coach of the Kizhinginsk sports school Tsyren-Dorzho Tsydenzhapov. Now the wrestler has three coaches: the first coach is Tsyren Tsydenzhapov, as well as Gocha Makoev and Valery Ivanov. Andrey Gataulin - silver medalist of the international freestyle wrestling tournament in memory Olympic champion Romana Dmitrieva, silver medalist of the Moscow Cup (2017), champion of the Russian freestyle wrestling championship in Perm, 2-time silver medalist of the Russian Championship, 6-time bronze medalist of the Russian Championship, as well as 2-time champion of the Siberian Federal District and multiple winner and medalist international tournaments. In 2017, the athlete received a special. a prize from Boris Budaev as "The best wrestler of the tournament" for his prizes. In 2016, Gataulin helped the Russian national team win the Marturs Cup in Iran. This became one of the most important performances in the career of a novice wrestler.

- The Buryat wrestler performed brilliantly in the competition, winning all fights ahead of schedule: in the quarterfinals he won a clear advantage over his opponent from Armenia (10: 0), and in the semifinals he put out the Bulgarian athlete. In the final, Gataulin was opposed by the owner of the carpet, the representative of the Iranian national team. After the first period of the fight, Andrey lost 4: 5, but in the second period he showed his skill, putting the Iranian on the carcass,- reported the public "Fighters of Buryatia" Vkontakte.

Andrey Gataulin this year in last time fights among juniors and with next year will move to the adult category of men. It will be difficult for him, says Zorikto Menzhikov, senior coach of RSHOR, because the transition from boys to juniors and from juniors to men is always difficult. But Andrey already has good competitive experience and hard work, which are so important for any wrestler. Now Andrei Gataulin is the leader of the youth team of Buryatia, and it is on him coaching staff The Freestyle Wrestling Federation of the Republic has high hopes for the future in high performance sports.

Buyan Tsyrenov

The athlete is 20 years old. He started wrestling from the first grade of school. He fights in the category up to 74 kg or up to 70 kg. In the first run, he turns out to perform better, admits Buyan Tsyrenov. The first coach of the wrestler is Yuri Baldanov. Now the athlete is training with Zorikto Menzhikov. A member of the Buryatia national team has behind him - victories at the championships of the republic (2017, 2018), a victory at the championship of the Siberian Federal District in 2018. In addition, he is a prize-winner of the 2017 Siberian Federal District and a prize-winner of the International Tournament in memory of Roman Dmitriev. Buyan Tsyrenov, like many others, likes to win and do his best to win.

- At the recent International Tournament of Roman Dmitriev, in the fight for third place, he snatched victory in the last seconds, completing a throw with a score of four points, such fights are always remembered, - said the wrestler.

Buyan Tsyrenov shared that he always liked the fighters of the Republic of Buryatia: Boris Budaev, Oleg Alekseev, Sergey Zambalov, Olympic medalist Bazar Bazarguruev. The wrestler also monitors the success of Alexander Bogomoev. In his spare time, Buyan Tsyrenov likes to read books, play the guitar and go hunting.
According to the ex-senior coach of the youth team of Buryatia, Bayar Tsyrenov, Buyan is one of the most technical, throwing fighters in the youth team. As a sparring partner with male leaders such as Arsalan Budazhapov, Evgeny Zherbaev, Alexey Sabidaev, Buyan is gaining great shape and learning techniques... The wrestler has a good future, says Bayar Tsyrenov.

Evgeny Kolychev

Evgeny Kolychev is 18 years old, he was born in Ulan-Ude. Has been engaged in wrestling for 5 years, has the category of candidate for master of sports. The athlete performs in weight up to 125 kg. The first coach of the wrestler is Vadim Tsybikov. Now he is studying with Dmitry Balkana. Evgeny Kolychev -
champion and prize-winner of the championship of Buryatia, prize-winner of the championship of the Siberian Federal District, prize-winner of the tournament for the prizes of Zaur Batayev, and also the prize-winner of the Buryatia championship among men. Examples of technicality and skill in freestyle wrestling for Yevgeny Kolychev are the Olympic champion of Rio 2016 Abdulrashid Sadulayev, medalist of the 2016 Olympics Auniuar Geduev. The most important example for him is the bronze medalist of the London 2012 Olympics, three-time world champion in freestyle wrestling, European champion in freestyle wrestling, Russian champion in Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling Bilyal Makhov.
Evgeny Kolychev admitted that of his successful performances he remembered the tournament for the prizes of Zaur Batayev most of all.

- At the Bataevsky tournament, I very well remember my reverse throw,- said the wrestler.

In his free time from training, he prefers to listen to a variety of music, except for rap. Evgeny Kolychev is a student of the Republican Multilevel College.

If an athlete meets the coach's requirements, he may become an outstanding wrestler, says Zorikto Menzhikov, senior coach of the RSSC. Dmitry Balkana has experience working with heavyweights, and he can make Evgeny Kolychev a high-class fighter.

Ochir Dorzhiev

One of the most promising athletes, Ochir Dordiev, is now 20 years old. He was born in the Dzhidinsky district in the village of Beloozersk. Has been engaged in wrestling since the age of 6. Performs in the category up to 65 kg, has the title of Master of Sports of Russia. He started training with Banzar Menzhikov. Now his personal coach- Zorigto Menzhikov.
Ochir Dorzhiev is a multiple winner and medalist of the Buryatia championship, the Siberian Federal District championship in youth and youth. He is also the bronze medalist of the international tournament in memory of the Olympic champion Roman Dmitriev in Yakutsk, the silver medalist of the international tournament for the prizes of Buivasar Saytiev among youths in Krasnoyarsk, and the medalist of the international tournament for the prizes of Boris Budaev. Won "Carpet BAMA" in Tynda.

- When we went to the tournament in memory of Roman Dmitriev in Yakutsk in 2015, then no one counted on me or bet on me, not even my personal trainer. I became a prize-winner, and that's when I was overwhelmed with feelings of joy,- confessed Ochir Dorzhiev to the correspondent of "BMK".
The wrestler watches over all the leading wrestlers.

- I would like to watch all their fights! I like how the Georgian wrestler Vladimir Khinchigashvili fights, and of course our Sasha Bogomoev. These are two wrestlers that I really like - said Ochir Dorzhiev.

- In my free time from training, I catch up with studies, spend time with friends, read books, go to my parents home in the village,- he said.

The wrestler's coach Zorikto Menzhikov is sure that Ochir Dorzhiev has all the qualities to win. In the meantime, he is preparing for the Championship of the Siberian Federal District in Kyzyl and gets used to competing among adult men. He performs in this category for the first year. The athlete has good prospects in the category up to 65 kg.

Tamir Garmaev

Tamir Garmaev is 22 years old, of which he has been engaged in wrestling for 11 years. Performs in the category up to 57kg, Master of Sports of Russia. His first coach was his father, Dasha Garmaev. Now the athlete trains under the guidance of Munko Munkozhargalov. Among his achievements are victories and prizes at international tournaments, the Russian championship (2nd place), the European championship (2nd place). The athlete said that his father is always an example of courage for him. The director of the sports school of the Durdulginsky district, Gonchik Rinchinov, told reporters after the success of Tamir Garmaev at the European Championship that this athlete could not be overlooked.

- He is gifted from birth. It was evident when he was growing up that he would be a good fighter. He has a strong character. Such data is necessary for a real athlete and even more so for a fighter,- said Gonchik Rinchinov.

For the athlete himself, a significant memory is his victory at the Russian Championship.

- When I fought at the Championship and won a ticket to Europe, it was very pleasant. Also in front of my father. He was very happy, and I was doubly pleased,- said Tamir Garmaev.

The athlete monitors the success of many wrestlers and revises the fights of sports legends.

-I look at everyone, because everyone has their own technique, I try to take the best for myself!- said the wrestler. Among his favorite wrestlers, he singled out Buivasar Saytiev, Mavlet Batirov.

According to Zorikto Menzhikov, senior youth wrestling coach at the RSHOR, Tamir Garmaev at the upcoming championship and championship of the Siberian Federal District in Kyzyl (May 10-13) may be the best in weight up to 57 kg. And at the national championship and championship, the athlete has every chance to enter the top three winners and strengthen in the national team in his weight category.

Zhargal Dorzhiev

Zhargal is 18 years old, was born in the Dzhida region, the village of Verkhniy Burgaltai. In the struggle, he was from the 1st grade of school, but he began to study seriously from the 5th grade. At first he was fond of national wrestling, then he switched to freestyle. Performs in the weight category 61 kg, Master of Sports of Russia. As Zhargal Dorzhiev said, his first coach Vladimir Garmaev brought him to the sport. Now the wrestler is training with Zorikto Menzhikov and Bayar Tsyrenov.

Zhargal Dorzhiev is the winner and prize-winner of the Buryatia championship, the Siberian Federal District championship, the winner of all-Russian and international tournaments.

- Ilyas Bekbulatov is my example to follow,- said the wrestler.

Zhargal Dorzhiev enjoys playing billiards and enjoys watching films in his free time.

The athlete's coach, Zorikto Menzhikov, is making big plans for the future of the wrestler. At the Russian Championship in Smolensk, Zhargal Dorzhiev showed a good result, becoming the 5th in the weight category up to 61 kg. He won 4 of 6 fights. Buryat athlete included in the Russian national team and will perform in juniors before 2019.

Zhargal Damdinov

Zhargal Damdinov was born in the village of Gunei, Aginsky District, Aginsky Buryat Autonomous Okrug, a 20-year-old athlete. He has been engaged in wrestling since he was 10 years old, performs in weight up to 57 kg. Has the title of Master of Sports of Russia. The athlete's trainers are Bator Bazarov and Balig Damdinov.
The wrestler is known for winning the international tournament in memory of Roman Dmitriev (in weight up to 55 kg, 2015). Also among his achievements are the bronze medal of the tournament for the prizes of the head of the Republic of Buryatia (2017), the "gold" of the Russian championship among youths (2012) and the first place in the championship of Buryatia (2018).
Zhargal Damdinov told "BMK" that he grew up on the example of Alexander Bogomoev and Bulat Batoev. Also his idols are Soslan Ramonov, Ray Higuchi, Jordan Burrows, Haji Aliyev.

- In my free time I like to play FIFA or UFC, watch movies, especially action films and war films, comedies,- shared Zhargal Damdinov.

Zhargal Damdinov trains in the highly competitive category up to 57 kg, where it is simply impossible not to become a good wrestler, says Bayar Tsyrenov, ex-senior coach of the youth national team of Buryatia. He also assumes that the guys will benefit from such high competition, because at the all-Russian and world level in this weight category serious passions flare up, where seasoned character and experience play a vital role.

Andrey Elbaskin

Andrey Elbaskin is a follower of the family wrestling tradition. His uncle, Mikhail Elbaskin, was a famous and respected wrestler, the first USSR champion among juniors in Buryatia, a master of sports of the USSR. Andrei Elbaskin is 18 full years old, he was born in the Olkhonsky district, the village of Shara-Togot, Irkutsk region. From 6 years old in wrestling. Performs in the category up to 86 kg, candidate for master of sports. The first coach of the athlete is Kirill Osodoev, currently Andrei also trains at the Republican Sports School of the Olympic Reserve with Dmitry Baldaev.
Andrey Elbaskin is the champion of the Republic of Buryatia among juniors, the silver medalist of the international tournament for the prizes of Boris Budaev (2017), has the bronze medal of the international tournament in memory of the Olympic champion Roman Dmitriev, and he is also the champion and medalist of the Siberian Federal District.

- Traveling to competitions is always interesting. Visit another city, meet other guys, once again try your hand, new tricks, correct mistakes of past competitions, get a new precious experience. The most pleasant thing in competition for any athlete is victory, - the athlete shared.

For Andrey Elbaskin, the most striking example of skill is Buvaysar Saytiev. In addition to him, the athlete monitors the success of many wrestlers in Russia and other countries.

- In addition to sports, I am fond of photography, I love taking pictures of nature. I like to be alone with the nature of Olkhon and Baikal,- Andrey Elbaskin told "BMK".

According to Zorikto Menzhikov, Andrey Elbaskin is the future leader among the heavyweights of Buryatia. In 2019, he will still compete among juniors. His trainer and uncle, Kirill Osodoev, is eager to make a star out of a wrestler and, above all, an athlete with Olympic qualities. Former senior coach of the youth national team of Buryatia Bayar Tsyrenov is sure that the promising and hardworking Andrey Elbaskin has a great future in sports, if he also trains "with a twinkle in his eyes."

Erdem Tsyrenzhapov

To the fighter from the village. Zutkulei of the Duldurginsky District of the Trans-Baikal Territory Erdem Tsyrenzhapov is 19 years old. Has been engaged in wrestling since the age of 13. In 2018, Erdem Tsyrenzhapov moved from the weight category up to 97 kg to the category up to 125 kg and joined the ranks of promising heavyweight teams of Buryatia.In February 2018, at the championship of the Siberian Federal District, he fulfilled the standard of the Master of Sports of Russia in freestyle wrestling and a week later at the Russian championship up to 21 year became a master of sports in sumo.

The first coach of the athlete is Gongor Dugarov, now the wrestler is training under the guidance of Bator Bazarov and Valery Ivanov.
Erdem Tsyrenzhapov has many achievements. For the 2017-18 season, at the moment, behind him - the "silver" of the international tournament for the prizes of Boris Budaev (Ulan-Ude, 2017), "silver" of the championship of the Siberian Federal District U21 (Nazarovo, 2018) ... Athlete's Sumo gold medal Championship of Russia U21 and a bronze medal in the absolute weight category among sumo wrestlers of the same age. In addition - the third place in team competition in the "absolute" in the age category up to 23 years at the championship of Russia in Dzerzhinsk.

Erdem loves throwing victory throws in competitions. He follows the examples of his coach Gongor Tsedashievich Dugarov, as well as Alexander Bogomoev, Bayar Tsyrenov, Abdularashid Sadulayev.

Former senior coach of the youth national team of Buryatia Bayar Tsyrenov believes that now Erdem Tsyrenzhapov gives odds to the adult wrestlers of the national team, heavyweight Baldan Tsyzhipov and Tsybik Maksarov. So ahead, with hard work on himself, he will be successful in the heavy weight category.

According to the senior trainer of the Republican wrestling sports school Olympic reserve Zorikto Menzhikova, there are many talented guys in Buryatia, but not all of them reach the level of high-performance sports.

-There are many different problems. Our guys finish early, because they cannot support themselves, and the coaches cannot find sponsors who could help, - said Zorikto Menzhikov.

The editorial staff of "BMK" did not tell about all the promising wrestlers of the youth national team of the republic, but it is from these guys that they expect a breakthrough in the new sports season.

For about half a century, Vasily Enkhoevich Garmaev has faithfully served sports - freestyle wrestling in Buryatia. He brought up a whole galaxy of famous Buryat fighters. Best coach in freestyle wrestling of the XX century, the honored trainer of the USSR Dmitry Mindiashvili called him a real patriot of the republic, one of those who "put Buryat wrestling on its feet, created an authoritative school throughout the wrestling world."

Phenomenal organizer

Vasily Garmaev is the son of a front-line soldier who fought from Stalingrad to Berlin, the first master of sports in freestyle wrestling of the republic. The first judge of all-Union and international categories in freestyle wrestling in Buryatia.

Any decision made by Vasily Enkhoevich becomes final and retroactive does not have. It is difficult to tear him away from live work. Now he is 77 years old, and he is still in the thick of the events of the wrestling brotherhood, he works as a trainer-methodologist at the Children's and Youth Sports School-10.

He cannot imagine himself without a struggle, it is this love that leads him through life. She makes him furiously get excited, ruthlessly criticize his mistakes and stand up to defend athletes and coaches with his chest.

Everyone knows that Vasily Enkhoevich has phenomenal organizational skills. Thanks to him, the first freestyle wrestling championship of the republic took place.

It was Garmaev who initiated the international freestyle wrestling tournament in the republic for the prizes of the newspaper "Selskaya Zhizn" with the participation of teams from more than 10 countries of the world. This tournament, according to experts, gave a powerful impetus to the development of freestyle wrestling in Buryatia.

And what is his idea of ​​holding open championships of sports societies "Dynamo", "Burevestnik", "Spartak", "Trud", "Harvest"!

Struggle is in the genes of the Buryats

Vasily Yenkhoevich asserted and continues to assert that free-style wrestling with its specific methods, as if specially created for the Buryats: “The ancestral memory of the Buryats, genes, is triggered”.

He was one of the first to train young village wrestlers and opened a section on classical and freestyle wrestling - on a voluntary basis.

In the newspaper "Dzhidinskaya Pravda" Valery Samdanov recalled how in 1962 a young livestock breeder Vasily Garmayev appeared in Beloozersk and immediately opened a free-style wrestling section in the village. With the light hand of Garmaev, freestyle wrestling became business card district. In the same year, he organized a historic match meeting between the combined teams of wrestlers from the steppe Dzhida and the mountain Tunka.

As the first secretary of the district committee of the Komsomol, he stubbornly bent his line: he actively promoted free wrestling, opened and helped spread the wings of gifted youth: Ravil Valeev, Anatoly Budunov, Nikolai Gomboev, Nikolai Mitapov, Tsyden-Damba Viktor Ayusheev, Valery Garmazhapov

Aisuev. It was he who convinced the history teacher Anatoly Tsaganov to become a wrestling coach in Verkhniy Ichetui. And in Petropavlovka I noticed a tall boy Sergei Pashinsky and brought him to the freestyle wrestling section.

He laid the foundation for the traditional sports rivalry between Jida and Mongolia. With his submission, sports competitions began to be held by profession - among shepherds, machine operators, agricultural specialists.

He was the first of the fighters of Buryatia to visit Olympic Games, after which the rumor about the wrestler Garmaev spread throughout The Soviet Union... Then, in 1964, on the initiative of Dmitry Mindiashvili, the Komsomol Central Committee encouraged Vasily Garmaev, as the first freestyle wrestling master in Buryatia, with a free Komsomol ticket to the Tokyo Olympics. At that time, it was almost impossible to get to the freestyle wrestling competitions at the Olympics due to the high cost of tickets. The resourceful Garmaev wrapped his heads in a towel (it turned out to be a kind of turban), joined the Indian delegation and went into the hall. One of his compatriots, Bayangol residents, remarked on this occasion: “You can't think of a second Vasily Garmaev. It's a whole phenomenon. "

Having headed the Urozhay Sports School in 1976, Vasily Garmaev made sure that not only freestyle wrestling sports schools were opened throughout the republic, but also a youth sports school with departments of chess, checkers, athletics, boxing. And the main subject of his concern was and remains free-style wrestling.

Through the efforts of coaches V.N. Ivanova, N.S. Ivakhinova, G.B. Baymeeva, F.N. Makhutova, V.M. Sydeeva, V.M. Bumboshkin, the national team of the republic in freestyle wrestling of the 70-90s was formed. Legendary names - Oleg Alekseev, Gennady Manzhuev, Batotsyren Dashinamzhilov, Ayur Tsyrendorzhiev, Garmazhap Tsyrenov, Munko Tsydypov, Anatoly Leznov, Vladimir Vostretsov, Mikhail Elbaskin, Bair Tsyrengarmaev, Gennady Makhutov, Vashlavyevy, Sergey Pashlavyev Boris , Dorzho Khaltanov, Sergey Zambalov, Dugar Zhamsuev, Albert Khangalov.

The generator of ideas, a person with tremendous organizational skills, has organized several significant freestyle wrestling tournaments. One of his brainchildren is a competition for the prizes of the regional committee of the Komsomol, which has grown into a tournament for the prizes of the head of Buryatia at the international level.

In the mid-70s, he had the idea of ​​organizing an international tournament under the auspices of the Selskaya Zhizn newspaper. Many did not believe that Garmaev would be able to organize such a large-scale tournament in Ulan-Ude, calling him a dreamer. An, no. This is the uniqueness of Garmaev, that many of his seemingly unrealistic ideas were brought to life. He went to Moscow to see the editor-in-chief of the Selskaya Zhizn newspaper, a member of the CPSU Central Committee, and unnoticed slipped past the guard. A few minutes later, he went downstairs with an imperturbable look and persuaded the security guard to let the then state coach of the sports committee Klim Olzoev in.

In a conversation with Alexander Pavlovich Kharlamov, he was so convincing (Siberia needs just such a tournament! ") That the editor-in-chief of a popular newspaper had no choice but to give the go-ahead. At the very first tournament for the prizes of the "Selskaya Zhizn" newspaper, which immediately became international, seven Buryat wrestlers became champions.

One of the legendary fighters of Buryatia is Nima Sosorovich Ivakhinov. For many years he did not know his equal on the carpet, winning the championships of Buryatia, the USSR, international competitions, major tournaments in Mongolia and other countries.

First, let's give short biography famous wrestler. Nima Sorovich was born in November 1938 in the village of Khurlik, Tunkinsky district of Buryatia, in the vicinity of the village of Arshan, on the banks of the Tunka river. He graduated from high school in the village of Kyren, later studied to be a veterinarian at the Buryat Agricultural Academy, where he actively devoted himself to sports.

Nima Ivakhinov was engaged in wrestling from an early age, because this is the national men's competition of the Buryats. But initially he was going to connect life not with wrestling, but with boxing. According to Nima Sosorovich, in those years wrestling was not yet popular as a sport, while boxing was practiced everywhere.

When I was still in school, I beat a bag of sawdust for three years, because my blow is a powerful one. Then it was fashionable, there was no trace of freestyle wrestling, only in some places it was classical, - recalls the sports veteran.

But health problems prevented him from becoming a boxer. Doctors discovered a heart murmur, and although Nima Ivakhinov did not feel any problems, he had to give up on the boxing path.

They kicked me out of boxing. Coach Alexander Badmazhapov was very upset when I was forbidden to walk. And in the fight, there was no such thorough medical examination, once he underwent a medical examination, and that's it. And in boxing, before each competition, you must undergo an examination, - says Nima Sosorovich.

So he had to devote himself to the fight. According to him, although he wrestled in rural surkharbans from a young age, he became closely involved in wrestling at the institute, from about 1962, when he began to engage in Greco-Roman or classical wrestling.

Returning to Tunka to work as a livestock technician on the collective farm, Nima Sosorovich managed to interest his peers in Greco-Roman wrestling and organized the first wrestling section in the village of Galbai, equipping a gym in an empty house. Young enthusiasts themselves sewed mats from tarpaulin and stuffed them with sawdust, built a stove. Soon, together with the physical education teacher of the Kyren boarding school Sayan Shokhonov, they organized the Tunkinsky district championship in Greco-Roman wrestling... Later, having already moved to Ulan-Ude, Nima Sosorovich was one of the founders of the children's and youth wrestling sports school (now SDYUSSHOR-7), organized a wrestling section at VSTI (now VSGUTU), where he worked as a physical education teacher.

Later, when freestyle wrestling began to gain popularity in Buryatia, Nima Ivakhinov began to engage in it. Among his many victories, he recalls the USSR Championship among rural athletes, which he won in 1965. And the most memorable, in his words, were the interregional competitions in which Irkutsk, Chita, Tuva took part. Since then, there have been victories in a variety of tournaments, whether it be regional surkharbans, or international tournaments held abroad. Now Nima Sosorovich is an honored coach, master of sports. Already at sunset sports career Nima Sosorovich took part in the veterans tournament in Canada, where he won bronze. At that time he was 55 years old.

After becoming a coach, Nima Sosorovic has prepared many champions. Among them are such famous athletes as the champion of Russia Vladimir Aktinov and his brother Leonid Aktinov, a master of all kinds of wrestling, be it freestyle, classical or judo. Or Syren Arduev, who in 1968 was the first to fulfill the standard of master of sports in rural conditions, and who changed his mentor after he moved to Ulan-Ude. Or the master of sports of international class Maxim Molonov.

The strongest was Nikolai Ivanov. He was all he needed - he won everything, - recalls Nima Sosorovich.

Now the honored athlete has been retired for many years. According to Nima Sosorovich, at 78 he feels vigorous for his age.

There is still a murmur in my heart, but I don't feel any weakness. I feel fine, although I am already 79 years old, - says the elderly wrestler.

According to him, the fight gave him a lot, hardening his character and improving his health. And once a passion for sports martial arts saved his life.

I lived in Ulan-Ude on Shishkovka, there are many hooligans. One evening I was walking, and one man wanted to stab me with a knife. I just put my hand out with an automatic machine, and immediately hit him in the jaw, filled him up, - recalls Nima Ivakhinov.

It can be added that he is familiar with another famous wrestling coach from Tunka Syren-Dorzhi Andrenov and his pupil, Deaf Olympic champion Alexander Tsoktoev. Nima Sosorovich is also familiar with the ex-head of the Tunin region, businessman and head of the RPO "Kita" Andrey Samarinov.

Andrey Samarinov was brought up by my cousin Sosor Sanzheevna in Mondy, when he studied there, - says Nima Ivakhinov.

The well-known philanthropist Andrei Samarinov sponsored his granddaughters-chess players, Inna and Nadezhda. Nima Sosorovich is very proud of the success of her granddaughters: Inna Ivakhinova won the European Youth Championships twice, Nadezhda also achieved a lot in chess, becoming a FIDE master. The elderly wrestler is very glad that the granddaughters devoted themselves to chess. Speculation that they could follow in his footsteps by practicing female wrestling, he didn't approve.

What kind of fight? When women are fighting, it is very bad, - says Nima Sosorovich.

Note that since 1976, Nima Sosorovich moved to Ulan-Ude, after he was given an apartment. Nevertheless, he often travels to the Tunkinsky district to visit his relatives, who now live in the village of Arshan. The honored athlete greatly admires the nature of the Tunkinsky region, especially its sources that heal from various ailments.

We have many different healing sources. Previously, healers-lamas knew which source heals from which disease, they put tags there. One of these lamas died at 92 years old, the doctor Bayminov, a relative of the entrepreneur Bayminov, says Nima Ivakhinov.

Tracking events in his small homeland, the honored athlete knows about the conflict that split the Tunkinsky district into two camps after last year's election of the head. But famous wrestler avoids political strife. “I don't go there and don't support anyone,” says Nima Sosorovich. He wholeheartedly wishes his fellow countrymen to overcome their differences and come to reconciliation. The honored athlete also has wishes for the residents of Buryatia in general.

I want to wish everyone health and family happiness, so that there are children and grandchildren. My great-grandson is running around here, my granddaughter is rattling with dishes. And for young athletes, I would like to train regularly. There is always time for training. Especially you can not rest, but the training should be regular, - says Nima Ivakhinov.