Snacks

This week's Snacks pays tribute to the legendary Buvaisar Saitiev, who passed away on March 2, 2025. Let's journey through history and revisit the remarkable life and career of one of wrestling’s greatest icons.

Buvaisar Saitiev (1975–2025) is considered one of the greatest freestyle wrestlers of all time. Known for his graceful yet relentless style, Saitiev dominated the international wrestling scene from 1995 to 2008, compiling a record of 41-2 across 7 World Championships and 4 Olympic appearances.

Throughout his career, Saitiev captured three Olympic gold medals (1996, 2004, 2008) and six World Championships, amassing a total of nine World/Olympic gold medals—second only to Aleksandr Medved, who earned ten. Had he not suffered his two losses—one at the 2000 Olympics and another at the 2006 World Championships—he might have become an 11-time World/Olympic gold medalist. Still, he remains the second-most decorated men's freestyle wrestler in the history of the sport.

Born in Khasavyurt, Dagestan, Russia, Saitiev began wrestling at a young age. Local legend says that as a boy, he frequently wrestled much older and stronger opponents—often teenagers—due to his extraordinary talent, surprising everyone by regularly defeating opponents who significantly outweighed him. Another popular story highlights his incredible discipline: villagers often claimed to see young Saitiev practicing wrestling techniques late into the night through the small windows of the gymnasium, tirelessly repeating moves under dim lighting. His dedication soon prompted a move to Siberia to train at an elite academy under renowned coach Dmitri Mindiashvili, quickly propelling him to international acclaim.

One defining moment of Saitiev’s career came at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where he experienced one of wrestling's most surprising upsets. He was heavily favored but suffered an early defeat to American wrestler Brandon Slay. This unexpected loss prevented him from winning any medal at the games, leaving him in ninth place. Instead of allowing this defeat to diminish him, Saitiev used it as motivation. He trained relentlessly, returning stronger and more determined than ever. His comeback culminated in a remarkable performance at the 2004 Athens Olympics, where he reclaimed gold.

Known for his humility and sportsmanship, Saitiev was deeply respected among peers. Athletes worldwide admired him not only for his technical prowess but also for his exemplary character and modesty in victory. Interestingly, Saitiev also had a profound interest in philosophy and poetry, often quoting the line, "It is not seemly to be famous," reflecting his sincere belief in modesty despite his fame. Additionally, wrestling greatness ran in his family—his younger brother, Adam Saitiev, also achieved Olympic glory by winning gold in 2000, making the Saitiev brothers one of wrestling's greatest sibling duos.

After retiring from competition, Saitiev continued to contribute significantly to wrestling and society. He served as President of the Wrestling Federation in Chechnya and as a member of Russia’s State Duma, advocating passionately for youth development and sports programs.

Saitiev’s legacy endures through the countless wrestlers he inspired and mentored, shaping generations of athletes. His influence on the sport of wrestling will continue to be felt for decades to come.

Here’s a 3-minute clip by United World Wrestling highlighting some of the memorable moments and achievements of Buvaisar Saitiev’s career, offering a tribute to this legend of freestyle wrestling:

Growth Bite

This week's Growth Bite comes from the Bible:

This verse teaches that desire alone isn’t enough—effort and diligence lead to results. It’s a reminder that growth comes through consistent work and perseverance, not just wishing for success.

It’s a universal principle that applies to wrestling, business, relationships, and life: Those who put in the work will see the fruits of their labor come to pass.

Community Treat

This week's Community Treat comes from a Twitter/Facebook post by the GOAT himself, Jordan Burroughs. Between Twitter and Facebook, it received over 590 comments and 818 shares. It must have struck a nerve in the wrestling community.