Nurislam Sanaev Kazakhstani freestyle wrestler Date of Birth: 09.02.1991 Country: Kazakhstan

1. Childhood and Early Career
2. Breakthrough in International Wrestling
3. Transition to Kazakhstan and Name Change
4. Olympic Debut and Rise to Stardom
5. 2019 World Championships and Tokyo Olympics
6. Personal Life and Legacy

Childhood and Early Career

Nurislam Sanayev, born Aartas Valentinanovich Sanaa, embarked upon his professional wrestling journey in Chadana, Tuva. A national of Tuva, young Aartas's childhood was surrounded by the influence of renowned Tuvan figure Sergey Shoygu, then the Minister of Defense in Russia. While Aartas's early life remains shrouded in obscurity, his passion for freestyle wrestling manifested from an early age.

Breakthrough in International Wrestling

Aartas Sanaa made his mark on the international stage in 2012, securing a bronze medal at the renowned Ivan Yarygin Tournament. Representing Russia, he went on to conquer silver medals at various international competitions. However, his aspirations soared beyond these achievements, as he yearned to compete at world and European championships.

Transition to Kazakhstan and Name Change

When the opportunity arose in 2014 to join the Kazakhstan national wrestling team, Aartas embraced it. This decision proved pivotal in his wrestling career. He honed his skills, gained international experience, and seized the opportunity to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics. Prior to his Olympic debut, Aartas converted to Islam and adopted the Kazakh name Nurislam Sanayev. This transformation reflected his desire to be recognized as a true Kazakh rather than a mere foreigner fighting for his adopted country.

Olympic Debut and Rise to Stardom

Sanayev's Olympic journey in Rio was met with a 12th place finish. However, his subsequent performances at Asian Championships proved more triumphant, with a bronze medal in 2017 and a gold in 2018. Another notable achievement was his silver medal at the 2018 World Championships in Hungary, despite a controversial disqualification in the final. Sanayev's determination and resilience were undeniable as he continued to strive for excellence.

2019 World Championships and Tokyo Olympics

In 2019, Sanayev grappled his way to a bronze medal at the World Championships in Nur-Sultan. His wrestling prowess was once again showcased at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where he advanced to the semifinals but fell short against India's Ravi Kumar Dahiya. Controversy arose during this match when Sanayev bit his opponent on the bicep. The incident sparked an investigation, but the International Wrestling Federation deemed the bite an involuntary reaction, clearing Sanayev of any wrongdoing. In the bronze medal match, he emerged victorious against Bulgaria's Georgi Vangelov, securing a place on the podium.

Personal Life and Legacy

Nurislam Sanayev met his wife in his homeland of Tuva, and their marriage was solemnized as per Tuvan customs. The couple shares two sons, who are the center of their father's universe. While Sanayev maintains a private personal life, he occasionally shares his experiences and philosophical musings with his fans on social media. Currently representing the Aktobe region, Sanayev continues to fight for gold, etching his name in the annals of wrestling history.