The Russian fighter Salman Hachimikovthe first European to conquer the Campeonato Peso Completo IWGPhe died in Moscow, Russia at 75 years of age, due to heart failure.
► The only Russian monarch of full weight that NJPW has had died
Salman hashimikov was a dominant competitor in Amateur wrestling in the 1970s and 1980 to the infamous boycott suffered by the Soviet Union in 1984.
At the end of the 1980s, it benefited from the Perestroika policy of the Soviet Union, becoming one of the first professional athletes of the Soviet era in competing in the free block. Despite never having trained to be a professional fighter, their athletic skills and their technique captivated fans.
In 1989, Antonio Inoki sought to strengthen global relationships through professional wrestling, and made an interesting alliance with Russia, so in February they debuted in a hand in hand of exhibition, Salman Hashimikov (Chechene) against his compatriot Victor Zangiev in the Ryogoku Kokugikan. Both continued training in NJPW's dojo integrating Red Bull Army. Two months later, Hashimikov participated in the first billboard of Tokyo Dome in Battle Satellite, getting a remarkable victory against Crusher Bam Bam Bigelow.
The victory in this fight put it on the line to challenge the then holder of the IWGP full weight championship, Big from fatherwhom he defeated on May 25, 1989 after Inoki exerted great pressure on the Russian gladiator. His triumph was impressive, being the fifth monarch of this title, although his reign was brief, only 48 days to fall into the event «Summer Fight Series 1989» on July 12, in the Gymnasium prefectural Osaka before Riki Choshu.
IWGP Heavyweight Match between Big Van Vader vs Salman Hashimikov on May 25th, 1989 during NJPW Battle Satellite 1989 at the Osaka- Jo Hall in front of 12,000 people.
Hashimikov, the decorated Soviet freestyle wrestler became the 5th IWGP Heavyweight Champ
RIP legend pic.twitter.com/bfDIP42qcH
— Wrestling Entrances and Wrestling Music (@WresEntranceMus) May 29, 2025
Red Bull Army remained in the León company until 1990. In that same year, Hashimikov and Zangiev worked for the WCW Starrcade in the tournament in pairs in memory of Pat O'Connor, defeating Danny Johnson and Troy Montour in the first round before losing to Masa Saito and Great Muta in the second round.
Subsequently, Salman Hashimikov took a three -year break, returning to professional wrestling in 1993 with Uwfi Japan for two years before retiring from the activity. This stage was perhaps where he had his best performance, being in physical fullness.
Like his compatriot Victor Zangiev, Hashimikov was one of the fighters who understood professional wrestling from the beginning and possessed natural physical skills that supported him.
After withdrawing from professional wrestling, he dedicated himself to politics in his native country, leading the Chechen State Security Department to overthrow doubtev. His attempt failed, so he concentrated on training fighters of the youngest generation in Chechnya. His legacy lasts, because his fighting spirit has been inherited by modern warriors such as the medium weight fighter of the UFC, Khamzat Chimaev and the semi -shed weight boxer, Artur Beterbiev.
Rest in peace.
