Olympian to Politician: How the greatest freestyle wrestler became a tool for Caucasus socialization

16 years have passed since Buvaisar Saitiev stepped into Akhmad Kadyrov’s palace as a 21-year old wrestling hero; 16 years since he became a part of the Chechen political elite.

At the turn of the millennium, shortly following the bitter end of the Second Chechen War, Buvaisar and younger brother Adam, arrived at the newly appointed Chechen leader’s residence as Olympic champions. The elder had claimed Olympic Gold in 1996, while the younger brother had just returned from Sydney with a gold medal of his own.

Kadyrov had big plans for the unsuspecting young heroes. If Chechnya was to pivot away from another hopeless war, its leaders had to find alternative outlets for their aggression. Instead of radical fundamentalism, Kadyrov planned to preach sports socialization.

“This was part of his social policy,” Buvaisar said (h/t TIME). “Socialization through sport.”

And thus began a journey that took Buvaisar from the impoverished backwaters in Khasavyurt, to the advisor to the Head of the Chechen Republic.

“I was invited by the head of the region – a man who is my friend – Ramzan Kadyrov,” Saitiev said. “A very energetic, bright politician. Being next to him is not boring. I am an adviser. I was very fond of people in Chechnya, and I’m very comfortable with where I feel like myself.”

Saitiev, the first Chechen native to win a gold medal at the Olympics, is considered a national hero and arguably the greatest freestyle wrestler in history. His career span between 1994 to 2008 and included six World Championships, three Olympic gold medals, six European titles, and four Russian championships. He was also on the coaching staff for the Russian wrestling team ahead of the London Games in 2012.

Due to his remarkable achievements over a 14-year span, Buvaisar is seen as a hero amongst Chechens, as …

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