The Boxing Federation of Uzbekistan has announced the passing of Rufat Asadovich Riskiyev, the first Uzbek boxer to reach the podium at the Olympic Games and World Championships. He died at the age of 76 after a serious illness.

Rufat Riskiyev was born on October 2, 1949, in the city of Akkurgan, Tashkent region. He graduated from the Uzbek State Institute of Physical Culture.

In 1974, he became the world champion in the 75 kg weight category. In 1976, he won a silver medal at the Montreal Olympics, marking a significant achievement for Uzbek sports.

Known by the nicknames "Asian Tiger" and "Tashkent Tiger," Riskiyev won international tournaments in Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia. He was also a two-time champion of the Cuban Open Championship (1973, 1974).

After retiring from competition, Rufat Riskiyev worked as an instructor at the Dynamo sports society, headed a department at the Tashkent Polytechnic Institute, and served as a coach at the Republican Olympic Reserve School. His expertise greatly influenced young athletes.

A feature film titled "Called to the Ring" was made about his life and career, in which Riskiyev played the lead role. He was awarded the orders "For Great Services," "El-yurt Khurmati," and "Dustlik."

Throughout his career, Riskiyev fought 189 bouts, winning 174 of them. His legacy will forever be remembered in the history of Uzbek boxing.

Source: www.gazeta.uz