Salman Hashimikov Wrestler
Salman Alkhazurovich Hashimikov, also spelled Hasimikov (Russian: Салман Хасимиков), is a prominent Soviet heavyweight wrestler. A Chechen from Russia, he holds two European and four World Championship gold medals in freestyle wrestling (1979, 1981, 1982, 1983). He had also won European and World gold as a Junior in 1970-71.After an unsuccessful business career, Salman spent five years as a professional wrestler in Japan. There he won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship from Big Van Vader in May 1989 when Steve Williams refused to lose the title to him.Hashimikov was the first actual Russian to win a professional wrestling title in the capitalist countries before the Cold War was over (most "Russians" or "Soviets" in North America, often brought to Japanese circuits as such, were in fact gimmicks). He was brought to Japan by Antonio Inoki and stayed at the dojo to train as a professional.Hashimikov later competed in UWF International but did not challenge for titles again.Hashimikov's one major North America professional wrestling appearance was as part of the International Tag Team Tournament held at Starrcade 1990 with partner, Victor Zangiev.