"Tashkent Tiger": From victories in the ring to eternity

**"Tashkent Tiger": From victories in the ring to eternity**

Rufat Risqiyev, the legendary boxer known as "Tashkent Tiger", the first Uzbek athlete to climb the podium at the Olympic Games and world championships, died on August 15 at the age of 76.

In the history of Uzbek sports, there are such figures whose names become not only a bright symbol of an era, but also the foundation of an entire national sports school. Rufat Risqiyev was one of such legendary figures. The publication "Daryo" tells about the life path of this legendary boxer, his successes at the Olympic Games and international recognition.

**The beginning of his life path and entry into boxing**

Rufat Asadovich Risqiyev was born on October 2, 1949 in the city of Akkurgan, Tashkent region, into a family of a doctor. His entry into the world of boxing dates back to his teenage years. "Tashkent Tiger" began taking his first boxing lessons in Tashkent at the age of 12 under the legendary coach Sydney Jackson. From the age of 14, he continued training at the "Burevestnik" sports society. Since 1966, he has been working with experienced coach Boris Granatkin, honing his professional fighting style and skills. The skilled leather glove master quickly gained the attention of coaches and began to show high results in national and All-Union tournaments.

**Brilliant activity and international recognition**

Rufat Riskiev's path in sports is paved with courage, hard work and high skill. With his unique style, agility and decisive blows, he quickly won the attention of not only spectators, but also experts. Having achieved consecutive victories in former Soviet and international tournaments, the boxer quickly became a hero of the world arena. In 1973, he also won the Cuban Open Championship. But the highest peak in his sports career came in 1974. At the first World Amateur Boxing Championship held in Havana, the capital of Cuba, Rufat Riskiev defeated all his rivals and won the gold medal. It was in the decisive battles of this tournament that Rufat Riskiev, despite a broken right hand, showed perseverance and fought until the end of the fight in severe pain. Thus, he went down in history as the first Uzbek boxer to win the World Champion title.

**Olympic podium and world recognition**

Even after this historic victory, he did not stop working on himself. In 1976, in the final of the XXI Summer Olympic Games in Montreal (Canada), he entered the ring against American boxer Michael Spinks. In the third round, Spinks landed a forbidden punch. Although Riskiev pointed it out to the referee as a foul, the referees considered the punch and awarded the victory to the American. The Uzbek boxer won the silver medal. After this controversial fight, he decided to say goodbye to big sports.

During his career, he won international tournaments in the USA, Cuba, Austria, Yugoslavia and Spain, proving that he was worthy of his honorary title of "Tashkent Tiger" in every way.

**After the ring: Refereeing and state awards**

Even after completing his sports career, Rufat Riskiev, a master of leather gloves, did not stay away from sports. In 1979, in the feature film "Called to the Ring...", dedicated to his life and sports activities, he personally interpreted the main role - the image of the Uzbek young man Rufat Kudratov, who became the world champion. In 1997, he joined the WBA (World Boxing Association) referees, achieving the rank of the first international professional boxing referee from Central Asia. He served as a fair referee in many responsible and prestigious international fights. In addition, the boxer worked as an instructor at the Dynamo sports society, head of the department at the Tashkent Polytechnic Institute, and as a coach at the Republican School of Olympic Deputies.

His services in promoting Uzbek sports to the world and educating the younger generation were highly appreciated, and he was awarded a number of high state awards - the orders "Hurmat belgis", "Buyuk khimtarları uchun" and "El-yurt hurmati". He fought 189 times during his career, winning 174 times.

A life full of consecutive victories and glory later faced serious tests. At the end of September 2016, due to poor health, he was admitted to hospital No. 16 in Tashkent. As a result of aggravation of venous thrombosis, doctors were forced to perform a surgical operation to amputate his right leg below the knee. He met this difficult and difficult test of life with a strong will.

In July 2023, the head of the International Boxing Association (IBA) Umar Kremlyov presented the Malibu-2 car to Uzbek boxer Rufat Riskiev. At that time, the honored athlete was appointed advisor to the IBA president on veterans' issues. Some time ago, he was awarded a prize of $ 10,000. During the meeting, it was decided that Rufat Risqiyev would be rewarded by the IBA with $1,000 per month.

**Eternal memory of a legend**

Having walked the path of great glory, he was inscribed in the history of Uzbek sports with his courage and unique skills in golden letters.

Rufat Risqiyev was not just a champion - he proved to an entire generation that it is possible to win on international arenas and laid the real foundation of the national boxing school. If today Uzbekistan is unrivaled in boxing, then the first cornerstone of this boxing school was laid by the "Tashkent Tiger".

Although he has left this world, the memories of his perseverance, brilliant battles and the fact that he first raised the flag of Uzbek sports high on the world podium will live on for centuries. The bright image of Rufat Riskiyev will never fade from the hearts of the Uzbek people and millions of sports fans.