The President and leadership of Uzbekistan expressed condolences over the death of Uzbek boxing legend Rufat Riskiev.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, along with the heads of parliament and government, expressed deep condolences over the passing of Rufat Riskiyev, the first Uzbek boxing world champion and silver medalist at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. His name is inextricably linked with the flourishing of national sport.

Rufat Riskiyev's passing is considered a tremendous loss for Uzbek sport. Known to several generations of athletes and fans as the "Tashkent Tiger," the legendary boxer is associated with one of the most vibrant periods in the development of national boxing.

Riskiev was born on October 2, 1949, in the Tashkent region, the son of a doctor. He began boxing while still in school and quickly developed from a talented amateur into one of the country's strongest athletes. He was distinguished not only by his outstanding technique and speed, but also by his rare ability to maintain composure even in the most intense fights.

The highlight of his sporting career was his victory at the 1974 World Championships in Havana. This triumph made Riskiev the first Uzbek boxer to win world gold and served as a starting point for future generations of athletes, forever changing the history of Uzbek boxing.

Two years later, he again demonstrated his skill at the Olympic Games in Montreal, where he reached the final and won a silver medal.

After retiring from active sports, Riskiev remained involved in sports. He trained young boxers, worked as a referee, and became the first international professional boxing referee in Central Asia. For many of his students, he was not just a mentor but also an example of how daily discipline leads to great victories.

The country's leadership emphasized that it is precisely such individuals who shape the country's sporting history. "His distinguished career in sport serves as a true school of courage and an example for young athletes in our country," the statement read.

For his contribution to the development of national sports, Rufat Riskiyev was awarded the El-Yurt Khurmati and Dustlik orders. However, his greatest legacy was not the awards, but an entire generation of Uzbek boxers for whom the "Tashkent Tiger" became a symbol of an entire era.

"The bright memory of this great athlete, who dedicated his entire life to boxing, will forever remain in our hearts," reads the condolences signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Senate Chairperson Tanzilya Narbaeva, Legislative Chamber Speaker Nuriddin Ismoilov, Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, and other members of the country's leadership.

As a reminder, the legendary Uzbek boxer passed away today, August 15, at the age of 76.