Condolences on the Passing of Prominent Athlete, Statesman and Public Figure Mr.Sobirjon Sabitovich Ruziev

Mr.Sobirjon Sabitovich Ruziev, an outstanding representative of the Uzbek school of fencing, Olympic silver medallist at the Moscow 1980 Olympic Games, three-time world champion, Honoured Master of Sport of the USSR, former President of the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan, statesman and public figure, passed away on 22 August 2026 at the age of 73.

Mr.Sobirjon Ruziev was born on 15 June 1953 in the village of Belovodskoye in the Kyrgyz SSR, now located in the Chuy Region of the Kyrgyz Republic. He began practising fencing in Tashkent and soon attracted the attention of the sporting community through his exceptional talent, outstanding foil technique, strong will and competitive spirit.

In 1972, Mr. Ruziev competed at the Junior World Championships in Madrid, where he won the team event and finished fourth in the individual competition. From 1974 onwards, he represented the USSR national team at major international competitions while proudly embodying the distinguished traditions of the Uzbek school of fencing.

Ruziev became a three-time world champion in the men’s team foil event, winning gold medals in Grenoble in 1974, Melbourne in 1979 and Clermont-Ferrand in 1981. He also won a silver medal at the 1975 World Championships in Budapest and bronze medals at the 1977 World Championships in Buenos Aires and the 1978 World Championships in Hamburg. In total, he won six World Championship medals: three gold, one silver and two bronze.

He was also a three-time Universiade champion, winning the team foil event in 1973 and both the individual and team foil events in 1977.

At the Montreal 1976 Olympic Games, Ruziev finished fourth in the men’s team foil competition. At the Moscow 1980 Olympic Games, he won the silver medal in the men’s team foil event and placed fourth in the individual competition.

The distinguished fencer also achieved notable success at the USSR Championships, becoming the USSR individual foil champion in 1980. In recognition of his outstanding sporting achievements, he was awarded the honorary title of Honoured Master of Sport of the USSR.

Following the conclusion of his competitive career, Sobirjon Ruziev devoted his life to the advancement of physical culture, the Olympic Movement and fencing. As a coach and mentor, he generously shared his extensive experience and contributed to the development of a new generation of fencers.

From 1992 to 1995, he served as Chairman of the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Physical Culture and Sport. From 1995 to 2003, he served as President of the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan. He also headed the Uzbekistan Fencing Federation and made a significant contribution to the establishment and development of Uzbekistan’s national Olympic system.

Sobirjon Ruziev also played an active role in the leadership of the Fencing Confederation of Asia. In his capacity as Vice-President of the Confederation, he contributed to promoting fencing across Asia, strengthening international cooperation and supporting young athletes throughout the continent.

His outstanding contribution to the development of sport in Uzbekistan and internationally received widespread recognition. In 1992, he was awarded the honorary title of Honoured Athlete of the Republic of Uzbekistan, followed by the Certificate of Honour of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 1994. He received the Olympic Order in Silver from the International Olympic Committee in 1998 and the Golden Order of the Association of National Olympic Committees in 2002.

The cherished memory of Mr.Sobirjon Sabitovich Ruziev — a great athlete, distinguished fencer, experienced sports leader, statesman, public figure and mentor to young athletes, who devoted his entire life to the advancement of sport and the Olympic Movement — will forever remain in our hearts.

We extend our deepest condolences to his family, relatives, friends, colleagues, students and all members of the fencing community.

The memory of Mr.Sobirjon Sabitovich Ruziev will forever remain in our hearts.