From Gold to Scandal: Russian Wrestling Chief Humiliates Albanian Champion Valiev on Podium

 The Albanian Olympic Committee (KOKSH) has strongly denounced the appalling behavior of Mikhail Mamiashvili, President of the Russian Wrestling Federation and Vice President of United World Wrestling, after he physically and verbally assaulted Chermen Valiev during the medal ceremony at the European Wrestling Championship held in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Mikhail Mamiashvili, while hanging the gold medal around the neck of Albanian wrestler Chermen Valiev, insults him by calling him a traitor

Valiev, who recently chose to represent Albania, made history by winning the gold medal in the freestyle 74 kg category. In a stunning display of skill and determination, he defeated Russian wrestler Zaurbek Sidakov in the final. His journey to the top was nothing short of remarkable—dominating Azerbaijan’s Aghanazar Novruzov 6-0 in the semifinals and cruising past Ramazan Ramazanov with a decisive 10-0 victory in the quarterfinals.

Valiev and Vladimir Putin

But rather than being celebrated with dignity, Valiev was humiliated by the very man who was supposed to honor him. During the medal ceremony, Mamiashvili reportedly forced the gold medal around Valiev’s neck with unnecessary aggression and then pushed him with both hands. As if that weren’t enough, he allegedly called Valiev a “traitor” for his decision to compete under the Albanian flag.

This shameful outburst, fueled by wounded nationalism and authoritarian arrogance, has sparked outrage in the sporting world. KOKSH, through a public statement, condemned the behavior as "scandalous" and an "insult to the values of sport and fair competition."

Calling an athlete a traitor for choosing opportunity, dignity, and respect over political shackles is nothing short of pathetic. Mamiashvili’s actions don’t reflect the strength or pride of a nation—they reflect weakness, insecurity, and a dangerous obsession with control.

Chermen Valiev is not a traitor. He is a champion. A man who chose to wrestle for a country that embraced him. A man who earned every point on the mat and every cheer from the crowd. If anyone has betrayed the spirit of sport, it is not Valiev—it is Mikhail Mamiashvili.