Vladimir Mestvirishvili Indian wrestling coach, passes away

In the annals of Indian wrestling, very few names command as much respect and affection as Vladimir Mestvirishvili. The Georgian coach, who quietly arrived in India in 2003 and went on to become the architect of the country’s Olympic wrestling success, passed away on Monday due to age-related illness. He was in his 80s.

Fondly known as ‘Laado’ in Indian wrestling circles, Vladimir wasn’t just a foreign coach on a temporary assignment—he was a guiding force who devoted nearly two decades of his life to nurturing Indian wrestling talent, often in conditions far removed from the world-class facilities he had known in Europe.

His students included some of India’s finest wrestlers and Olympic medallists: Sushil Kumar, the country’s only two-time Olympic wrestling medal winner; Yogeshwar Dutt, bronze medallist at London 2012; Bajrang Punia, bronze medallist at Tokyo 2020; and Ravi Dahiya, silver medallist at the same Games. He also laid the foundation for other rising stars like Deepak Punia, who went on to become a World Championship medallist.

“Usne hamein ladna sikhaya (He taught us how to fight),” said Yogeshwar Dutt, paying tribute to the man who shaped his career.
“Today, our standing in world wrestling is respectful because of him,” added Bajrang Punia. “He dedicated his life, at least the last two decades of his life, to Indian wrestling.”

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Arrival in India: Wrestling’s Unknown Saviour

When Vladimir landed in India in 2003, wrestling was hardly a sport that stirred the nation’s sporting consciousness. It was underfunded, underappreciated, and underprepared. But Vladimir saw potential in the raw strength of Indian wrestlers, particularly those from Haryana and surrounding regions, who were familiar with traditional mitti kushti (mud wrestling) but unfamiliar with international mat-based styles.

With few resources at his disposal, Vladimir began from scratch. Training mats were rare, facilities inadequate, and support systems minimal. Yet, he persevered, sourcing wrestling mats through personal contacts, tailoring them by hand when they didn’t fit, and hanging ropes from trees or ceilings so that wrestlers could build core strength by climbing them.

“He fixed mats himself, adjusted them, made sure everything was perfect,” recalls Bajrang. “Back then, these things weren’t common. But he made sure we had what we needed. A coach usually limits himself to the training mat—but not Laado.”

His methods, rooted in a deep understanding of Eastern European wrestling techniques, blended seamlessly with the Indian approach. While many coaches dismissed the indigenous styles, Vladimir embraced them, integrating traditional moves with modern wrestling strategies. He valued the grit of Indian wrestlers, but he added finesse.

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Teaching by Doing

Vladimir’s coaching philosophy was hands-on and immersive. He didn’t just explain moves—he demonstrated them. Wrestlers would form a circle around the mat, and Vladimir would use one of them, often Bajrang in the early years, to showcase techniques. Every move had to be watched, learned, and repeated—hundreds of times.

“He’d never be satisfied with one repetition,” said Yogeshwar. “He ensured we learned each daav (move) perfectly.”

Even during tournaments, his role extended beyond coaching. He massaged athletes after sessions, looked after their nutrition, and ensured their mental and emotional well-being. In a landscape where coaching was often transactional, Vladimir made it deeply personal.

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A Cultural Bridge

Despite being a foreigner, Vladimir quickly became one of Haryana’s own. Living in Nidani and later Sonepat and Delhi’s Model Town, he immersed himself in local culture. He spoke Haryanvi fluently, dined with farmers, worked the fields with them, and adopted the jugaadu spirit of making do with what was available.

“When he came, we didn’t have many facilities. So, he set up most things himself—from mats to training equipment,” Yogeshwar recalled.

His wife, Mareya, stood by his side throughout, as the couple quietly embraced their life in India. Vladimir was known for his soft-spoken nature and quirky stories—like killing snakes in his room at the SAI Centre in Sonepat and being amazed by Indian wrestlers’ celibacy during tournaments.

An Ignored Legend

Despite his towering influence, Vladimir Mestvirishvili never received the recognition he truly deserved. While many Indian coaches were awarded the prestigious Dronacharya Award, Vladimir was overlooked, with the Wrestling Federation of India citing his foreign status and claiming he was “paid more than Indian coaches.” Yet, his contribution to Indian wrestling was arguably greater than most.

“You won’t find many coaches like him these days,” Yogeshwar lamented. “For him, coaching wasn’t just about technique. He cared for us like his children.”

Even after the WFI discontinued his contract post the 2016 Rio Olympics, citing his age and outdated methods, Vladimir stayed on in India. He moved to Delhi’s famed Chhatrasal Stadium—known for churning out world-class wrestlers—and continued coaching youngsters with the same zeal and humility. His rented flat in Model Town became a second home for many aspiring wrestlers.

A Legacy Etched in History

Vladimir Mestvirishvili’s death has left a void in the Indian wrestling community. But his legacy lives on in the form of the wrestlers he coached, mentored, and inspired. From dusty akhadas in Haryana to Olympic podiums, his journey was nothing short of extraordinary.

Indeed, everyone loved him. In a sport often marked by ego, struggle, and politics, Vladimir stood apart—gentle, patient, unrelenting in his pursuit of excellence.

Vladimir Mestvirishvili may have arrived as a foreigner, but he leaves as one of India’s own—a legend, a father figure, and a name forever etched in the story of Indian wrestling.