Short lives, eternal memory: Uzbek athletes who have died tragically

Many talented and famous athletes have emerged in the world of sports in Uzbekistan. Unfortunately, some of them have met tragic ends. Not only their remarkable achievements but also the circumstances of their untimely deaths remain etched in the memory of the country. We have decided to remember some of the renowned Uzbek athletes who lost their lives in tragic accidents: Murod Khanturaev, Jamshid Kenjaev, Diyorbek Rahimkulov, and others.

Murod Khanturaev

Uzbek fighter Murod Khanturaev, known by the nickname "Asian Soggy," was born in 1987 in Tashkent. He began his professional MMA career in 2013, achieving significant success. One of his most memorable victories came under the personal supervision of Russian President Vladimir Putin, when he defeated Evgeny Kurdanov, earning widespread surprise and applause. During his career, Khanturaev also defeated Ion Kutelaba, who currently competes in the UFC, in just a few seconds.

Khanturaev's unique fighting style captivated many fans, as he preferred to rely on his legs even while competing in the heavyweight category. His signature move was the roundhouse kick. Over his professional career, he fought 15 matches, winning 12 and losing 3.

After his success in sports, Khanturaev was appointed Vice President of the Association for Mixed Martial Arts. However, his growing prestige also brought more enemies. On June 9, 2018, Khankuraev was stabbed at a restaurant in Tashkent. Despite undergoing surgery, he showed great courage by asking the court to mitigate the sentence of his attacker.

Tragically, Khanturaev's life was cut short in another incident. On July 19, 2021, he was hit by a BMW X5 while crossing the road, dying at the scene. His death was a significant loss for the Uzbek sports community, and he remains fondly remembered by fans and experts.

Jamshid Kenjaev

Jamshid Kenjaev, born in 1993, was a master of sports in freestyle wrestling. On August 8, 2018, he was fatally stabbed during a brawl at the Aurum-898 nightclub in Tashkent. The incident caused widespread public outcry.

The court sentenced Shadili Kilichov, the primary defendant, to 18 years in prison, while Alijon Hamroev and Jahongir Yorkulov received five-year sentences. The court also awarded 300 million soums in compensation to Kenjaev's family. His death was deeply mourned by both the sports community and the public.

Elbek Rakhimov

Elbek Rakhimov, a sports coach from Karshi, was brutally murdered on August 17, 2021. He was abducted by a group of individuals, taken to Chirchiq district, and assaulted with knives and iron bars. He was left at the Yangiyer District Medical Union, where he died despite receiving medical care.

Twenty-six people were charged in connection with this crime. On May 5, 2022, the Kashkadarya Regional Court sentenced the perpetrators to prison terms ranging from 3 to 20 years. Additionally, 11.5 million soums were awarded to Rakhimov's legal representative, along with 150 million soums in compensation. The case was closely monitored by the public and law enforcement agencies.

Diyorbek Rahimkulov

Diyorbek Rahimkulov, a player for the Uzbek Olympic team and Bunyodkor FC, passed away on December 11, 2021. In the 2021 season, he played 22 matches and scored one goal with one assist. He was a promising player and a key figure in the Uzbek Olympic team.

His coach, Temur Kapadze, expressed his grief: "Let Allah bless him. It was a great tragedy and a heavy blow for us. He played one of the main roles in our team. His thinking was developed, and he understood the game well. We remember him in every match."

Temur Berdiev

Temur Berdiev, a futsal player, died in a car accident on February 27, 2021, while returning from Andijan to Tashkent. Born in 1995, Berdiev played for Ardus, Pakhtakor, and AGMK clubs. In 2021, he was set to transfer to Bishkek's Farvaek during the winter transfer window.

Otabek Aliyev

Otabek Aliyev, a talented MMA fighter and nephew of OFC fighter Ruzulton Ruzibaev, was fatally stabbed on September 18, 2018. Aliyev had won several major competitions in mixed martial arts and participated in one professional MMA fight in the featherweight category..

Kamoliddin Rasulov

Kamoliddin Rasulov, a winner of the Judo Grand Prix, was stabbed to death by another athlete in the Uchtepa district of Tashkent. Born in 1992 in Kashkadarya region, Rasulov was a multiple-time Uzbekistan champion in judo and a World Youth Championship medalist.

The lives of these athletes left an indelible mark on the memories of their fans and the sports community. Their dedication, talent, and tragic ends serve as a reminder of both the glory and vulnerability of life.