Salman Hashimikov

Salman Hashimikov
Billed height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Billed weight 264 lb (120 kg)[1]
Born May 4, 1953 (1953-05-04) (age 58)[1]
Kazakhstan[1]
Resides Moscow, Russia
Billed from Tbilisi, U.S.S.R.[1]
Trained by Antonio Inoki
NJPW Dojo
Debut 1989
Retired 1994

Salman Hashimikov, also spelled Hasimikov (Russian: Салман Хасимиков), is a prominent Soviet heavyweight wrestler. A Chechen from Russia, he holds two European and four World Championship gold medals in freestyle wrestling (1979, 1981, 1982, 1983). He had also won European and World gold as a Junior in 1970-71.[1]

After an unsuccessful business career, Salman spent five years as a professional wrestler in Japan. There he won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship from Big Van Vader in May 1989 when Steve Williams refused to lose the title to him.[2][3]

Hashimikov was the first actual Russian to win a professional wrestling title in the capitalist countries before the Cold War was over (most "Russians" or "Soviets" in North America were in fact gimmicks).[4] He was brought to Japan by Antonio Inoki and stayed at the dojo to train as a professional.[1]

Hashimikov later competed in UWF International but did not challenge for titles again.[1]

Hashimikov's one major North America professional wrestling appearance was as part of the International Tag Team Tournament held at Starrcade 1990 with partner, Victor Zangiev.[5]

Championship and Accomplishment

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Pope, Kristian (2005). "Hashimikov, Salman (1980s-1990s)". Tuff Stuff - Professional wrestling field guide. Iola, Wisconsin: KP Books. pp. 218. ISBN 0-89689-267-0. 
  2. ^ a b Royal Duncan & Gary Will (4th Edition 2006). "New Japan IWGP International Wrestling Grand Prix Title". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. pp. 372–373. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4. 
  3. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions". Big Van Crush. http://www.bigvancrush.com/faq.htm. 
  4. ^ Royal Duncan & Gary Will (4th Edition 2006). Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. pp. All. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4. 
  5. ^ Adamson, Matt (2008-02-17). "Going Old School: Starrcade '90". 411mania. http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/video_reviews/65304. Retrieved 2008-05-28.