Greco-Roman Wrestling is the ultimate blend of valor, talent and skill, and innumerable athletes have been upping their game to give it their best shots. Wrestling, more so than has seen their most glimmering stars preparing hard for glory. However, for former world champion Nugzari Tsurtsumia, his legacy is all that the wrestling fraternity will remember fondly.

Considering the high octane sport that wrestling is, some stars continue to take their leave in the middle of the road, riddled by injuries more often than not. But for Tsurtsumia, what caused the curtains to close on such a young, formidable, and illustrious wrestler? Let’s dive into the details. With Georgia losing one of their biggest gems, these shockwaves are bound to leave the Greco-Roman world reeling. The champion had an enduring journey, but the cause of his death was even more disheartening to digest. How did the wunderkind’s journey come to such a screeching halt?

The curtains drop unexpectedly for Nugzari Tsurtsumia and leaves behind a lacuna

The official page of the Georgian Wrestling Federation confirmed the death of the Greco-Roman wrestler on Wednesday, reports Ajara TV. While the cause of his death was confirmed as a suicide, this will be a serious blow to the European nation’s hopes of hauling gold as he was a diamond in the rough. Tsurtsumia was found dead in his hometown of Khobi by his relatives. Untimely as it was, a death is always a major blow to the community, and the aftershocks left behind need a great deal of bereavement. While injuries are a part and parcel of the trade, mental health woes are something that should be addressed and nipped in the bud.

The 27-year-old last participated in the Polyak Imre and Varga Janos Memorial in Budapest, Hungary last month, where he won bronze in the 55kg weight class. Nugzari first gained widespread attention when he participated in the World Championships, where he won two silvers and two bronzes, respectively. Since then, he went on to become one of the most prominent faces in the global wrestling community. Winning the 2019 World Championships gold medal was the height of his career, and riding on last year’s success, he was rising through the ranks and commanding utmost respect in the wrestling realm, but alas.

With that in mind, many fans and the common-folk alike took to rabble rousing and were seen chiming in their two cents. Naturally, they were heartbroken, as he was one of Georgia’s finest exports.

The community comes together in mourning

“He was a very talented wrestler and multiple-time European and World medallist…Rest in peace, Champion,” wrote Andrew in his post on X as he seems to be saddened about missing out on seeing one of the most formidable wrestlers in the world to be unable to lock horns with the all of his most formidable Greco-Roman counterparts and opponents.

Yet another fan named Mikey brought about the pernicious effects of suicide and addressing mental health by quipping on X –“Heart breaking he had big career ahead of him. Lost his parents with in a space of months. Mental health effects everyone RIP.” All of just 27, his tally of accomplishments certainly were the talk of the town and we can attest to it. Winning the bronze at the U17 along with a gold and two bronzes at the U20 and another whopper of two golds at the U23 level is no easy feat. Dealing with the loss of his family too might have compounded to his list of stressors.

Another fan also expressed their grief as they shared Andrew’s post. “Rest in peace,” reads the caption of the fan’s post and is accompanied by a small clip of Nugzari’s glee after dominating the U23 World Championships.

A fan going by the username GreatArrowGA was a little more salt to the earth with his comment and said that –“As a successful ex martial artist in Georgia your choices for living are becoming member of GD’s ss division or k*ll yourself”. The fan made allusions with his comment and nitpicked on mental health as well.

“Keep him in your prayers guys,” writes Kartveli, hoping that the wrestler’s memory will be paid the respect it deserves after giving his everything to make Georgia a respectable country in the world’s wrestling circuit. MatScouts was also taken aback by the news suddenly coming to light. “Wow. very young,” noted their post on X. Will the wrestling fraternity be able to recover from this void? Time will tell.