Published on: 2026-10-20
Source: Government of the Russian Federation –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Deputy Prime Minister – Plenipotentiary Representative of the President in the Far Eastern Federal District, co-chairman of the Russian Martial Arts Union, holder of the 7th dan Kyokushinkai, Yuri Trutnev participated in the XVI ceremony of awarding the National Martial Arts Prize “Golden Belt.” It was organized by the Russian Martial Arts Union.
16 laureates took the main stage of the country. For the second time in history, the award was presented to representatives of martial arts, who not only brilliantly distinguished themselves in the sports arena but also defend the Motherland in the area of the Special Military Operation.
The ceremony opened with a greeting from the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin. The address of the President of Russia before the start of the ceremony was read by Sergey Kirienko, First Deputy Chief of the Presidential Administration, co-chairman of the Russian Union of Martial Arts, holder of the 6th dan Aikido Aikikai.
In his address, Vladimir Putin noted that for more than 20 years, the “Golden Belt” award has been given to talented athletes, coaches and mentors, organizers, and public figures—those who, through their achievements and dedicated, in-demand work, contribute to the popularization of martial arts in the country and attract young people to engage in physical culture. He particularly emphasized that among the laureates are participants of the special military operation who honorably defend the Motherland.
After the head of state’s greeting, Sergey Kiriyenko added on his own: “Now is a time when patriotism is shown not by words, but by deeds and actions. We are the only country whose masters win the highest medals in every single martial art discipline without exception. An even more important example is set by Russian martial arts masters who fulfill their military duty and show courage on the battlefield. Today, tens of thousands of Russian martial arts masters honorably, proudly, with courage and dignity defend the Motherland in the special military operation zone. Each such victory — both in sports arenas and, most importantly, on the battlefield — reminds each of us once again and instills in the hearts of the younger generation the understanding that we are a victorious people; this is the legacy bequeathed to us by our grandfathers and great-grandfathers. The Russian people is a victorious people, and therefore, in today’s trials, victory will certainly be ours.”
“More than 20 years ago, we created the Russian Union of Martial Arts. We based it on the idea that the RUMA and all the federations included in it are a potential of our country. And when we are together, this strength is capable of great achievements. The Russian Union of Martial Arts created the ‘Union’ squad. The guys from this RUMA squad are now on the front line of combat engagement. Beside me stands Ramil Gabbasov. After receiving the task to form the ‘Union’ squad, he immediately came to me and said he could not send others to war if he himself did not go through it, and asked to be let go. He fought and has already returned. The Russian Union of Martial Arts and all the directions included in its structure have special significance. We see what happens in Olympic sports arenas – opacity, injustice. Our athletes face this constantly. With martial arts, it is a bit easier. They mostly are not part of the Olympic program. But they usually are included in the program of international competitions. And Russia was and remains the strongest country in the world of martial arts,” said Yuri Trutnev.
Laureates of the “Golden Belt” award 2026:
“Best Athlete of the Year” – Alina Alexandrovna Sudarikova (Russian Jiu-Jitsu Federation);
“Best Athlete of the Year” – Konstantin Sergeevich Shakhtarin (Russian Muay Thai Federation);
“Best Mentor of the Year” – Konakov Alexander Vladimirovich (All-Russian Sambo Federation);
“The brightest victory of the year” – Bondarenko Kirill-Zui Alexandrovich (Wushu Federation of Russia);
“Faithfulness to Tradition” – Rashit Mugalimovich Gataullin (National Aikido Council of Russia);
“For loyalty to the chosen path” – Yuri Mikhailovich Organov (Russian Kobudjutsu Federation);
“Contribution to the Development of Martial Arts” – Denis Vladimirov Vladimirovich (Russian Federation of Burmese Boxing);
“Best Martial Arts School” – the sports club “George the Victorious” (Irkutsk, director – Artyom Melkostupov);
“The Best Martial Arts Organization (Federation)” – Kyokushin Federation of Russia (Moscow, leader – Alexander Alymov).
The hall of the State Kremlin Palace stood to greet the martial arts masters who today defend the borders of our Motherland with weapons in hand.
Winners in the special nomination of the award – “In the Service of the Fatherland”:
Yakubov Yaroslav Nailyevich – colonel, Hero of the Russian Federation, Hero of the Donetsk People’s Republic, holder of the Order of Courage;
Saprykin Andrey Viktorovich is a sergeant major, three-time recipient of the Order of Courage, awarded the Medal “For Bravery” II degree;
Sklyarov Ilya Igorevich – Senior Lieutenant, recipient of the Order of Courage, awarded the Medal of the Order “For Merit to the Fatherland” II degree;
Kozhukhov Artyom Andreevich – junior sergeant, recipient of the Order of Courage;
Artemenko Alexey Alexandrovich – sergeant, recipient of the Order of Courage, awarded the Zhukov medal;
the Roslov dynasty – Pavel Alexandrovich (private, holder of the Order of Courage) and his nephew Nikita Mikhailovich (senior lieutenant, holder of the Order of Courage, awarded the medal “For
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