Mikhail Starkov

Mikhail Starkov belongs to the elite club of International Masters of Sports both in sambo and judo. He began learning the basics of our national combat sport at “Lokomotiv” club in Sverdlovsk under the guidance of Talgat Gibadullin and Valery Pyshmintsev. He drew attention of specialists already at the junior level. In 1995, he won the second prize at the Russian Junior Championship, and in 1996 and 1997, he won the Junior World Championship. In 1996, he was awarded the title of "Sambo International Master" and in 2005 –the title of "Judo International Master". At that time, in the mid-1990s, hardly anyone could suppose that this was just the beginning of his career of an outstanding and talented sambo wrestler that would last for almost twenty years.

For a long time he competed in his super-heavyweight category with the great Murat Khasanov who has become the world champion 11 times. It is symbolic that in 2007 Starkov was destined to take up the victory torch from Khasanov, when he finally won the title of a national champion.

In addition to his strong personal qualities, he was famous for his ability to work efficiently in team at the same time and to lend the shoulder to his mates from the national squad. These aspects were most clearly demonstrated during cup and match wrestles.

For several years, he was the head of his home Sports School “Lokomotiv”. Today he trains students of the sambo and judo school (in Ekaterinburg) and is an associate professor of the Physical Training Department of the Urals Institute of the Russian Federation Ministry of Internal Affairs, which he graduated from, in a rank of lieutenant colonel of Police.

Landmark achievements

• World Cup winner (2006, 2007) 
• World Championship bronze medalist (2007) 
• Bronze medalist of the European Championship (2009, 2011) 
• Champion of Russia (2007) 
• Absolute champion of Russia (2007) 
• Winner of the Russian championships (2000, 2003, 2009-2013) 
• Winner of the World Junior Championship (1996, 1997)