Famous Russian Sportspersons

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Find out more about the greatest Russian Sportspersons, including Fedor Emelianenko, Anna Kournikova, Garry Kasparov, Maria Sharapova and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
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 1 
Khabib Nurmagomedov
(Former Russian Mixed Martial Artist and the First Muslim to Win a UFC Title)
Khabib Nurmagomedov
60
Birthdate: September 20, 1988
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Sil'di, Russia

Russian professional mixed martial artist, Khabib Nurmagomedov, is known for holding the longest active undefeated streak in MMA, with 28 wins and no losses. In September 2020, he was named #2 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings. He practices Islam and is the first Muslim to win a UFC title.

 2 
Maria Sharapova
(Russian Former World No. 1 Tennis Player)
Maria Sharapova
27
Birthdate: April 19, 1987
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Nyagan, Russia
One of Time’s 30 Legends of Women's Tennis, Maria Sharapova, the first Russian woman tennis player to top the singles rankings, earned three doubles and five Grand Slam titles. A failed drug test led to her temporary suspension. She bounced back with modeling and launched her confectionary brand Sugarpova.
 3 
Kamila Valieva
(Figure skater)
Kamila Valieva
28
Birthdate: April 26, 2006
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Kazan, Russia
 4 
Olga Korbut
(Soviet Former Gymnast and Olympic Gold Medalist)
Olga Korbut
4
Birthdate: May 16, 1955
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Grodno, Belarus

Olga Korbut is a former gymnast who represented the Soviet Union in two Olympic Games, winning four gold medals and two silver medals. Nicknamed the Sparrow from Minsk, Korbut also participated in the 18th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships where she won two gold medals and four silver medals. In 1988, she was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. 

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 5 
Sergey Kovalev
5
Birthdate: April 2, 1983
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Kopeysk, Russia

Sergey Kovalev is a Russian boxer who has held several world championships in the light heavyweight category. From 2014 to 2016, he held the IBF and WBA (Undisputed) titles. Between 2013 and 2019, he held the WBO title three times. Kovalev is renowned for his extraordinary punching power. In 2019, The Ring magazine named him the world's second-best light heavyweight.

 6 
Kostya Tszyu
(Russian-Australian Former Professional Boxer Who Holds Multiple World Light-Welterweight Titles)
Kostya Tszyu
4
Birthdate: September 19, 1969
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Serov, Russia

Kostya Tszyu is a former boxer who held multiple light-welterweight championships. Renowned for his punching power, Tszyu is considered one of the hardest-punching boxers in the history of light-welterweight boxing. He represented the Soviet Union at the 1991 World Championships, where he won a gold medal. In 2010, Tszyu was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

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 7 
Boris Spassky
(Russian Chess Grandmaster)
Boris Spassky
3
Birthdate: January 30, 1937
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Saint Petersburg, Russia

Boris Spassky is a Russian chess player who held the World Chess Championship title from 1969 to 1972. He was part of the famous World Chess Championship match in 1972 where he lost his championship title to Bobby Fischer of the United States. In Bobby Fischer's 2014 biopic Pawn Sacrifice, Boris Spassky is portrayed by American actor Isaac Liev Schreiber.

 8 
Daniil Medvedev
(Tennis player)
Daniil Medvedev
7
Birthdate: February 11, 1996
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia

Daniil Medvedev is a Russian tennis player who won his first Grand Slam title in 2021 when he defeated Djokovic in straight sets to win the US Open. Standing at 6 feet 6 inches tall, Medvedev became the tallest Grand Slam champion in the history of the Open Era. His height played a decisive role in his US Open victory.

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 9 
Garry Kasparov
(Russian Chess Grandmaster and One of the Best Chess Players in History)
Garry Kasparov
9
Birthdate: April 13, 1963
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Baku, Azerbaijan

Garry Kasparov is a Russian chess player. A grandmaster, Kasparov is a former World Chess Champion who was ranked No. 1 for 255 months during his career that spanned 21 years. After his retirement, Garry Kasparov focused on writing and politics; he founded a social movement called the United Civil Front, which is part of an opposition coalition in Moscow.

 10 
Alina Kabaeva
(Russian Politician, Media Manager and Retired Rhythmic Gymnast)
Alina Kabaeva
13
Birthdate: May 12, 1983
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
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 11 
Alexander Godunov
(American Ballet Dancer, Actor and Member of the ‘Bolshoi Ballet’)
Alexander Godunov
4
Birthdate: November 28, 1949
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Sakhalin, Russia
Died: May 18, 1995
Russian ballet dancer Alexander Godunov was part of the Bolshoi Ballet. He defected to the U.S. in 1979, causing significant U.S.-Soviet tension. He had also appeared in many films, such as Anna Karenina and Die Hard. His final days were marked by alcoholism, which also eventually caused his death.
 12 
Artem Lobov
(Mixed martial artist)
Artem Lobov
4
Birthdate: August 11, 1986
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Nizhny Novgorod, Russia

Artem Lobov is a Russian retired boxer and mixed martial artist. He competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in the Featherweight division and earned one Fight of the Night award. He also competed in other popular promotions, such as the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, Cage Contender, and Cage Warriors.

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 13 
Alexander Ovechkin
(Russian Professional Ice Hockey Left Winger)
Alexander Ovechkin
3
Birthdate: September 17, 1985
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia

Alexander Ovechkin is a Russian ice hockey player who currently captains the Washington Capitals, a popular team which competes in the National Hockey League (NHL). Considered one of the greatest players of all time, Alexander Ovechkin has won prestigious awards, such as the Rocket Richard Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, Hart Memorial Trophy, Lester B. Pearson Award, and Calder Memorial Trophy.

 14 
Elena Rybakina
(Tennis player)
Elena Rybakina
3
Birthdate: June 17, 1999
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia

Born in Moscow, Elena Rybakina initially played for Russia, but began representing Kazakhstan when she found herself at no. 175 in the global rankings. Now WTA no. 17, she is known for her powerful serve and her towering 6-foot frame. She also excelled in ice skating and gymnastics as a child.

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 15 
Yulia Lipnitskaya
30
Birthdate: June 5, 1998
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Yekaterinburg, Russia

Yulia Lipnitskaya stunned her fans with the news of her retirement at the tender age of 19. Apparently, she had been struggling with injuries and anorexia. The Russian professional figure skater won an Olympic gold at 15, thus becoming the youngest Russian gold medalist in history.

 16 
Daniil Kvyat
(Racecar driver)
Daniil Kvyat
9
Birthdate: April 26, 1994
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Ufa
 17 
Sergei Grinkov
(Fgure skater)
Sergei Grinkov
65
Birthdate: February 4, 1967
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Died: November 20, 1995
 18 
Lev Yashin
(One of the Greatest Goalkeeper in the History of Football)
Lev Yashin
2
Birthdate: October 22, 1929
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Died: March 20, 1990
Legendary Soviet goalkeeper Lev Yashin was nicknamed the Black Spider or the Black Panther for his signature all-black attire. He played in four World Cups and later also served as the deputy chairman of the Football Federation of his country. He became the only goalkeeper to win the Ballon d'Or.
 19 
Becky Hammon
(Basketball player)
Becky Hammon
6
Birthdate: March 11, 1977
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Rapid City, South Dakota, United States
 20 
Pavel Bure
(Former ice hockey player who played the right wing position)
Pavel Bure
6
Birthdate: March 31, 1971
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
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 21 
Anna Shcherbakova
(Figure skater)
Anna Shcherbakova
56
Birthdate: March 28, 2004
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
 22 
Alexander Alekhine
(Russian-French Former Chess Champion)
Alexander Alekhine
6
Birthdate: October 31, 1892
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Died: March 24, 1946

Alexander Alekhine was a French and Russian chess player renowned for his imaginative and fierce attacking style. He also possessed great positional and endgame skill, which he used effectively to reign as the World Chess Champion from 1927 to 1935 and then from 1937 to 1946. Also a theoretician, Alexander Alekhine innovated several opening variations, including the Alekhine's Defence.

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 23 
Sofia Kenin
(Tennis Player)
Sofia Kenin
7
Birthdate: November 14, 1998
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia

Sofia Kenin is an American tennis player who won her first Grand Slam title in 2020 when she defeated Garbiñe Muguruza in the Australian Open. By virtue of her Australian Open triumph, Sofia Kenin received the prestigious WTA Player of the Year award in the same year. She is renowned for her persistent determination and mental toughness.

 24 
Denis Cheryshev
(Russian Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Left Winger )
Denis Cheryshev
5
Birthdate: December 26, 1990
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Nizhny Novgorod, Russia

A youth product of Real Madrid, Denis Cheryshev is a Russian footballer; currently signed with Valencia CF. Making his senior debut in 2009, he has since been playing as a left winger in different competitions. Also a regular on the Russian national team, he helped his team reach the quarter finals by scoring four goals in 2018 World Cup.

 25 
Sergei Fedorov
(Ice hockey player)
Sergei Fedorov
4
Birthdate: December 13, 1969
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Pskov
 26 
Ekaterina Gordeeva
(Figure skater)
Ekaterina Gordeeva
133
Birthdate: May 28, 1971
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
 27 
Anna Kournikova
(Russian Former Tennis Player and One of the Best-Known Tennis Stars Worldwide)
Anna Kournikova
5
Birthdate: June 7, 1981
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Anna Kournikova was once world no. 8 in singles tennis rankings, in spite of never having won a singles title. She was no. 1 in doubles, teaming up with Martina Hingis. Following her retirement from tennis due to a spinal issue, she became a popular TV personality.
 28 
Anatoly Karpov
(One of the Greatest Chess Players of All Time)
Anatoly Karpov
1
Birthdate: May 23, 1951
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Zlatoust, Russia

Russian chess grandmaster, Anatoly Karpov, was the official world champion from 1975 to 1985, before finally being defeated by Garry Kasparov. With over 160 first-place finishes, Karpov is widely considered one of the greatest players in history. Since his retirement, he has involved himself in several humanitarian causes. He has an extensive stamp collection.

 29 
Evgeni Malkin
(Ice Hockey Player)
Evgeni Malkin
5
Birthdate: July 31, 1986
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Magnitogorsk, Russia
 30 
Marat Safin
(Russian Retired World No. 1 Tennis Player)
Marat Safin
5
Birthdate: January 27, 1980
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia

Marat Safin is a Russian retired tennis player and former politician. Safin won two Grand Slam titles, namely Australian Open and US Open. He also helped Russia win the Davis Cup in 2002 and 2006. One of the most successful and celebrated tennis players from Russia, Safin was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2016.

 31 
Petr Yan
(Mixed Martial Artist)
Petr Yan
4
Birthdate: February 11, 1993
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Dudinka, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia

Petr Yan is a Russian mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC. A former UFC Bantamweight Champion, Yan is currently ranked first in the UFC bantamweight rankings. He has won a Fight of the Night and a Performance of the Night award in his UFC career so far. Prior to his UFC career, Yan was an ACB Bantamweight Champion.

 32 
Tigran Petrosian
(One of the Best Chess Players in Armenia During his Generation)
Tigran Petrosian
3
Birthdate: June 17, 1929
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Tbilisi, Georgia
Died: August 13, 1984

Tigran Petrosian was a Soviet-Armenian chess player who achieved the grandmaster title in 1952. Nicknamed Iron Tigran, Petrosian was the World Chess Champion between 1963 and 1969. Regarded as one of the best chess players in Armenia during his generation, Tigran Petrosian is credited with popularizing the game in Armenia. He also won the USSR Chess Championship on four occasions.

 33 
Alexandra Trusova
(Figure Skater)
Alexandra Trusova
81
Birthdate: June 23, 2004
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Ryazan, Russia
 34 
Khamzat Chimaev
(Swedish Professional Mixed Martial Artist)
Khamzat Chimaev
6
Birthdate: May 1, 1994
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Chechnya, Russia

Russia-born Swedish freestyle wrestler and mixed martial artist Khamzat Chimaev began wrestling as a child, possibly to save himself from the bullies. Eventually, he took up freestyle wrestling, winning the Swedish Championship three times between 2015 and 2018, thereafter emerging as an award winning mixed martial artist. Currently, he competes in the welterweight and middleweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

 35 
Islam Makhachev
(Mixed martial artist)
Islam Makhachev
4
Birthdate: September 27, 1991
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Makhachkala, Russia

Islam Makhachev is a Russian mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Makhachev is currently ranked fifth in the UFC lightweight rankings. He has won one Fight of the Night award in his UFC career so far. A former Sambo competitor, Islam Makhachev became a combat sambo world champion in 2016.

 36 
Sergey Karjakin
(Russian Chess Grandmaster)
Sergey Karjakin
3
Birthdate: January 12, 1990
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Simferopol, Ukraine

Elite Russian grandmaster Sergey Karjakin was 5 years of age when he began playing chess and a little over 12 when he made history by becoming the world’s youngest grandmaster. His skills have also earned him the nickname Minister of Defense. He is best known for his defenses against Magnus Carlsen.

 37 
Vadim Nemkov
(Mixed martial artist)
Vadim Nemkov
3
Birthdate: June 20, 1992
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Belgorod, Belgorod Oblast, Russia
 38 
Igor Akinfeev
(Football player)
Igor Akinfeev
3
Birthdate: April 8, 1986
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Vidnoye, Russia
 39 
Evgenia Medvedeva
(Former Competitive Russian Figure Skater)
Evgenia Medvedeva
3700
Birthdate: November 19, 1999
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia

Evgenia Medvedeva is a Russian figure skater who has won two silver Olympic medals, two World Championship gold medals, and two European Championship gold medals. At the 2017 World Championships, Medvedeva became the first 16-year-old female skater after Michelle Kwan to win back-to-back world titles. Evgenia Medvedeva is also the first skater to achieve two Grand Slams in a row. 

 40 
Fedor Emelianenko
(Russian Mixed Martial Artist and Judoka)
Fedor Emelianenko
9
Birthdate: September 28, 1976
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Rubizhne, Ukraine
Russian mixed martial artist, judoka, and sambist Fedor Emelianenko, also known as “The Last Emperor,” competes for Bellator MMA and the Rizin Fighting Federation. He went from being a firefighter to Sports Illustrated’s top MMA fighter of the 2000s. He is also part of the Russian Presidential Council on sports.
 41 
Ian Nepomniachtchi
(Russian Chess Grandmaster)
Ian Nepomniachtchi
4
Birthdate: July 14, 1990
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Bryansk, Russia

Russian super grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi is known for winning titles such as the 2020/21 Candidates Tournament. He has a good record against world champions such as Vladimir Kramnik, Viswanathan Anand, and Garry Kasparov. He is also a professional player of the online strategy game Dota and plays on chess.com as lachesisq.

 42 
Yelena Isinbayeva
(Pole vaulter)
Yelena Isinbayeva
3
Birthdate: June 3, 1982
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Volgograd, Russia
 43 
Askar Askarov
(Mixed Martial Artist)
Askar Askarov
4
Birthdate: October 9, 1992
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Kamysh-Kutan, Russia
 44 
Mikhail Botvinnik
(Word Chess Champion Known for His Contribution to the Design of the World Chess Championship System)
Mikhail Botvinnik
3
Birthdate: August 17, 1911
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Repino, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Died: May 5, 1995

Soviet chess player Mikhail Botvinnik was a three-time World Champion. At 14, he defeated the reigning world champion José Raúl Capablanca in an exhibition match. He was also a skilled computer engineer. He adopted a scientific approach to chess and penned several books on chess, too.

 45 
Pavel Datsyuk
(Ice hockey player)
Pavel Datsyuk
4
Birthdate: July 20, 1978
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Yekaterinburg, Russia
 46 
Dmitry Bivol
3
Birthdate: December 18, 1990
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan
 47 
Vladimir Kramnik
(Russian Chess Grandmaster)
Vladimir Kramnik
3
Birthdate: June 25, 1975
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Tuapse, Russia

Vladimir Kramnik is a Russian chess player who was honored with the prestigious Grandmaster title in 1992. From 2000 to 2006, Kramnik held the Classical World Chess Championship title. From 2006 to 2007, he held the undisputed World Chess Championship title. He has also won three individual medals and three team gold medals at Chess Olympiads.

 48 
Arman Tsarukyan
(Armenian-Russian Mixed Martial Artist)
Arman Tsarukyan
4
Birthdate: October 11, 1996
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Akhalkalaki, Georgia

Arman Tsarukyan is an Armenian-Russian mixed martial artist. He is best known for his association with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he currently competes in the Lightweight division. Arman Tsarukyan has won a couple of Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night awards at the Ultimate Fighting Championship so far.

 49 
Vladimir Konstantinov
(Russian-American Former Professional Ice Hockey Player)
Vladimir Konstantinov
3
Birthdate: March 19, 1967
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Murmansk, Russia
 50 
Andrey Arshavin
(Russian Former Professional Football Winger / Midfielder)
Andrey Arshavin
4
Birthdate: May 29, 1981
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Saint Petersburg, Russia

Andrey Arshavin is a Russian former football player who helped Zenit Saint Petersburg win several trophies, such as the League Cup, Russian Premier League, UEFA Cup, Russian Super Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup. He was also an important player for the Russian national football team and helped the team reach the semi-final of UEFA Euro 2008.