Alexander Savko is gone...
Kid Peligro Jiu-Jitsu News . . . A great wrestler is gone: Alexander 'Sacha' Savko
Submitted by: Kid Peligro / ADCC JJ Editor
Posted On 06/03/2004
A great wrestler, an even better coach and a very good friend has left us for the great mat in the heavens. Alexander 'Sacha' Savko died 2 weeks ago while training for the Athens Olympics. Sacha, a former World Champion from Belarus was one of the pioneer instructors in the ADCC Wrestling program. A great person with a gift for coaching 'Sacha' was loved by his students and everyone that met him.
Sacha competed in three ADCC's placing second in '99 to Kareen Barkleev in the 77 - 87 KG division. The thing that made Sacha so difficult and such a feared competitor in ADCC was his uncanny ability to use his wrestling moves against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, his 'unorthodox' escapes and attacks, in addition to his impeccable balance made him a perennial favorite for the podium.
But Sacha's accomplishments in ADCC World Championships and even his World Wrestling title paled next to his ability to teach. The man simply had a gift! He was the original trainer for ADCC Wrestling team and quickly turned a group of young kids into master competitors with his unbelievable knowledge, his tremendous enthusiasm and his tremenous caring for each athlete under his wing. Sacha had the incredible ability to read each individual's capabilities and mold techniques to that specific person.
An incredible wrestler even at an age that most wrestlers were past their time, Sacha was one of those rare talents that exceed the sport. A few years back Sacha was vacationing in his home Country of Belarus and went to see his old Wrestling coach. The coach egged Sacha into competing against the young bucks that were vying for the Belarus Olympic Team. Sacha competed one weight category above his normal because he didn't want the sacrifice of dropping weight and still beat the team and qualified for a spot! At the time, Sacha was employed full time at ADCC and declined to compete. That must have rekindled his dream as a few years later Sacha returned home and proceed to train again.
Two weeks ago Sacha collapsed on the mat while training. He was taken to the Hospital and later pronounced dead. Sacha died doing what he loved best and that is some comfort for those who knew and loved him.
I met Sacha in Abu Dhabi in '99 and we quickly became friends, he was a very kind man and super intelligent. We'd spend hours talking and he'd tell me about his experiences growing up in the Soviet Union and his experiences climbing the ranks of their Wrestling team. As our friendship grew my admiration for him grew even more.
He leaves behind his wife Svetlana and his son Misha and a host of friends that will miss his wisdom but especially miss his friendly warm smile!
Das ve dania Big Sacha! We will miss you!
Może Panowie z ZAPAŚNIKA przybliżą nam jego sylwetkę w najbliższym numerze, chodzi mi oczywiście o kariere zapaśniczą.
FaceBook
