Who Was Vladimir Mestvirishvili? Former Wrestling Coach To Receive Posthumous Padma Shri

Last Updated:January 26, 2026, 11:25 IST

Vladimir Mestvirishvili awarded posthumous Padma Shri for shaping Indian wrestling and mentoring stars like Sushil Kumar.

Vladimir Mestvirishvili has been awarded Padma Shri posthumous (Picture credit: WFI)

Former Indian wrestling coach Vladimir Mestvirishvili was honoured on Sunday, January 25, with a posthumous Padma Shri for his lifelong contribution to the flourishing of the sport in India and mentoring several wrestlers. He passed away in June due to age-related illness.

Mestvirishvili, who served as coach of the Georgian team from 1982 to 1992, arrived in India in 2003 and went on to play a pivotal role in shaping the careers of multiple Indian wrestlers who later became Olympic medallists.

Known as Laado and seen as the architect of India’s wrestling resurgence, Mestvirishvili spent almost two decades in Haryana and New Delhi, moulding future stars before they went on to achieve international success.

The Padma Awards for 2026 were announced on Sunday, and Mestvirishvili found a mention.

“Is it for real what you are telling me? I am speechless, too emotional. It’s a proud moment for our whole family," Shalva Mestvirishvili, Vladimir’s son, said while speaking to The Times of India.

Mestvirishvili’s list of protégés includes Olympic medallists Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt and Bajrang Punia. Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Ravi Dahiya also trained under Mestvirishvili, who likewise guided World Championship medallist Deepak Punia during his formative years.

“Just the other night, my father came in my dreams. He was, as usual, imparting wrestling lessons to his trainees. And today, you are telling us about this big, big news," Shalva told The Times of India.

Yogeshwar Dutt had once said that it was Mestvirishvili who taught them how to fight. Under his guidance, both the former and Sushil qualified for the Athens 2004 Olympics, a breakthrough that marked the start of India’s rise as a force in international freestyle wrestling.

“It was like my father telling me in my dreams ‘Son, tomorrow you are going to hear great news about me’. I have no words to express my feelings. I am so emotional and literally crying," Shalva told The Times of India. 

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