Athlete-Coach Lasha Gabarayev Dies at 36

In Yekaterinburg, 36-year-old Lasha Gabarayev has died — a sportsman and kyokushin karate coach. The tragedy was announced on the official page of the kyokushin karate organization in Russia.

«It is with sorrow that we announce that on January 21, 2026, after a prolonged battle with illness, the talented sportsman, mentor, and leader — Lasha Gabarayev — has passed away. We mourn and offer condolences to the family, relatives, close ones, friends, and students. There are no words to describe the pain of this loss. Today, our kyokushin family has lost a part of its soul,»

Lasha«s acquaintances told E1.RU that he had been battling cancer. On December 27, he celebrated his last birthday.

«Today, our coach and friend Lasha Gabarayev has ended his earthly journey. Lasha faced one of the most terrible illnesses and fought for his life for a long time. Many of you walked this difficult path with him — helping with treatment, supporting with word and deed. Lasha became a coach at the RMK Martial Arts Academy on its opening day and always devoted himself fully to his work with children and adults. It is as a man of action that we will forever remember our sensei,»

The farewell for Lasha Gabarayev will take place on January 22 at «Voznesenie» (Ascension), and the funeral service — at the Church-on-the-Blood. The athlete will be buried at Shirokorechenskoye Cemetery.

Lasha Gabarayev was the vice-president of the kyokushin karate federation in Sverdlovsk Oblast and a coach for the RMK Martial Arts Academy«s karate team. In 2021, during the European Championship semifinals, Lasha ended up on the operating table after a hard hit, immediately after which he returned to the competition and won.