THE CITY’S HISTORY TOLD THROUGH PEOPLE’S LIVES: MARAT NIYAZOV

There is no need for a special occasion to remember and reflect on personalities like Marat Ataevich Niyazov. No matter how much has already been written and told about him - it will never be enough. Our well-known fellow countryman from Ashgabat made his native land internationally famous. 

Truly worthy of praise is his performance in the rifle shooting event at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, when he missed a much-longed-for gold medal by a hair’s breadth, but became a silver medalist. However, it was the young Turkmen athlete’s tremendous success. And it was not his only win. The Turkmen shooter’s name is widely recognized in the world of sport as a multiple-time world, European and USSR champion.      

Here is his impressive record of achievements: a seven-time world champion, ten-time world championship silver and three-time bronze medalist, three-time European champion, European championship silver and bronze medal winner, fourteen-time USSR champion, nine-time world record-breaker, eleven-time European record-breaker, thirteen-time USSR record-breaker both in individual and team events. He was aptly hailed as Mergen (a sharp-shooter) by people. 

He was a man of remarkable versatility. Famous Turkmen journalist Vladimir Zarembo writes about M. Niyazov: “Nothing in life happens by itself, without a reason. The fact that back in 1953, the then-student at the I. Gubkin Institute of Oil and Gas in Moscow chose shooting sport was predetermined by Marat Ataevich’s character trait: the ability to set a goal and work towards it. What is more, the natural fighting instincts took over in as well. Can you find a man who is not partial to weapons? Every man has, in a greater or lesser degree, a predisposition to weapons – the genetic memory passed down from remote ancestors – warriors, hunters, and duelers. It might have been that memory that made Marat Niyazov join the shooting club.” 

… Marat Niyazov’s boundless energy and unbridled enthusiasm were really amazing. He continued his career as a trainer and traveled around the world well into his seventies. Then, he finally decided to retire: he had his home, loving and beloved wife, children, and grandchildren. What else could he ask for to live a happy life at his age? He was 75 when something unexpected happened that opened up a new chapter in the Turkmen veteran shooter’s life. But this time it did not happen on a sports ground, but on the set.  

At the Alty Karliev Turkmenfilm studio, director Kerim Annanov was going to shoot a short-length film entitled ‘Autumn’ based on his father Baba Annanov’s novella, and was looking for an actor for the lead male role. 

The studio was holding auditions.  The weeks went by, but the director could not find the right type for the role. Once, he happened to meet Marat Ataevich, whom he had known for many years. The outstanding shooter had a bushy moustache and beard. This made him look like a dignified ak sakal (white-bearded elder). 

The film director and Marat Ataevich may have had a chance meeting on B. Garryev Street (formerly Lakhuti Street). Renowned Mergen loved to walk under the cool shade of trees that lined the street not far from his home. This was how the famed sportsman made his screen debut in ‘Autumn’. And it was a success…

Once again, we are paying tributes to our great fellow countryman. He passed away twelve years ago, but his memory lives on. This is the memory of the great sportsman, inspiring personality and respectable citizen of his home country. 

The City’s History Told through People’s Lives: Marat Niyazov (turkmenistan.gov.tm)