David Rigert: key obituary facts
Is David Rigert dead? Yes. David Rigert died on October 26, 2026, at age 79.
Cause of death: David Rigert's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was David Rigert known for?
He was a Soviet weightlifter.
More about David Rigert
Born: 12 March 1947.
Place of birth: Nagornoe.
Place of death: Rostov Oblast.
Gender: male.
Occupation: weightlifter, coach.
Nationality: Soviet Union, Russia.
Education: Russian State University of Physical Education, Sport, Youth and Tourism.
Awards: Order of the Red Banner of Labour, Medal "For Labour Valour", Merited Coach of the USSR, Merited Coach of Russia, Honoured Master of Sports of the USSR, Medal of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 2nd class without swords, Order of Friendship.
Also known as: David Adamovich Rigert.
David Rigert, a Russian Olympic weightlifter and coach, died October 26, 2026, in Rostov Oblast, aged 79.
Born David Adamovich Rigert in Nagornoye, in the Kazakh SSR, he competed for the Soviet Union during a career that brought him an Olympic gold medal and six world titles. Rigert won gold at the 1976 Olympic Games and set 65 ratified world records, a record of achievement that placed him among the leading weightlifters of his era.
His international career was followed by work as a weightlifting coach in the Soviet Union and Russia. In 1999, he was inducted into the International Weightlifting Federation Hall of Fame. His honors included the title Honoured Master of Sports of the USSR, the distinction of Merited Coach of the USSR and Russia, the Order of the Red Banner of Labour and the Order of Friendship. He also received the Medal “For Labour Valour” and the Medal of the Order “For Merit to the Fatherland,” 2nd class without swords. Rigert studied at the Russian State University of Physical Education, Sport, Youth and Tourism. Of Russian–German descent, he was born on March 12, 1947, and became known internationally through his performances for the Soviet team and later work in the sport.