International Judo Federation (IJF) President Marius Vizer has led the tributes to Kazakhstan's Makhmutov Beket following his death.
Beket was the Honorary President of the Kazakhstan Judo Federation and the vice president of the National Olympic Committee of Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan's news agency Kazinform said he will "go down in history" as a "highly-qualified coach who raised Kazakh sport to the next level".
"Mr Beket was a man of sport," the IJF said.
"He was involved in sport activities during his whole life.
"After being President of the Kazakhstan Boxing Federation for six years, it was in 2009 and, for three years, when he became President of the Kazakhstan Judo Federation.
"A vital position in a country that loves judo."
Vizer added: "On behalf of the International Judo Federation, I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family as well as to the Kazakh Olympic family and the Kazakh judo family.
"Our thoughts are with you in these difficult times."
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