Gorbachev (ゴロバチョフ Gorobachofu?, based on Mikhail Gorbachev) is the president of Russia. He appears in Zangief's ending from Street Fighter II.
Concept
The president is never explicitly identified by name in none of his appearances, but he has more than one obvious resemblance to the former Soviet president in real life, Mikhail Gorbachev. It was not until the inclusion of his profile in Shadaloo Combat Research Institute that he was properly named for the first time.
History
When younger, Gorbachev was the captain of the wrestling section of a famous university. After graduating he began working as a politician, and he carried out a wrestling international exchange program in countries around the world, serving as its supreme leader.
As the president of Russia, Gorbachev runs the largest wrestling federation in the world. Seeing Zangief's performance at the World Warrior tournament, he wanted to offer Zangief a lucrative contract. By joining the wrestling federation, Zangief would be able to show his power, and of his country, to millions of people. Zangief agrees, and they dance Hopak with three KGB agents to celebrate Zangief's victory. Zangief became one of the main wrestler from his federation, and Zangief sees Gorbachev as his senior.[1]
Trivia
- While this character is clearly modeled after Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the USSR (1985-1991), he remained in his position, reimagined as the President of Russia, throughout all his subsequent appearances. His background as a wrestler in college, however, runs in parallel with the current real-life Russian president, Vladimir Putin, who has practiced sambo and judo since his teenage years.
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