The legendary Colonel Mikhail Ryabko, Systema founder, has passed away in April 2023.
We mourn a huge loss to the world and the biggest loss to all of Systema and the Vasiliev family.
Mikhail was the light and power in our lives, an inexhaustible source of knowledge for Systema. He has been guiding, healing, and inspiring everyone around him.
It was a true honour and privilege to build Systema together, and to have a life-long close friendship with this great warrior and teacher.
To view Mikhail Ryabko’s funeral, click here
The Warrior’s Legacy Scholarship Fund has been established to commemorate the tradition of strong spirit, profound knowledge, and dedication to training.
All the funds collected will go to support Systema practitioners in need and provide access to training to those of them who are not able to afford it.
If you would like to make a donation, you may also indicate where you prefer your funds to be allocated (see above).
If you wish to be sponsored, please send us a brief email with your name and what sponsorship you are looking for.
training@russianmartialart.com
If you’d like to make a donation directly to the Ryabko family, please click here.
Richard Tabnik –
Meeting him changed my life. May he rest in peace and know the gratitude of so many.
Jonathan Hewitt –
I’m always deeply touched by the way you speak of Mikhail with such awe, reverence, humility, respect, appreciation, and love. I can only imagine how proud of both of you he must have been for your incredible devotion to carry the Systema torch. Mikhail seemed to embody the innocence of a child, the power of a warrior and the wisdom of a sage or monk. He has deeply touched you and so many others, and his work will carry on through the training you so graciously offer.
Gregory Rutchik –
He has essentially saved my life by what you and he have shared. Without learning Systema I would be unable to overcome life’s uncomfortable realities and am able to find space still. May the loudest trumpets blast in his honor from heavens high and may we all celebrate all he has shared and also comfort those who are in pain.
Daniel Lentz –
Thanks to what I learned through Sergei by way of Mr. Vasiliev and Mr. Ryabko, I am able to lead a musical life in a healthy, well-functioning body after 8 years of injury. I am eternally grateful for what I have learned and continue to learn from Systema. Blessings to his family and loved ones and the Systema community.
Jeff Faris –
He was a remarkable man and an exceptional teacher. I feel blessed to have even just a tiny spark of learning from Mikhael and carry this collectively with all of the community that, however deeply or fleetingly, have had the fortune to share his wisdom, skill and knowledge.
Mark Zamarin –
I will certainly miss his warm smile and remember the honor of being able to train with him over the years.
Ghassan Ghanem –
The world has lost a reference in calmness and righteous power. Mikhail Ryabko is a well respected teacher and indeed a great soul impacting us positively.
Nicholas Caro –
I can only thank him by prayers for his work in developing and sharing his knowledge to all. The art Michael taught has changed my life in so many positive ways, I cannot express my gratitude. A treasure to say the least.
Chris Philp –
I have never met Col. Ryabko, but have still been positively impacted by his influence through Vladimir and other members of the Systema family. He inspired us to be better. Thank you for being channels of his knowledge, expertise, and generosity.
Adam Abenante –
I feel blessed to have met and have worked with him.
Grandmaster Yonten Tharchen –
He will be remembered and shall remain in the hearts of many followers for the footprints he left behind and the seed he has sown shall be harvested for many years to come. It is a great loss for the global Systema family members.
Anthony Adamson –
His presence offered much beyond words.
Matt Conner –
I am truly grateful to him and to you for sharing the secrets of Systema with the world.
Monk Joseph –
Although I only knew him through the books and videos which you publish, I agree that he was an extraordinary man. I imagine him now like Jacob who sparred with the angel. Now he has his chance 🙂
Jim Bergdoll –
Although I never met Mikhail, I have benefitted greatly from his teachings.
Venkat Nambi –
Michael was very kind and a man of GOD, he always had the prayer rope in his hand, praying all the time. He was filled with grace (holy spirit), he was able to transmit and heal many people and was very funny, humble and at the same time, very powerful. I was very fortunate to see him and train under him. When he teaches, it is so simple. People were able to learn quickly, and his presence was felt by everyone. What I can’t forget is even during his sickness, during the last days of his life, Vladimir used to call him and, lying on his bed, he would ask Vladimir to teach us the exercise. Michael would speak through the phone and Vlad taught, for the whole month of Dec 2022 and early Jan 2023. He had such a passion for Systema. I am just grateful to God to come across such beautiful Masterss. GOD grant him eternal life. His spirit lives in our heart forever. We miss him greatly.
Matt Hill –
The essence of what he taught, to be calm, good people, ripples out from those who do their best to embody the teaching.
John Giduck –
I will always remember him as one of the most impressive and gifted people I’ve ever met, far beyond his hand-to-hand combat prowess. The world is a far lesser place without him.
Doc Fenton –
Although I did not meet “Michael” personally, through your deep appreciation and descriptions and his films, I felt a closeness to him; this was His and your gift to me and many, many others. I am truly grateful.
Cassidy Stone –
I have deep gratitude for all that Master Ryabko shared. Even though I only got to learn from him indirectly, his teachings have made a huge impact on my life.
Richard L. –
I want to offer my sincere condolences to the passing of the truly unique and masterful Mikhail Ryabko. While a loss to the Systema community, the gentleman clearly left an enormous impact on many students of the martial arts. I would go so far as to say it is largely due to his generous instruction that there has been such a proliferation in true understanding of internal arts during our current era. The profound and diverse wealth of knowledge put forth under Mr. Ryabko and Mr. Vasiliev over the past decades has been enormous. The instructional materials and available videos of the next generation of Systema instructors has provided both inspiration and a wealth of information.
Dan Brulé –
Good to see this honoring of Mikhail… I had several meetings with him over the years… He was always generous and kind… And he gave me a taste of his martial skills and his healing power Sowing how the same energy that breaks bricks can be used to mend bones… And the same energy used to throw someone to the ground can be used to build up their immune system He was a unique teacher and a genuine inspiration. It was a gift to know him.
Matt Conner –
Thank you for maintaining the legacy of this great man who gave so much to the world through Systema.