Six years ago Ivan Popov made Australian sporting history when he broke a 30-year gold medal drought for Australia at the New Delhi Commonwealth Games in Greco-Roman wrestling.
His name memorialised in the history books, some still have trouble remembering his face.
"Some of the people, some of the guys recognise you but some on them thinking I'm a basketball player, or a footy player, but definitely not a wrestler," he said.
The dream of wrestling gold started between brothers in Siberia, Russia.
Ivan and his younger brother Vladimir longed to make a life in wrestling and to wear the badge of honour synonymous with those in the sport.
Ivan and Vladimir Popov Source: Supplied
"The first wish we had was for broken ears. It's like a business card for a wrestler, so now I have broken ears it's perfect and I'm going to the Olympics."
And fulfilling a family legacy. His father, Vladimir Popov Senior won an Olympic bronze medal for Russia in 1988, as well as several other European and world titles.
Vladimir Junior, also a national titlist, missed out on qualifying for Rio after injuring his neck, but he says Ivan's victory is his victory.
"It doesn't matter who's going to go myself or Ivan, it's like we're one person the whole family is one person," he said.
One person who won't be watching is Ivan's wife Olga. Not until he won his Olympic qualification bout in Algiers had Mrs Popov seen her husband compete.
And what she saw, she didn't like.
"What they doing it's sort of scary and all the time he's getting hurt and I'm nervous so much," she said.
Popov missed selection for the London Games in 2012, the 29-year old using the opportunity to take a break from the sport and marry the love of his life.
Olga and Ivan Popov Source: SBS
Now with training back in full gear and Olympic preparations underway, Mrs Popov is back to feeding a heavy-weight wrestler.
"It's like we have family not from two people but like 10 people, so it's big giant pots. I try to do my best," she said.
Popov earned his ticket to Rio winning successive Australian national wrestling titles in 2015 and 2016.
His current form reigniting hopes that the Siberian-born athlete will be Australia's first Greco-Roman wrestler to bring home the silverware, and continue the family tradition.
Brother Vladimir said while it will be Ivan's fight, he won't be alone.
"I might even cry, in a good way but I'll be with him, even though I won't be on the mat with him but he's going to feel it and the whole family is going to be there, it's all about the family I reckon."
