Tikhomirov had reportedly been suffering from a long illness.

Tikhomirov served as FIAS President from 1997 to 2004, before being named as an Honorary President of the governing body.

He also held roles as the Honorary President of the Union of National and Non-Olympic Sports of Russia, as well as an Honorary Master of Sports in Sambo.

The FIAS said Tikhomirov was both a trainer and international referee, who devoted his life to the development of sambo worldwide and striving to encourage young people to have healthy lifestyles.

"The International Sambo Federation expresses its deepest condolences on the tragic death of the outstanding sports figure, talented leader and remarkable person Mikhail Ivanovich Tikhomirov," an FIAS statement read.

"The memory of Mikhail Tikhomirov will forever remain in our hearts, the hearts of professional athletes and all sports fans.

"Mikhail Tikhomirov will forever remain an example of a talented, sincere and strong-minded person.

"The good memory of Mikhail Ivanovich Tikhomirov will forever be preserved by the entire sambo community and all sports fans."

The Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) has also paid tribute to Tikhomirov, who was a vice-president of the organisation from 2001 to 2005.

"Mikhail Tikhomirov devoted his whole life to coaching and managerial work in sports," an ROC statement read.

"Over the years, he headed FIAS, the European and All-Russian Sambo Federations.

"The team of the Russian Olympic Committee expresses deep condolences to the family and friends of Mikhail Ivanovich Tikhomirov, his pupils of different years and colleagues at work."