The statue was sculpted by David Begalov. An inscription reads, "Varteres Samurgashev — first Olympic champion of Don." Samurgashev was awarded a gold medal of the Armenian Ministry of Sport in September 2012. On 27 December 2012, Samurgashev obtained Armenian citizenship and became a dual citizen by decree of President Serzh Sargsyan. Varteres stated receiving Armenian citizenship was one of his most memorable experiences. “I was born and raised in Rostov-on-Don, but I am Armenian, and that says it all,” he said. In 2014, he was awarded the title of "Honorary Citizen of the city of Rostov-on-Don".