#1 ranked 79kg Jordan Burroughs (Photo/Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com)57 KG
Olympic bronze medalist #3 Thomas Gilman (USA) looked in top form as he won his first world title with a 5-3 victory over Alireza Sarlak of Iran. Gilman's path to the finals saw him avenge two past losses to #6 Abubakar Mutaliev (RWF) by pin in his opening round match, tech fall Vladimir Egorov (MKD) 11-1 in the quarterfinals and broke a dangerous Horst Lehr (GER) 15-5 in the semifinals.
2020 European bronze medalist Horst Lehr (GER) was able to win Germany's first world medal since 1999 with an impressive 6-4 victory over #6 Abubakar Mutaliev of the Russian Wrestling Federation. In addition to his win over Mutaliev, Lehr was also able to take out European bronze medalist Afghan Khashalov 4-1 in the quarterfinals.
In his first year representing Belarus, after having been a three-time Russian Nationals bronze medalist, #15 Aryan Tyutrin (BLR) put together an excellent run to win world bronze. Tyutrin began his world championships campaign with an 11-1 tech fall over Goga Dzigua (GEO) and followed it with an impressive 3-1 victory over two-time world bronze medalist #14 Bekhbayar Erdenebat (MGL). 2019 U23 world bronze medalist, Alireza Sarlak (IRI), would fall behind Tyutrin early after a big four-point Uchi Mata, but two takedowns in the final minute of the match carried him to a 7-5 victory over Tyutrin, sending the talented Belarusian to repechage after Sarlak's upset victory against #8 Suleyman Atli (TUR) in the semifinals. Confident after a 10-0 tech fall win over Guesseppe Rea (ECU), Tyutrin concluded his world championships with a tight 3-1 victory over #8 Suleyman Atli (TUR) for bronze.
From the world championships, world champion, Gilman, rises one spot in the rankings to #2 over Olympic runner-up #2 Ravi Kumar (IND). World runner-up, Sarlak, enters the rankings at #6 for his victories over Atli and Tyutrin. World bronze medalist Tyutrin climbs up eight spots in the rankings to #7 after beating Atli and Khashalov. Lehr takes the #8 spot in the rankings after beating Mutaliev for world bronze.
October was also a very busy month for the Russian Wrestling Federation outside of the world championships with the U-23 Russian Nationals and All-Army competition taking place.
2020 Russian Nationals runner-up #11 Azamat Tuskaev (RWF) avenged his loss from the Russian Nationals semifinals to European runner-up #13 Nachyn Mongush (RWF) at the All-Army competition by a 3-1 score.
Ramazan Abdurakhmanov took home gold at the U-23 Russian Nationals after beating 2016 Cadet world champion Aleksey Kopylov (RWF) in the finals. Abdurakhmanov and Kopylov enter the rankings at #18 and #19 because of Kopylov's victory over Yarygin runner-up #16 Musa Mekhtikhanov (RWF). Bronze medalists at the U-23 Russian Nationals were Petr Kopylov by 10-0 tech fall over Magomed Gazigadanov and #20 Musa Mekhtikhanov by 11-4 decision over Akhmed Khuchiev.
61 KG
Top-ranked Abasgadzhi Magomedov of the Russian Wrestling Federation was successful in winning his first world title over American offensive dynamo #4 Daton Fix (USA) in a 4-1 match. Magomedov outscored his competition 26-1 along with two pins and picked up significant wins over Fix, 2018 57 KG U-23 world champion Toshihiro Hasegawa (JPN) and 2018 world bronze medalist Tuvshintulga Tumenbileg (MGL).
Fix outscored his competition 41-0 on his way through to the finals, notching big wins over 2019 European champion Arsen Harutyunyan (ARM) and 2019 U-23 world runner-up Ravinder Ravinder (IND). Coming up short against top-ranked Magomedov of the Russian Wrestling Federation in the finals, Fix still put together an incredibly impressive performance for his first Senior world medal.
2018 57 KG U-23 world champion Toshihiro Hasegawa (JPN) put together an absolutely excellent run for bronze at the world championships with wins over three ranked opponents in #7 Eduard Grigorev (POL), #9 Rahman Amouzadkhalili (IRI) and #13 Nico Megerle (GER).
2019 European champion Harutyunyan overcame a dominating 10-0 loss from world runner-up Fix in the semifinals to take world bronze with his own 10-0 tech fall of Ravinder to avenge a loss from the 2019 U-23 world championships. Ravinder, even after finishing in 5th place, still had a very appreciable world championships performance with wins over 2019 world champion #3 Beka Lomtadze (GEO) and Olympic 5th place finisher Georgi Vangelov (BUL).
The aftermath of the world championships sees Magomedov stay atop the rankings while #4 Fix climbs up two spots to #2 after his world silver. World bronze medalist Hasegawa debuts in the rankings at #3 after beating #7 Eduard Grigorev (POL), #9 Rahman Amouzadkhalili (IRI), #13 Nico Megerle (GER) and 2018 world bronze medalist Tuvshintulga Tumenbileg (MGL). Harutyunyan is back in the rankings at #5 after tech falling Ravinder for world bronze. Ravinder returns to the rankings at #6 for upsetting Lomtadze to go along with career wins over Harutyunyan (ARM) and #18 (65) Dinislam Takhtarov (RWF).
Salikh Muradov (RWF) is in the rankings at #11 due to beating #12 Taras Markovych (UKR) for bronze at the Ali Aliyev in June. This is a correction on my end as I mistakenly put Markovych over Muradov before and did not rank him. Reminder that Markovych tech falled three-time World/Olympic medalist #15 (57) Nurislam Sanayev (KAZ) at the Ali Aliyev.
The U-23 Russian Nationals saw an age group upheaval after the title-winning performance of Artur Chebodaev (RWF). Chebodaev won gold in the finals over Akhmed Zubairov, after Zubairov had upset Junior world bronze medalist #14 Fedor Baltuev (RWF) earlier in the competition. Chebodaev picked up a big win in his own right on his way to the finals, beating 2019 57 KG Alans bronze medalist Alexander Shabanov (RWF). Bronze medalists at the U-23 Russian Nationals were #14 Fedor Baltuev by 12-0 tech fall over Said Khunkerov and Alexander Sabanov over Kezhik Mongush 11-0. The results of the U-23 Russian Nationals saw Artur Chebodaev and Akhmed Zubairov debut in the rankings at #18 and #19 while bronze medalist #14 Fedor Baltuev fell six spots to #20.
65KG
#3 Zagir Shakhiev (RWF) overcame tight matches against Rohit Rohit (IND) and Tulga Tumur Ochir (MGL) to make the 65 KG world finals, where he was absolutely dominant in a 14-4 performance against Amirmohammad Yazdani Charati (IRI) for gold.
Tumur Ochir put together a career-best tournament run to finish with world bronze. Tumur Ochir used a big 2-1 upset win over Olympian #6 Vazgen Tevanyan (ARM) in the quarterfinals and fell 4-4 in a razor-thin criteria upset loss to Shakhiev in the semifinals. In the bronze medal match, leading 6-4 with a charging Rohit Rohit (IND) looking on his way to taking the match lead, Tumur Ochir hit a perfect counter throw to secure the pin and world bronze.
Alibek Osmonov (KGZ) won world bronze 4-1 over European runner-up Kryzsyztian Bienkowski (POL) in what was the frankly more underwhelming repechage bracket of Amirmohammad Yazdani Charati (IRI).
#18 Yianni Diakomihalis (USA) made his much anticipated Senior world championships debut and after a dominant 10-0 victory over Colin Realbuto (ITA) in the qualification round, he was matched up with Tevanyan. Against the powerhouse Tevanyan, Diakomihalis was outmatched and fell 5-1 in the round of 16.
There were some lower-level upsets that occurred, with Junsik Yun (KOR) beating 2020 European bronze medalist Ali Rahimzade (AZE) and Vasyl Shuptar (UKR) beating 2020 European runner-up Nyurgun Skryabin (BLR) in his qualification round. Shuptar would go on to beat Yun 3-2 in the round of 16 and later on fall to Alibek Osmonov (KGZ) in the quarterfinals.
The U-23 Russian Nationals saw some serious action that heavily impacted the bottom half of the rankings. Walking away with gold was 2020 61 KG Russian Nationals bronze medalist Ibragim Abdurakhmanov (RWF) over 2018 Alans champion Muslim Saidulaev (RWF). Bronze medalists at the U-23 Russian Nationals Usman Shakhgiriev (RWF) 12-3 over Dinislam Takhtarov (RWF) and Ibragim Ibragimov (RWF) 5-0 over Dzhambulat Kizinov (RWF). Dinislam Takhtarov (RWF) was the catalyst for much of the change in the rankings as he used an opening-round win over Yarygin champion #15 Alik Khadartsev (RWF) to begin his path to the semifinals, where he fell to Muslim Saidulaev (RWF). 3x Russian Nationals medalist Nachyn Kuular (RWF) beat 2019 Sargsyan Cup runner-up Artur Badtiev (RWF) 1-1 on criteria in the All-Army competition.
The results of the world championships saw Tumur Ochir return to the rankings at #6 for beating #6 Tevanyan along with having career wins over #1 (70) Magomedmurad Gadzhiev (POL) and Amirmohammad Yazdani Charati (IRI). The U-23 Russian Nationals saw an addition of four formerly unranked wrestlers in U-23 Russian nationals champion Abdurakhmanov at #15, runner-up Saidulaev at #16, bronze medalist Shakhgiriev at #17 and 5th place finisher Takhtarov (RWF) at #18. Yarygin champion Alik Khadartsev (RWF) and Yarygin runner-up Dasha Sharastepanov (RWF) both fall four spots in the rankings to #19 and #20. 3x Russian Nationals medalist Kuular, Diakomihalis, 2x Russian Nationals runner-up Ramazan Ferzaliev (RWF) and U.S. Olympic Trials and World Team Trials runner-up Joey McKenna (USA) have been removed from the rankings.
70KG
2019 world bronze medalist #6 Magomedmurad Gadzhiev (POL) was able to ascend to the top spots in the rankings after winning world gold in Oslo. Gadzhiev was able to avenge his 2017 65 KG world finals loss to #16 Zurab Iakobishvili (GEO) and beat 2019 65 KG U-23 world champion Turan Bayramov (AZE) before winning a close 2-1 victory over fellow 65 KG Tokyo Olympian #7 (65) Ernazar Akmataliev (KGZ) in the finals.
World silver medalist #7 Akmataliev made an impressive run to the finals, putting together back-to-back ranked wins over Junior world champion #12 Erfan Elahi (IRI) in the quarterfinals and upsetting top-ranked Evgheni Zherbaev (RWF) in the semifinals. Even with Akmataliev's close loss to Gadzhiev in the finals, he should still hold his head high for the year that he's had and beating ranked elite competitors the likes of Zherbaev, Bayramov, Bekbulatov, Elahi, Yazdani Charati, and Arushanian.
2018 world bronze medalist #16 Zurab Iakobishvili (GEO) had been in something of a career slump from 2019-2020 but successfully capped off the quad with a world bronze medal over European runner-up Bayramov.
#1 Evgheni Zherbaev (RWF), a Russian Nationals runner-up in March, rightfully earned his top spot in the rankings going into the world championships by beating European champion #2 Israil Kasumov (RWF) and 2019 world champion #4 David Baev (RWF) in the world team wrestle-offs. Zherbaev looked the part of a champion to be dominating Asian champion Syrbaz Talgat (KAZ) 10-1 in his round of 16 match and pinning Batmagnai Batchuluun (MGL) while up 9-0 in his quarterfinal. In the semifinals, a game Zherbaev would be caught early by a big four-point headlock from #7 (65) Ernazar Akmataliev (KGZ) that would snowball into a 9-5 loss. In his chance of redemption in the bronze medal match, Zherbaev was in control throughout in a 6-0 victory over 2020 Individual World Cup bronze medalist Arman Andreasyan (ARM).
Age group phenom, Bayramov, was someone who turned a lot of heads with his performance in Oslo, even if it did end with a controversial fifth-place finish. Facing off against four past world finalists in a row, Bayramov began his tournament with a 3-2 win over 2018 world silver Adam Batirov (BRN) to make the quarterfinals against 2017 world runner-up #8 James Green (USA). Bayramov controlled the match throughout, using his 2-1 and limp leg defense to great success and leading 6-1 late when Green exploded through for a 4 point claw knee pick in the final closing seconds of the match. Walking away with his 6-5 victory over Green, Bayramov faced 2017 65 KG world silver Gadzhiev and was robbed of a chance in the world finals on a controversial no takedown call on the edge in what became a 4-2 loss. 2017 65 KG world champion #16 Zurab Iakobishvili (GEO) would be Bayramov's challenger for world bronze and what looked to be a world medal sealed late by a Bayramov exposure was controversially reversed to an Iakobishvili takedown and the talented Azerbaijani was sent home without hardware.
From the results of the world championships, Gadzhiev, takes the #1 spot in the rankings for winning world gold. #7 Ernazar Akmataliev (KGZ) debuts in the 70 KG rankings at #2 after beating Zherbaev and Erfan Elahi to make the world finals. World bronze medalist Zherbaev falls two spots in the rankings to #3 in the rankings after losing to Akmataliev in the world semifinals. Iakobishvili moves up eight spots in the rankings to #8 for beating Bayramov for world bronze. Bayramov makes his return to the rankings at #9 for beating Green and 2018 world runner-up #19 Adam Batirov (BRN) to make the world semifinals. World 5th place finisher Arman Andreasyan (ARM) is back in the rankings at #14 for beating Junior world champion Elahi in repechage.
#10 Rezuan Kazharov (RWF) was able to make a major statement in winning the U-23 Russian Nationals over Yuri Arakelyan (ARM). Kazharov picked up a huge win over Yarygin champion #3 Kurban Shiraev (RWF) in his opening round match to climb up five spots in the rankings to #5 while Shiraev dropped three spots to #6. Bronze medalists at the U-23 Russian Nationals were Inar Ketia 8-5 over Alan Cheldiev and 2018 65 KG Junior world champ Sayin Kazyryk 11-1 over 2019 Junior world bronze medalist Alan Kudzoev. #5 Cherman Valiev (RWF) was removed from the rankings as he went back up to 74 KG for the U-23 Russian Nationals where he won gold over Magomet Kardanov (RWF).
Two-time 65 KG world bronze medalist Chakaev competed up at 70 KG for WOLNIK 6 against Gitinomagomed Gadzhiev (AZE). Chakaev was able to walk away the victor in a 6-3 match. Anzor Zakuev (RWF) also competed at WOLNIK 6, taking an impressive victory over 2018 European bronze medalist Murtuz Muslimov (AZE) in a back and forth match.
74KG
Olympic bronze medalist #3 Kyle Dake (USA) was successful in winning his third world title by fending off a resurgent #14 Taimuraz Salkazanov (SVK) 7-3 in the finals. Dake's path to the finals saw him overcome old foes Fazli Eryilmaz (TUR) and Medved champion #12 Azamat Nurikov (BLR) along with a dominant victory over 2019 70 KG Junior world runner-up Vasile Diacon (MDA).
Salkazanov proved that he was no flash in the pan after his European title-winning performance, beating the likes of Alipasha Umarpashaev (BUL), #6 Timur Bizhoev (RWF) and #8 Avtandil Kentchadze (GEO) to make the world finals.
Bizhoev overcame a heartbreaking last-second 2-2 quarterfinal loss to world runner-up Salkazanov to rebound for world bronze with a wild 8-6 victory over 2018 world runner-up Kentchadze. Bizhoev's world medal makes it eight in a row for the Russian Wrestling Federation at 74 KG, with the last time they failed to medal at a World/Olympic championships being in 2013 when Kakhaber Khubezhty (RWF) failed to place after an opening-round loss to Narsingh Yadav (IND).
Fazli Eryilmaz (TUR) used controlling handfighting to neutralize offense of Nurikov to win a world bronze medal with a 2-1 victory. Nurikov picked up one of the biggest wins of his career when he beat 2020 Russian Nationals runner-up #16 Khetag Tsabolov (SRB) 7-7 in the quarterfinals with a go behind in the closing seconds of the match. While Tsabolov has fallen in the rankings since 2020, it should not be forgotten that he has accounted for pound-for-pound number one Zaurbek Sidakov's only losses since 2018, where he beat him in the 2018 Yarygin finals and the 2020 Russian Nationals in the round of 16.
From the aftermath of the world championships, Salkazanov climbs up ten spots in the rankings for his victories over Bizhoev and Kentchadze, coupled with his wins at the European championships this year over #5 Frank Chamizo (ITA) and #6 Razambek Zhamalov (RWF). Fazli Eryilmaz (TUR) is back in the rankings at #14 for beating Nurikov for world bronze. Dake holds down the #3 spot for his world title as his loss to #2 Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (BLR) from Tokyo prevents him from climbing any higher.
#5 (70) Cherman Valiev (RWF) made his return to 74 KG, where he won the U-23 European championships earlier this year. Competing at the U-23 Russian Nationals, Valiev was impressive in winning gold over Magomet Kardanov. While his finals win over Kardanov is nice, Valiev's important wins came earlier in the competition as he beat Yarygin champion #10 Aznaur Tavaev (RWF) and Umar Mutaliev (RWF) to return to the rankings at #11. Bronze medalists at the U-23 Russian Nationals were Umar Mutaliev 10-4 over #10 Aznaur Tavaev (RWF) and Magomet Yevloyev (RWF) by pin over Mokhamed Nasirkhaev (RWF). #7 Magomed Kurbanaliev (RWF) tech falled Sayin Kazyryk (RWF) 11-0 in the All-Army competition.
2014 Russian Nationals runner-up Yakup Shikhdzhamalov made his first return to competition at WOLNIK 6 since having not competed since December 2018 at the Alans. Shikhdzhamalov was dominant in his return, tech falling Ruslan Mashukov (RWF) 16-0. Shikhdzhamalov transferred to Romania this July and will be a contender for this quad at 74 KG.
79KG
#1 Jordan Burroughs (USA) turned back father time once more as the wrestling legend further cemented his legacy by winning his 6th World/Olympic title over #20 Mohammad Nokhodilarimi (IRI). Burroughs looked excellent throughout his tournament run with wins over #3 Radik Valiev (RWF) and Ryuki Yoshida (JPN) to bolster his resume.
#20 Mohammad Nokhodilarimi (IRI), a Junior world champion in August, put together a fantastic run to make his second world finals this year before finishing runner-up to top-ranked Burroughs. Nokhodilarimi picked up the biggest win of his career in the semifinals when he upset European bronze medalist #7 Nika Kentchadze (GEO) 6-5 to make the world finals. Nokhodilarimi's showing in Oslo makes him a contender to keep an eye on and a much-needed anchor for Iran at 74 and 79 after failing to place at both weights all quad.
Kentchadze overcame a heated 6-5 semifinal upset loss to Nokhodilarimi to win world bronze over Arman Avagyan (GEO). Kentchadze and his brother Avtandil now both claim Senior and U-23 world medals, with Nika taking bronze here and Avtandil finishing silver at the 2018 74 KG world championships and both brothers winning U-23 world gold in 2018 at 79 and 74 KG.
#3 Radik Valiev (RWF) was the clear second-best man to Burroughs in this bracket and a dominant 11-0 win over Ryuki Yoshida (JPN) for world bronze further prove the point. Expect to see Valiev in contention for world gold throughout this upcoming quad.
Junior European runner-up Ashraf Ashirov (AZE) upset European champion #9 Akhsarbek Gulaev (SVK) 4-0 in the round of 16 before falling 4-4 on criteria to Yoshida.
From the world championships, Jordan Burroughs maintains his top spot in the rankings while world runner-up Nokhodilarimi climbs fourteen spots in the rankings to #6 after beating #7 Nika Kentchadze (GEO) in the semifinals. World 5th place finisher Yoshida debuts in the rankings at #10 after beating Ashirov in the quarterfinals after Ashirov's upset win over Gulaev.
#9 Magomed Magomaev (RWF) won U-23 Russian Nationals over Dmitry Kuprin. Kuprin did notch the biggest win of his career earlier in the tournament by upsetting 2019 Junior world champion Amkhad Tashukhadzhiev (RWF). Bronze medalists at the U-23 Russian Nationals were Tashukhadzhiev 5-4 over Yusup-Khadzhi Aydaev and Akhmed Manilov 6-2 over Rasul Asluev.
In one of the marquee matchups of the WOLNIK 6, world bronze medalist Valiev took on 2019 world bronze medalist #4 Gadzhi Nabiev (RWF). Nabiev was dominant throughout the match and handed Valiev a 6-2 loss, scoring 3 takedowns against Valiev. Nabiev moves up one spot in the rankings to #3 while Valiev drops one spot to #4.
86KG
#2 Hassan Yazdani Charati (IRI) claimed his fourth World/Olympic title and the top spot in the rankings by avenging his past three losses to Olympic champion #1 David Taylor (USA) 6-2 in the world finals. Yazdani Charati's dominance was felt throughout the tournament as he outscored the likes of Azamat Dauletbekov (KAZ), Ethan Ramos (PUR) and #3 Artur Naifonov (RWF) 30-4 on his way to the finals.
Olympic champion #1 David Taylor (USA) relented his top spot in the rankings after a 6-2 loss in the world finals to #2 Hassan Yazdani Charati (IRI). Even with Taylor's unexpected loss in the finals, there should be no mistaking that the American standout was still not in his usual dominant form on the way to the finals with two pins and an 11-0 tech fall to his name in Oslo.
Abubakar Abakarov (AZE), a 2019 79 KG U-23 world runner-up, has been one of the new crop of Azerbaijan's upperweight prospects for this quad to watch and he lived up to his hype, making the world semifinals by outscoring his competition 30-4. Getting the first takedown against Olympic champion #1 David Taylor (USA) to start their match, Abakarov's title hopes were quickly dashed as Taylor stormed back for a dominant pin, but Abakarov's first Senior world championships ended with triumph as he defeated 2017 world runner-up #14 Boris Makoev (SVK) 9-5 for bronze.
#3 Artur Naifonov (RWF) has been the epitome of consistency for the Russian Wrestling Federation since 2019 and added his third World/Olympic medal to his collection with a world bronze in Oslo won over Azamat Dauletbekov (KAZ). Naifonov was successful in fending off fellow 2019 world bronze medalist Taimuraz Friev Naskideava (ESP) 5-2 in the quarterfinals after Friev Naskideava had upset Tokyo Olympian #12 Osman Gocen (TUR) in the qualification round.
From the world championships, Yazdani Charati takes the number one spot in the rankings and reclaims his spot as the greatest after beating Taylor in the world finals. Taylor falls one spot in the rankings to #2 while Friev Naskideava returns to the rankings at #12 after beating #12 Gocen in his opening round match at the world championships.
Bobuli Tsoloev (RWF) debuts in the rankings at #18 after winning the U-23 Russian Nationals over 92 KG Dagestani Freestyle Wrestling Championships gold medalist Zagid Karimov (RWF). Tsoloev's win that propelled him into the rankings was in the semifinals over U-23 European champion #17 Amanulla Rasulov (RWF). Bronze medalists at the U-23 Russian Nationals were Slavik Naniev 6-4 over Ashkaab Saadulaev and Junior world bronze medalist Islam Kartoev 5-2 over #19 Amanulla Rasulov.
2019 European champion #9 Vladislav Valiev (RWF) used a clutch exposure in the final 2 seconds of his match against Ali Aliyev champion #7 Javrail Shapiev (UZB) to win 5-4 at WOLNIK 6 and move up two spots in the rankings to #7. In a battle between U-23 Russian Nationals bronze medalists, #18 Amanulla Rasulov (RWF) came out on top of a lopsided 8-1 victory against Slavik Naniev (RWF) at WOLNIK 6.
92KG
#2 Kamran Ghasempour (IRI) won the 92 KG world title in a clutch 8-4 performance over top-ranked Magomed Kurbanov of the Russian Wrestling Federation. Ghasempour proved himself the world champ before the finals as he beat reigning two-time world champion #13 J'den Cox (USA) 3-3 in the semifinals after Cox had been near untouchable at the world championships from 2018-2019.
Cox capped off an up and down year with a world bronze medal earned with an 11-0 tech fall over Andrii Vlasov (UKR). While Cox is one of the most talented upperweight wrestlers, the U.S. has seen this generation, the inconsistency that has plagued him on the biggest stage that sees him come up short against the best and drop matches against competition he should easily surpass prevents him from climbing any higher in the rankings.
U-23 European runner-up #14 Osman Nurmagomedov (AZE) climbed up six spots in the rankings to #8 after winning world bronze over #11 Amarhadzhi Magomedov (BLR). Nurmagomedov's climb up to the rankings was also assisted by his victory over 2020 86 KG Individual World Cup runner-up #9 Zbigniew Baranowski (POL) in the quarterfinals, after Baranowski had scored a dominant 8-1 upset over U-23 European champion #8 Erhan Yaylaci (TUR) in the round of 16.
The aftermath of the world championships saw Ghasempour take the #1 spot in the rankings after beating Kurbanov, Cox, #14 Andrii Vlasov (UKR) and #15 Irakli Mtsituri (GEO). Nurmagomedov moves up six spots in the rankings to #8 for winning world bronze after wins over Magomedov and Baranowski. Andrii Vlasov (UKR) is back in the rankings at #14 for beating 2019 world bronze medalist Mtsituri in repechage.
#5 Azamat Zakuev (RWF) won the U-23 Russian Nationals title over Konstantine Pshenichnikov. Bronze medalists at the U-23 Russian Nationals were Ivan Kirillov 11-0 over Yaroslav Savchenko and Tamerlan Kotsoev 4-3 over Artem Tskharebov.
97KG
#1 Abdulrashid Sadulaev (RWF) further cemented his legacy with his seventh World/Olympic title in Oslo, earning it by way of a 6-0 decision over 3x World/Olympic champion #2 Kyle Snyder (USA). Sadulaev's path to title #7 saw him dominate the likes of Takashi Ishiguro (JPN), 2x European runner-up #18 Aleksandr Hushtyn (BLR) and 2018 U-23 world bronze medalist Mahamed Zakariiev (UKR) on his way to the finals.
#2 Kyle Snyder (USA) secured his seventh World/Olympic medal by taking silver in Oslo to #1 Sadulaev. Sadulaev beat 2019 world bronze medalist Magomedgadzhi Nurov (MKD), Batsul Ulziisaikhan (MGL) and 2x U-23 world champion #11 Mojtaba Goleij (IRI).
Goleij recovered from a razor-thin loss to 3x World/Olympic champion Snyder to take bronze at the world championships with a 10-0 victory over Ulziisaikhan. Goleij opened up the world championships with a 4-0 victory over 2018 world bronze medalist #6 Elizbar Odikadze (GEO) in the qualification round.
Outgunned in the semifinals in what would end as an 11-0 tech fall loss to #1 Abdulrashid Sadulaev (RWF), Zakariiev rebounded to cap off his world championships performance with a bronze medal win over #18 Aleksandr Hushtyn (BLR). Zakariiev's best win of the world championships came in the quarterfinals when he upset European runner-up #10 Suleyman Karadeniz (TUR).
Goleij moves up five spots in the rankings to #6 after beating Odikadze on his way to taking bronze at the world championships. Zakariiev enters the rankings at #11 for beating Karadeniz and Hushtyn to take bronze.
Shamil-Imam Gadzhialiev (RWF) won gold at the U-23 Russian Nationals. Gadzhialiev upset Russian Nationals bronze medalist Khokh Khugaev (RWF) on his way to the finals, where he dominated Abdulla Kurbanov (RWF). Kurbanov, to his credit, had also upset 2020 Russian Nationals bronze medalist Aslanbek Gazzaev (RWF) on his way to the finals. Finishing with bronze medals at the U-23 Russian Nationals was Khokh Khugaev (RWF) 4-2 over Mikhail Zhmykhov (RWF) and Aslanbek Gazzaev (RWF) 2-2 over David Kabisov (RWF).
In a rematch of this year's Russian Nationals finals, European champion #10 Alikhan Zhabrailov (RWF) was able to put up another win over Aslanbek Sotiev (RWF), this time with a 4-2 score at the WOLNIK 6 event. 2019 world bronze medalist Magomedgadzhi Nurov (MKD) put up an impressive 9-1 victory over Yarygin champion Magomedkhan Magomedov (RWF) at the WOLNIK 6 event.
125KG
Olympic bronze medalist #3 Amir Zare (IRI) announced himself as the new king of heavyweight with a 9-2 thrashing of Olympic runner-up #2 Geno Petriashvili (GEO). Zare's path of dominance on his way to the finals was equally impressive, proving himself superior to the likes of #1 Taha Akgul (TUR), #8 Nick Gwiazdowski (USA) and #10 Dzianis Khramiankov (BLR).
3x World champion #2 Geno Petriashvili (GEO) recorded his second World/Olympic silver medal of the year with a runner-up finish in Oslo to #3 Amir Zare (GEO). Petriashvili defeated #9 Lkhagvagerel Munkhtur (MGL), Johannes Ludescher (AUT) and Asian champion Oleg Boltin (KAZ).
Akgul took his won his second World/Olympic medal of the year with a bronze medal finish in Oslo over Gwiazdowski. While Akgul did lose a one-sided 4-0 match in the semifinals to Zare, he did show himself still to be one of the elites of the division with victories over #4 Zelimkhan Khizriev (RWF) and Gwiazdowski.
Munkhtur (MGL) won Mongolia's second bronze medal of the world championships with a 5-3 victory over Asian champion Oleg Boltin (MGL). Munkhtur's world bronze medal-winning performance in Oslo is huge for a Mongolian team that looks to rebuild and contend this quad coming off two world bronze medals in Oslo.
Russian Nationals bronze medalist Saypudin Magomedov won the U-23 Russian Nationals title over Junior world bronze medalist Andrey Bestaev. Finishing with bronze at the U-23 Russian Nationals was Ismail-Bek Nirov 3-0 over Said Gairbekov and 2018 Junior world champion Soslan Khinchagov 5-4 over Alen Khubulov. #12 Erik Dzhioev (RWF) beat #20 Kazbek Khubulov (RWF) 2-2 on criteria in the All-Army competition.
Olympian #7 Sergey Kozyrev (RWF) was successful in his first return to competition since Tokyo at the WOLNIK 6 event. Competing against 2019 Russian Nationals runner-up Said Gamidov (RWF), Kozyrev came out the victor 5-2.
Zare takes the top spot in the rankings after his victories over Akgul (TUR), Petriashvili (GEO), Gwiazdowski (USA) and Khramiankov (BLR) on his way to world gold. Akgul falls two spots in the rankings to #3 after his bronze medal performance in Oslo.
Pound for Pound
74 KG world runner-up Taimuraz Salkazanov (SVK) is back in the rankings at #10 after beating #15 Timur Bizhoev (RWF) at the world championships. Salkazanov (SVK) has additional wins over #12 Frank Chamizo (ITA) and #13 Razambek Zhamalov (RWF) to justify his top ten spot in the rankings. #25 Amir Zare (IRI) skyrockets up the rankings to #11 after beating World/Olympic champions #10 Taha Akgul (TUR) and #11 Geno Petriashvili (GEO) on his way to 125 KG world gold in Oslo. 70 KG world champion Magomedmurad Gadzhiev (POL) makes his return to the pound-for-pound rankings at #19, while 70 KG world runner-up Ernazar Akmataliev (KGZ) debuts at #20 for his semifinal win in Oslo over #17 Evgheni Zherbaev (RWF).
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