Senior Predictions?

[peanut]

• 57- Han
• 61- Uguev
• 65- Amouzad
• 70- Ibragimov
• 74- Aoyagi
• 79- Kougioumtsidis
• 86- Kadiev
• 92- Hidlay
• 97- Tazhudinov
• 125- Zare

[bnwtwg]

I will share most of my predictions as we get closer and hear about cuts, but I will say that if Snyder and Yaz meet up that I believe Snyder is going to beat the crap out of him. Score may be close or may not, but Kyle John Snyder is taking him to the woodshed.

I've been wrong plenty before and will be again, but I have strong conviction on this particular matchup in this year.

[Sulyvahn]

I'm mainly interested in 87kg+ weights, but here goes

55 kg

Gold: Sefershaev

Azizi has been the mainstay of this weight class, but I think the younger Sefershaev will win this weight. I think Sefer has won the lat two euros. I also generally think Russia will have a bounce back from their atrocious 2025 worlds performance, and this will be part of it. 

US Perspective: Nowry is 36? That's so old for a lightweight (granted these very bottom end lowest weights sometimes do have more successful oldies than the 60-80 range). DNP

60 kg

Idk. I feel like we were robbed of a rivalry between Emelin and Fumita during their prime years. I don't think the champion from last year will repeat. 

US Prospective: DNP. i think he is a typical representation of the no medal era crowd. 

63 kg

I am rooting for Emelin since I like his style. Nazaryans son is here. That's interesting

US prospective: I don't know much about Johnson. My guess is he's probably on the older side and a lot like our 60 kg rep. 

67 kg

Gold: Jafarov

I think 67kgs ruthlessness is going to finally catch up to Esmaeili. Some match will be really close and I see him being on the wrong end of it. 

US prospective: Black still loses conformably to wrestlers at least a level below a Jafarov. He is young, unlike a lot of the squad. On the opposite side of the favorite which helps. DNP.

72 kg

I don't know much about this weight class. Benji Peak is an odd looking fellow. Tall and very very thin. 

77 kg

Gold: Fristch

The only name I recognize is Fritsch, I think he is the blond Hungarian? That's all I got. He's pretty good, maybe his stars will align. 

US Perspective: The 77 kg rep lost a match to a 46 year old at the trial finals? DNP. 

82 kg

Gold: idk

Makhmudov is here. I do get the feeling that he might be in that unfortunate Geraei faze of his career that most wrestlers from 60-82ish kg go through. It's just a brutal sport. One moment your on top of the world the next you realize you might never be a champion again. Him going up in weight isn't a good sign. 

US Perspective: I think Kamal Bey and Schutlz are the two best wrestlers (as in most likely to medal) that the US has on the team. Whatever I am going out on a limb here. Bronze

87 kg

Gold: Alirzaev

Komarov, Levai, Alirzaev.... all can beat each other on any given day. 87 has so much parity at the top level. I am going with the Russia bounce back. 

US Prospective: I think he is better than most of our reps, but 87 has so may gold medal level wrestlers and he's not at that level. So it makes it unlikely that he'll get a bronze. DNP

97 kg

Gold: Milov

I just don't think Saravi will sweep the cycle. Someone is going to derail him. Milov is huge, beat Aleksanjan, and has been wrestling well. I'm bearish on Sargsian. He's undersized and really struggles to score agains the better wrestlers. It's a shame Evloev lost his lifts, what can you do though that style is so taxing. 

US Prospective: Just happy to be there. I've heard that this weight has been horrendous recently, even by US greco standards. Boykin was really bad, and he was our rep in the recent past.  DNP

130

Gold: Hedayati

The biggest favorite of all the weights. He should wreck everyone. Old man Riza and "God knows what shape I'll be in"  Semenov do not have the cardio to hang with him. The 20 year old version was already beating Riza, and he's just gotten better, stronger. He has a nasty headlock and snap down that the plodders in this weight class (just waiting for par terre) aren't used to. The only hope for the field I think is that someone young, like maybe Hlinhcuk, physically matured and jumped a lot of levels. 

American Prospective: Great draw. The heavy hitters are on the other side. Shultz's problem has been that he doesn't have great defense. And if you're facing a bunch of Vitek types, chasing to make up the score almost never works for a whole tournament. DNP. 

 

[LJB]

arena is absolutely packed…

crazy because Greco is soooo unpopular…

 

[de4856]

I hope that I am wrong, but I believe that we are in for some tough sledding here. 

[LJB]

wow...

what a great set of semis...

Gomi with the big upset of Sultangali...

even bigger upset with Saricicek dropping Makhmudov...

and then the day is capped off with Gutu and the death sentence and pin of Kubatov that even americans will see on the highlight reels...

iran puts 3 out of 4 in the finals...

Nowry at 55 is the lone US guy pulled back into repechage...

 

[RAFWiki]

1 hour ago, LJB said:

arena is absolutely packed…

crazy because Greco is soooo unpopular…

This is footage from the opening ceremony, you dork - the Greco event was included in the price

There's barely any tickets sold for Day 2 of Greco tomorrow

[LJB]

1 minute ago, RAFWiki said:

This is footage from the opening ceremony, you dork - the Greco event was included in the price

There's barely any tickets sold for Day 2 of Greco tomorrow

it was from the semis opening match you fukn dummy...

do you ever grow tired of getting literally everything wrong?

[RAFWiki]

7 minutes ago, LJB said:

it was from the semis opening match you fukn dummy...

do you ever grow tired of getting literally everything wrong?

No one will ever pay to watch your children wrestle

[LJB]

1 minute ago, RAFWiki said:

No one will ever pay to watch your children wrestle

and yet again…

you get it wrong…

You are a truly miserable person…

[BruceyB]

19 hours ago, Truzzcat said:

These predictions feel heinous

I just clipped the last part of your post for the sake of space.

57kg: I am really pulling for Spencer here. I really think this might be his last shot at winning a World/Olympic title, and it would really be a travesty if he finishes his career without one. I would put him right up there with Kolat as far as guys I feel the most sympathy for not having won a title (albeit for different reasons). In my mind, if it wasn't for bad knees, there is a very realistic chance that Spencer could have been the best 57kg wrestler of all-time. I think it's highly likely that the best version of Spencer Lee we have seen was in 2020 before the knees gave out. Since then, he's had to adapt to his new limitations and because he is so damn good, he is still one of the very best in the world despite the limitations. Couple that with being a now 27 year old 57kg wrestler, and it's entirely possible that he can hold the spot for two more years, but I wouldn't be surprised if he get overtaken by one of the young guys as he continues to age (Abas vs Cejudo). Regardless of what happens next weekend, Spencer will always be one of the great "what-ifs" in MFS for me.

70kg: I know you're as high on Robideau as I am, if not higher. Is Khalili really this good? I'll be rooting for him since that is a boost to my (our) prediction that Robideau is an absolute killer this year.

86kg: I'm curious why you'd pick Okazawa other than his strong start against Aoeden. 

97kg: Why Yaz? I haven't followed too closely but does he have any wins over the mainstays up at 97kg? I'd assume Snyder and Sadz in the finals until Taz or Yaz look like they are close to their peak again.

[Bulldozer Without Brakes]

2 hours ago, RAFWiki said:

This is footage from the opening ceremony, you dork - the Greco event was included in the price

There's barely any tickets sold for Day 2 of Greco tomorrow

I am in Kazakhstan. You are wrong. The arena was very busy. Incredible turnout especially for day 1 Greco. Much busier than U23 worlds ever was in the USA.

[LJB]

7 minutes ago, Bulldozer Without Brakes said:

I am in Kazakhstan. You are wrong. The arena was very busy. Incredible turnout especially for day 1 Greco. Much busier than U23 worlds ever was in the USA.

In the clip you can see the ref on the mat and wrestlers on the big screen…

5Xs is just a miserable anonymous forum nerd…

that arena was electric when the semis started…

[Truzzcat]

1 hour ago, BruceyB said:

I just clipped the last part of your post for the sake of space.

57kg: I am really pulling for Spencer here. I really think this might be his last shot at winning a World/Olympic title, and it would really be a travesty if he finishes his career without one. I would put him right up there with Kolat as far as guys I feel the most sympathy for not having won a title (albeit for different reasons). In my mind, if it wasn't for bad knees, there is a very realistic chance that Spencer could have been the best 57kg wrestler of all-time. I think it's highly likely that the best version of Spencer Lee we have seen was in 2020 before the knees gave out. Since then, he's had to adapt to his new limitations and because he is so damn good, he is still one of the very best in the world despite the limitations. Couple that with being a now 27 year old 57kg wrestler, and it's entirely possible that he can hold the spot for two more years, but I wouldn't be surprised if he get overtaken by one of the young guys as he continues to age (Abas vs Cejudo). Regardless of what happens next weekend, Spencer will always be one of the great "what-ifs" in MFS for me.

70kg: I know you're as high on Robideau as I am, if not higher. Is Khalili really this good? I'll be rooting for him since that is a boost to my (our) prediction that Robideau is an absolute killer this year.

86kg: I'm curious why you'd pick Okazawa other than his strong start against Aoeden. 

97kg: Why Yaz? I haven't followed too closely but does he have any wins over the mainstays up at 97kg? I'd assume Snyder and Sadz in the finals until Taz or Yaz look like they are close to their peak again.

70kg lacks anyone that has separated from the field to me khalili is 1-1 with ochir he has never beaten heybatov but I prefer him against the field I think.

The start against Aedon as well as the guy he teched for bronze at u20's beat Zahid like a month ago in that tournament right after RAF moscow.

Yaz beat Azapira for the spot and Azarpira killed everyone besdies Yoshida at Asians but he did beat Yoshida another instance of is Sadulaev even close to peak form? Snyder has been good but in RAF matches and he was losing almost all of them until guys got tired was that just an out of training camp conditioning thing? Taz seems to have peaked at 20 years old.

[MPhillips]

23 minutes ago, Truzzcat said:

was that just an out of training camp conditioning thing?

That seems a bit disingenuous from you honestly. Perhaps it's not clear?

[Sulyvahn]

Well there goes my bronze pick. 

I was banking on a Russian bounce back, no finalists so far. I don't see Russia winning gold at 130 or 97 .

 

[Caveira]

22 hours ago, Truzzcat said:

57kg: 
Gold: Roman Bravo Young
Silver: Valizadeh
Bronze: Chong sang
Bronze: Tuskaev
(Roman has looked great as has Valizadeh Chong songs loss from asians is up at 61. Spencer has not won a meaningful tournament since 2024 trials where you can argue he was just far and away better than the field. I think you can make an argument that he is still that here but it just feels like something always trips him up. Lilledahls recent showing also gives me concerns given he took one from spencer.)

61kg:
Gold: Blaze
Silver: Uulu
Bronze: Uguev
Bronze: Haryutunyan 
(A lot of this is predicated on which side guys are on. I think Uulu can beat uguev and I think Marcus beats Haryutunyan. I am not sure that I currently see a path to Marcus beating Uguev, to me Uguev has more ways to score and can hold center if not control center against Marcus. I would have picked Jax if he was the guy so I am picking Marcus Uulu is my sleeper though that kids crazy and I believe hes 18 or 19.)

65kg:
Gold: Amouzad
Silver: Mamedov
Bronze: Sujeet
Bronze: Kudiev
(I always like to give myself a buffer by saying I think the weight cut matters for Amouzad. Assuming its ok he is the best guy. Tenabe and Kudiev were the guys I was toying with in the last slot I think both are great and can beat just about anyone. Tairybek zhamashbek uulu is also worth watching out for, he has wrestled Amouzad close has beaten tenabe, bilol sharp uulu who beat blaze last year and Nick lee.)

70kg:
Gold: Khalili
Silver: Enrie
Bronze: Tomiyama
Bronze: Heybatov
(I have no idea with this weight I want to say it stinks but I think thats just my lean because it lacks guys that I have any confidence in.)

74kg:
Gold: Amir Yazdani
Silver: Aoyagi
Bronze: Sheriev
Bronze: Salk
(Emami is doing a lot of heavy lifting for Yazdani here. I have been waiting for the Yaz tournament since he got that silver in 2023, key is going to be limiting the damage early against Aoyagi.)

79kg:
Gold: Haines
Silver: Nohkodi
Bronze: Khaniev
Bronze: kadik
(I just think freestyle is perfect he does not need to finish shots he just needs to get his hands locked and then hes horsing you up and pushing you out. It will be fun to watch and see if Nohkodi can stop levi from getting to his head outside shots.)

86kg:
Gold: Natsura okazawa (yeah I did it)
Silver: Kadiev
Bronze: Ramazonov
Bronze: Ghas
(Okazawa blew me away at u20's despite not winning it and he earned this spot over returning silver Ishiguro. If he can wrestled for 4 minutes and 30 seconds as long as he does not face Kyle or Dhizoev I think he will be able to fend off everyone else running him down. As to Kyle I think he can win the entire thing but given his age and having lost to Kadiev and Dhizoev its hard for me to see him winning the grind out matches he normally does against this field.)

92kg:
Gold: Hoagie
Silver: Firouz
Bronze: Gahdzimagomedov
Bronze: Tckoaev
(Trent keeps getting better but I think after getting a feel for him Firouz wrestles a much cleaner match against Gahdzi and then Trent gets a super close match in the finals)

97kg:
Gold: Yaz
Silver: Saddy cakes
Bronze: Taz
Bronze: Snyder
(gimme in my opinion 2 of the 3 best wrestlers of the 2020's in the finals) 

125kg:
Gold: Zare 
Silver: Kassimbek
Bronze: sharipov 
Bronze: Wyatt
(I think we see a much better Wyatt, I do not think he can wrestle a clean enough 6 minutes to beat Kassimbek or Zare but I think its a much better showing than last year.)

These predictions feel heinous 

 

 

I can’t find my tainted blue colored glasses…..   wait there they are 

[Simpleman424]

3 hours ago, Bulldozer Without Brakes said:

I am in Kazakhstan. You are wrong. The arena was very busy. Incredible turnout especially for day 1 Greco. Much busier than U23 worlds ever was in the USA.

I don’t think people even know what they’re arguing about anymore…

[LJB]

another crazy day of wrestling and we have not even made it to the semis yet...

20 year old Goriaev in a very competitive match with 2X world champ Ganizade and was up 5-2 with about 30 seconds left and gives up a 4 but Ganizade blows his knee out in the process... tries to continue after screaming on the mat but can not put any pressure on the leg at all and gives up an immediate TD and then is stretchered off... obviously tough for Ganizade, but, it was a super competitive match throughout before the injury...

Goriaev with Sohrabi next, which, probably is bad news for Benji who wrestled extremely well today and was up 4-1 late against Goriaev before a caution and 2 refusing to open up in par terre and then par terre restart and turn to lose 5-4... but benji looked really good in both matches...

Kayaalp gets dropped in the 1/4s in a pretty big upset after giving up an early arm spin for 4 to the the Fin... i cant see finland getting past heyadati which would mean Kayaalp will not get pulled back in... crazy

Schultz lost against Egypt in  match he sorta gave away by deciding to stop controlling center in the 1st and giving up the first passivity point... he still has no par terre at all... at some point that should become a point of empahsis... Egypt then goes down in the 1/4s in an absolute wild one to the bulgarian... neither of them brought any defense at all to the match and just decided to trade big heavy throws...

young at 97 loses his first match, but, actually scored a TD on croatia... croatia loses next match and young is out...

Sohrabi out of control good...

Saravi basically unchallenged...

Heyadati far and away the class of heavy...

Iran just miles ahead of everyone right now top to bottom...

[LJB]

another big upset with Sargsian dropping Saravi...

 

[LJB]

wow...

Gomi down 7-1 in the second and finally gets the modified arm spin he was dog on a bone all match and sticks Ahmadi for gold...

what a great match...

[LJB]

wow...

Iran all set to go 0-3 in gold medal matches today and Farokhi comes up big with a feet to back on the edge and Saricicek knows immediately he let that one slip...

another great match...

[LJB]

there are results that sting and that will sting for a minute...

[LJB]

everyone that does not get greco should just go look at Nakibov's face during his medal match...

greco is different...

[ionel]

1 minute ago, LJB said:

greco is different...

greco fans are different...