KingOtoguro

Rei Higuchi - I'd favor nobody, but if anyone can do it then it would have to be Micic or Lee Kotaro Kiyooka - this is a tough one, but I would pick Shamil Mamedov to beat him. He isn't as one dimensional and predictable as Amouzad Razambek Zhamalov - I would favor Sidakov. Zhamalov looked awesome, but Takatani, Valiev, Rassadin and Salkazanov were in no way gold medal threats. Kadimagomedov was unfortunately not in shape either Magomed Ramazanov - David Taylor and Yazdani when healthy Akhmed Tazhudinov - probably no one. A healthy Sadulaev would make for an interesting challenge Geno Petriashvili - considering how Zare beat him 9-2 and 10-0 the last two times they had previously wrestled. I'd pick Zare

They are one of the top countries and even with two of their biggest names heading towards their last olympic cycle, the overall team was stronger in 2021.

I'll say Ramazanov, because nobody thought he'd beat Yazdani, lmao

I am well aware. He at least made the finals and although some of his matches were close, he did beat who he needed to.

You also have to take into account that he is no longer the same Kyle Dake that looked almost unbeatable at the 2021-2023 worlds.

Uguev and Rashidov? What have they done over the past few years? lol At least Sidakov won himself another world title.

It would have been nice to see Hildebrandt face Susaki.

The 50kg final is really unexpected. I think Susaki did this to herself, because who really thinks she wouldn't 10-0 Sarah and Vinesh if she turned up her attacks? It is really unfortunate for her and I fear for Vinesh the next time they step foot on the mat together.

Mamedov got 'injured' and will no longer go to Paris.

Sidakov is like 5-1/6-1 against Bizhoev, and his last loss is largely a result of Sidakov not being in great condition. Bizhoev is good, but not good enough to beat the top 5-7 in the world

Not a neutral flag. Those clean competed and represented the Russian Olympic Committee.

A dual would be pretty awesome, but we are talking about the Olympics. Despite some of the #1's not being present, I'll still watch and enjoy Olympic competition. Sure, 57/74/86 and 97 wouldn't be as stacked, as well as the GR/WFS categories, but it's wrestling. We watched the 2022 worlds without Russia/Belarus and these Olympics probably won't be much different.

Mamiashvili wants to talk with Mamedov and his coaches first, before competing under the neutral flag. Mamiashvili seems to hate the idea of competing under a flag that isn't Russia, despite Mamedov being the only one of the entire team that is a favorite to win gold.

You're not wrong, but sadly the Russian, that just so happens to be #1 at 74kg, will be missing. I didn't really consider Kadimagomedov a threat to gold, especially after last year's worlds performance.

This is certainly a take. Sidakov didn't start becoming a senior level wrestler until 2018. He was too inconsistent in the years beforehand.