Shibboleth

All but one finalist (Nachyn Mongush of Tuva, a region close to Mongolia, so Asia) are from the Caucasus region - Dagestan, Ossetia, Georgia and Armenia. The Azeri finalists are also transplants. Turkey in particulare has regressed spectacularly, and bona fide Europe is basically done with freestyle, there's nothing you can do about it. Sorry there is also Chechnya - all the "French" wrestlers are Chechen migrants into France. They are a bit different from other transplants, as they have moved to France in childhood or were even born there (so are 2nd gen migrrants) from the 1990s Cheechen war. As for others like -- Tuskaev, Abakarov, Valiev, Kurugliev, Tazhudinov, Shapiev, Osman Nurmagomedov, Salkazanov, Tsabolov, Ramazanov, tens of others --- these are basically Dagestanis or Ossetians with passports of other countries. They have little or no connection with the country they represent.

Thanks.. So here's the rundown: 57 - Ali Momeni - same as Zare - if he wins Takhti he's in, otherwise, winner of Takhti will face Momeni at int'l tournament or face to face 61 - Ahmad Mohammadnezhad is skipping all the trials and is shoo in 65 - Rahman Amouzad - similar do 61 Amouzad is in 70 - Shakeri and Momeni are in pole for this. If someone else wins Takhti, that someone else will have to have playoffs with the better of the former two (this makes sense?) Also, where is AM Yazdani 74 - Emami - same treatment as Momeni. 79 - Nokhodi in pole position. So, if Yousefi wins Takhti he'll get playoff with Nokhodi, but 1 down. (so it's like best of 3 but Yousefi starts 0-1, so he was to win 2 in a row). If someone else wins then that someone else has to go through Yousefi first (at a ranking tournament) and then same best-of-3 arrangement with Nokhodi. I guess Nokhodi is exempt from Takhti considering he was recently operated. There was some clause about Babaei which I don't quite understand. 86 - Ghasempour has the arrangement similar to Momeni and Emami 92 - Firouzpour is in without trials (like 61, 65) 97 - Azarpira exempt from Takhti due to injury/recovery. Winner of Takhti has to prove himself at a ranking tournament and then get the playoff vs Azarpira, best of 3 down 0-1 (similar to 79 kg) If I understood it correctly - If Goleij specifically wins Takhti, then he gets to prove it through 1 ranking tournament and then compete with Azarpira at another ranking t. (?) I didn't understand this bit. 125 - Zare - Arrangement similar to Momeni, Emami, Ghasempour

Can you link the full procedure? Iran wrestling proodecure is as Byzantine as it gets lol

This from Iran's 2022 WTT -- Masoumi is what 17? lost 11-3. This is when he went a bit over the board with the shenanigans. This is from ranking series last year. It's closer in terms of score, but not really. I can't find the 3rd one.

What is the h2h then? I think Masoumi lost to Zare once at an international tournament and then a couple times internally?

No there is no one. There's probably Tier 1 with Zare and Masoumi and then Tier 2 or even Tier 3 guys after that. Zare vs Masoumi, --- Masoumi is yet to beat Zare .I think hes 0-3 or something.

Confirmed as in, for tha Asian Champs next week, or for other tournaments / Iranian worlds trials?

Yes I did, Masoumi was up 9-6 with 30 seconds to go. He won 11-0 in 2 minutes. See the difference? Also remebmer, Masoume beat Kueter just 4-2 last September - altough he was reportedly injured then. So what I'm saying is that while Masoumi did improve, Parris lost a step clearly. He has no chance against Gable obviously but also I would not bet on him vs Kerkvliet and Hendrickson if they're in good shape come US Open

He lost 11-6 last time (it was last year at this same tournament) and it was fairly competitive. In that same tournament, Masoumi beat Givi Macharashvili 6-2, and Parris did the same with Givi, 9-2 a few months later. --- This time, these guys looked like from different divisions. Also, 4-2 win vs Zillmer, who I have a ton of respect for, is underwhelming. I thinks that Parris is either untrained or off his peak, and Masoumi is just approaching his best.

He's the member of Parliament in Georgia (equivalent of member of Congress). So he's not closer in his role to Gym Jordan rather Zare. He was scrapping with Amit Elor recently though - she's doing a camp in Georgia with Valentin Kalika I guess - but that's just two Olympic Champs rolling.

I think we have to say goodbye to Geno, as a wrestler at least. So, Iran likely has top 2 wrestlers at heavyweight, in a separate tier; I thought Parris would be close, but 1st period tech convinced me otherwise. All this provided Steveson stays out of freestyle, if Gable is back I think it's a pretty even matchup between him and the two Iranians

Something is off with Mason Parris. Probably demotivated and didn't train after the Paris 24 fiasco.

Thanks... what about the US team? They're probably sending some to Croatia, not sure about Yariguin...

Are Iranians competing in the Yariguin tournament (end of January) and if so, which team?

Is Messenbrink an odd-on favorite now for the 2025 WC spot at 74? Him or Carr, but Messenbrink more upside internationally, if he fix his defense. Still a significant downgrade for a 74 kg US rep since maybe 15 years. I don't think Messenbrink, or Carr, or anyone else in the picture is anywhere near medal threats for senior level, unfortunately.