2020 61 KG Russian Nationals Preview

Photo by Dmitry Feoktistov/TASS via Getty Images

Photo by Dmitry Feoktistov/TASS via Getty Images

Names to Know

  • #2 Ramazan Ferzaliev: 2019 Russian nationals runner-up, 2x Alans champ (‘18 & ‘19), 2020 Yarygin runner-up.

  • #3 Abasgadzhi Magomedov: 2018 Alans champ (57), 2019 Yarygin runner-up (57), 2019 Russian nationals bronze medalist, 2019 Alans runner-up

  • #9 Ibragim Abdurakhmanov: 2018 Intercontinental Cup runner-up (57), 2019 Intercontinental Cup champ, 2020 Yarygin 5th

  • ##10 Artem Gebek: 2017 Russian nationals runner-up (57), 2017 Yarygin runner-up (57), 2018 Russian nationals bronze, 2019 Medved champ

  • Fedor Baltuev: 2017 cadet world champ (50 KG), 2020 Russian junior nationals champ

  • Alexander Sabanov: 2019 Alans bronze medalist (57 KG), 2020 

Russian junior nationals runner-up

  • Zhargal Damdinov: 2019 Dmitri Korkin Memorial champion

  • Tamerlan Karaev: 2015 Intercontinental Cup champion (57), 2020 North Caucasian Federal District (NCFD) runner-up

  • Magomed Abdurakhmanov: 2017 cadet world bronze medalist (46 KG), 2018 Alans bronze medalist (57 KG), 2020 Russian junior national champion

  • Nyurgun Aleksandrov: 2017 Ugra Cup champ, 2018 Kunaev runner-up, 2020 Takhti Cup champion

  • Ibragim Ilyasov: 2014 Ziolkowski champion, 2018 U-23 European champion

  • Dmitry Aksenov: 2014 Medved bronze medalist, 2017 Russian nationals bronze medalist, 2018 military world championships bronze medalist


The Bracket Breakdown

Returning national runner-up #2 Ramazan Ferzaliev looks like the man to beat here but the story of his path to the finals will be how he contends with two offensively gifted prospects in Fedor Baltuev, the junior national champion, and Alexander Sabanov, the junior national runner-up and last year’s bronze medalist at the prestigious Alans at 57 KG in the quarters and semis. Ferzaliev is one of the fastest starters in the game and arguably the best in the world of transitioning from neutral offense to par-terre, a combination that makes him a deadly matchup for anyone in the world. 

Headlining the bottom half of the bracket is returning bronze medalist and Alans runner-up #3 Abasgadzi Magomedov. Magomedov has 2017 national bronze medalist Dmitry Aksenov first round, but a matchup in interested in for him is the quarters against junior national champ Magomed Abdurakhmanov who was also bronze at the 2018 Alans which Magomedov won, or Tamerlan Karaev, a veteran of the scene coming off a win over 57 KG national champion Ramiz Gamzatov at the North Caucasian Federal District tournament. I’m really looking forward to the round of 16 matchup between #9 Ibragim Abdurakhmanov and #10 Artem Gebek. Abdurakhmanov could be the sleeper here as he has past wins over both Gebek and Magomedov at last year’s intercontinental cup, but did lose to Magomedov this year at the Azaev tournament this year. Smart money is on a Magomedov/Ferzaliev rubber match going down in the finals but Abdurakhmanov is extremely game and Sabanov and Baltuev are dangerous for Ferzaliev as well. If Magomedov/Ferzaliev does materialize, it will be the third meeting between the two with the 2018 Alans champ Magomedov falling twice to the 2x Alans champ Ferzaliev at the 2019 Ali Aliev and in last year’s Alans finals.

2020 61 KG Russian Nationals.png
Seth Petarra