2020 Russian Nationals Preview: 79 KG

2020 79 KG .png

Names to Know

  • #6 Khalil Aminov: 2018 Intercontinental Cup champ, 2018 Alans bronze, 2019 Alans champ, 2020 Yarygin bronze

  • #7 Kakhaber Khubezhty: 2013 74 KG world rep, 2017 Yarygin bronze 2018 Russian nationals bronze, 2019 Russian Nationals bronze, 2018 Tbilisi GP champ 2019 Alans runner-up,

  • #8 Atsamaz Sanakoev: 2013 74 KG national runner-up, 2018 Alans 2019 national runner-up, 

  • #9 Akhmed Usmanov: 2016 65 KG junior world champ, 2018 74 KG Ali Aliev champ, 2018 Alans bronze, 2020 NCFD champ, 

  • #10 Khalid Yakhiev: 2019 national bronze medalist, 2020 Yarygin bronze medalist

  • #13 Tazhidin Akaev: 2018 Ali Aliev 5th, 2018 University world champ, 2018 Kunaev champ, 2019 Korkin champ

  • #14 Gadzhi Nabiev: 2017 74 KG national runner-up, 2018 national bronze medalist, 2018 Alans champ, 2018 U-23 world runner-up, 2019 national champ, 2019 world bronze medalist

  • #18 Magomed Magomaev: 2020 junior national champion.

  • #19 Amkhad Tashukhadzhiev: 2018 Alans 5th, 2019 junior Euro runner-up, 2019 junior world champ, 2019 Korkin bronze, 2020 junior national runner-up

  • Khabib Magomedov: 2015 70 KG Ali Aliev runner-up 2018 74 KG Russian nationals 5th, 2018 Ugra Cup bronze

  • Gadzhi Gadzhiev: 2x 74 KG national bronze medalist (‘12 & ‘13), 2012 Ali Aliev champ, 2012 Baku GGP runner-up, 2013 Intercontinental Cup champ, 2013 Baku GGP runner-up

  • Evgeni Lapshov: 2016 Kunaev runner-up, 2017 Ugra cup champ, 2018 74 KG nationals 5th, 

  • Artur Bichenov: 2019 Ali Aliev runner-up

  • Akhmed Shokumov: 2018 junior European champ

The Bracket Breakdown

In the sake of preserving any shred of journalistic integrity I have, I am not going to outright say “ #14 Gadzhi Nabiev is not going to win at all and I greatly disapprove of Russia sending him to world’s last year even if he is a solid depth guy” but I believe in the field here that Nabiev is more than likely not going to repeat. But who’s to say, it could just be the post world’s drop off and he peaks come here and I’m wrong. We will see. 

Off the top Nabiev has a huge test against #9 Akhmed Usmanov who beat Yarygin bronze medalist #10 Khalid Yakhiev in the North Caucasian Federal District finals. If Nabiev gets past Usmanov (which will be a lot), he’ll have 2018 junior European champ Akhmed Shokumov who upset #1 Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (BLR) last year in the Deutsche Ringerliga (DRL). Say that Nabiev does make the semis, he’ll more than likely have returning bronze medalist #10 Khalid Yakhiev who would beat #13 Tazhidin Akaev in his opening match. The way I see it, if Nabiev does show up flat it’s going to be Usmanov or Shokumov making the finals. 

A great round of 16 match between #7 Kakhaber Khuebzhty and #8 Atsamas Sanakoev is on the top of the bottom half and I’ll go Khubezhty. In the quarters, I expect Khubezhty to beat out 2018 Intercontinental Cup runner-up Amanulla Gadzhimagomedov to make the semis. My favorite match of the qualification round is between junior national champ #18 Magomed Magomaev and 2019 junior world champ #19 Amkhad Tashukhadzhiev as it will give Magomaev a chance to prove his win junior national title run that saw him beat Tashukhadzhiev wasn’t a fluke, and for Tashukhadzhiev it gives him a chance to avenge the loss to Magomaev. And Tashukhadzhiev is good, like beat Tazhidin Akaev and Radik Valiev while still a junior at the 2018 Alans good. #6 Khalil Aminov vs Gadzhi Gadzhiev in the round of 16 will be a good match, but I see Aminov making the semis opposite Khubezhty who he leads the series against 2-1 ( 2019 Alans & 2020 Yarygin to Khubezhty win at 2019 nationals) and beating him to make the finals. If it’s Nabiev/Aminov I see Nabiev holding a close win over Aminov like he did in 2018 but Usmanov or Shokumov I see those matches being more in Aminov’s favor. 

Seth Petarra