2021 Men's Freestyle Wrestling Russian Nationals Preview
Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images
The first day of Russian nationals will see the 57, 86, and 92 kilogram weight classes compete. 57 is going to be the weight to watch for day one, as three time world champion #1 (57) Zavur Uguev seeks to win his fifth straight Russian national title with #2 Azamat Tuskaev, the returning national runner-up to Uguev and his last domestic loss, being his biggest challenge. 86 KG looks to carry on the hard fought rivalry between world medalists #3 Dauren Kurugliev and #4 Artur Naifonov.
86 KG boasts the best depth of the upper weights as it also features 2x Russian nationals bronze medalist #5 Magomed Ramazanov who is coming hot off a Henri Deglane title, 2018 79 KG world bronze medalist #14 Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov and three time Russian nationals bronze medalist #13 Arsenali Musalaliev.
92 KG will be absent of 2019 world bronze medalist, 2020 Individual world cup champion #1 Alikhan Zhabrailov who has moved up to 97 kilograms. In his absence, 92 KG will be bolstered by the trio of returning two time national runner-up #3 Magomed Kurbanov,
2018 national champion #4 Batyrbek Tsakulov and two time European champion,12x Russian nationals medalist #7 Anzor Urishev,
57 KG
Athletes to Watch
#1 Zavur Uguev- 4x Russian nationals champion (‘17,’18,’19,’20), 2x world champion (‘18,’19), 2020 Individual World Cup champion. Key Wins: #2 Azamat Tuskaev (2018 Yarygin finals, 2019 Ali Aliev finals, 2020 Russian nationals finals), #5 Reineri Andreu Ortega (2019 Ali Aliev, 2018 world championships), #8 Nurislam Sanayev (2018 world finals), #6 Ravi Kumar (2019 world semis), #7 Yuki Takahashi (2018 world championships). Key Losses: #2 Azamat Tuskaev (2017 Alans finals), Giorgi Edisherashvili (2017 European championships semifinals, 2018 European championships finals), Makhir Amiraslanov (2019 European Games).
#2 Azamat Tuskaev- 2020 Russian nationals runner-up, 2020 Yarygin champion, 2020 European champion, 2017 Alans champion. Key Wins: #1 Zavur Uguev (2017 Alans finals), #3 Akhmed Idrisov (2020 Russian nationals semifinals, 2020 Yarygin finals), #13 (61) Suleyman Atli (2020 European championships finals), Abubakar Mutaliev (2019 Alans bronze medal match). Key Losses: #1 Zavur Uguev (2018 Yarygin finals, 2019 Ali Aliev finals, 2020 Russian nationals), #3 Akhmed Idrisov (2019 Alans), #13 (61) Suleyman Atli (2017 U-23 European finals)
#3 Akhmed Idrisov- 2018 Junior world champion, 2019 Alans champion, 2020 Yarygin runner-up, 2020 Russian nationals bronze medalist. Key Wins: #2 Azamat Tuskaev (2019 Alans), Bekhbayar Erdenebat (2019 Alans finals), Abubakar Mutaliev (2019 Alans), #5 Reineri Andreu Ortega (2019 DRL), Giorgi Edisherashvili (2019 DRL), Ramiz Gamzatov (2020 Russian nationals bronze medal match). Key Losses: #2 Azamat Tuskaev (2020 Yarygin finals, 2020 Russian nationals semifinals), Vito Arujau (2019 junior world championships)
Ramiz Gamzatov- 2019 Russian national champion, 2018 Intercontinental Cup champion, 2018 Alans bronze medalist, 2020 Yarygin bronze medalist. Key Wins: Muslim Sadulaev (2019 Yarygin finals), Abubakar Mutaliev (2020 Yarygin), #16 Islam Bazarganov (2020 Moscow Cup), Alexander Sabanov (2020 yarygin bronze medalist) Key Losses: Bekhbayar Erdenebat (2019 Alans), Alexander Sabanov (2019 Alans bronze medal match), #2 Azamat Tuskaev (2020 yarygin, 2020 Russian Nationals), #3 Akhmed Idrisov (2020 Russian nationals bronze medal match)
Khasanhussein Badrudinov- 2019 Russian nationals bronze medalist, 2019 Ugra cup champion, 2019 Intercontinental Cup runner-up, 2021 61 KG Dagestani freestyle wrestling championships champion, 2021 North Caucasian Federal District Runner-up Key Wins: #2 Azamat Tuskaev (2019 Intercontinental Cup), #14 Aryan Tyutrin (2019 Russian Nationals), Abubakar Mutaliev (2021 61 KG Dagestani freestyle wrestling championships finals), Donduk-Ool Khuresh-Ool (2019 Russian nationals) Key Losses: Muslim Sadulaev (2019 Russian nationals semis, 2020 Russian nationals quarterfinals), Abubakr Mutaliev (2019 Intercontinental Cup finals, 2021 North Caucasian Federal District finals), #2 Azamat Tuskaev (2019 Ali Aliev), #13 (61) Suleyman Atli (2017 U-23 world championships).
Abubakar Mutaliev- 2019 Intercontinental Cup champion, 2019 Kadyrov Cup runner-up, 2021 North Caucasian Federal District champion. Key Wins: Thomas Gilman (2019 Intercontinental Cup, 2019 Alans), Khasanhussein Badrudinov (2019 Intercontinental Cup, 2021 North Caucasian Federal District finals), Salikh Muradov (2019 Intercontinental Cup). Key Losses: Ramiz Gamzatov (2020 Yarygin), Dzhabrail Gairbekov (2021 61 KG Dagestani freestyle wrestling championships bronze medal match), Khasanhussein Badrudinov (2021 61 KG Dagestani freestyle wrestling championships semifinals), #3 Akhmed Idrisov (2019 Alans semifinals), #2 Azamat Tuskaev (2019 Alans bronze medal match).
Donduk-Ool Khuresh-Ool- 2019 President Cup of Buryatia champion, 2018 national runner-up, 2018 Yarygin bronze medalist, 2018 Alans runner-up. Key Wins: #3 (65) Ismail Musukaev (2016 Yarygin), #14 Aryan Tyutrin (2018 Russian nationals, 2019 President Cup of Buryatia finals), #7 (61) Ibragim Abdurakhmanov (2018 Alans quarterfinals), Muslim Sadulaev (2018 Alans semifinals). Key Losses: #1 Zavur Uguev (2018 Russian nationals finals), #1 (61) Abasgadzhi Magomedov (2018 Alans finals), #3 Akhmed Idrisov (2020 Russian Nationals), Khasanhussein Badrudinov (2019 Russian Nationals)
Magomed Gazigadanov- 2021 Dagestani freestyle wrestling championships gold medalist. Key Wins: Ramazan Bagavdinov (2021 Dagestani freestyle wrestling championships gold medalist). Key Losses: N/A
Bracket Breakdown
The top half of the bracket sees returning national runner-up #2 Azamat Tuskaev will face his first test of the tournament in the round of 16 against 2019 national champion Ramiz Gamzatov. Tuskaev has beaten Gamzatov twice in 2020 at the 2020 Yarygin and by tech at nationals, so Tuskaev should be in the clear. Tuskaev has a chance at revenge in the semifinals where he will likely take on 2019 Russian nationals bronze medalist Mikhail Ivanov, who beat him in the quarterfinals two years ago. Tuskaev will most likely win a 4-0, 5-2 type of match against the defensively stingy Ivanov to make the finals.
The bottom half of the bracket is all about #1 Zavur Uguev in which he should coast his way through the bottom half akin to last year’s performance where he teched his way through to the finals 30-0. Abubakr Mutaliev should be a good match for Uguev in the round of 16, and has a rematch of his 2018 finals in the quarters against Donduk-Ool Khuresh-Ool and Uguev should be fine through to the semis. On the other side, keep an eye for the #3 Akhmed Idrisov vs. Khasanhussein Badrudinov quarterfinal which will likely be a very high scoring affair. In the semis, I take Uguev in a close one against Idrisov as Idrisov is one of the handful of people in the whole world at 57 kilograms who can really push Uguev along with #2 Azamat Tuskaev. So in the finals, I favor #1 Zavur Uguev over #2 Azamat Tuskaev again and for bronze I’d go with #3 Akhmed Idrisov over Abubakar Mutaliev and Ramiz Gamzatov over Mikhail Ivanov.
Predictions:
GOLD: #1 Zavur Uguev over #2 Azamat Tuskaev
BRONZE: #3 Akhmed Idrisov over Abubakar Mutaliev
BRONZE: Ramiz Gamzatov over Mikhail Ivanov
86 KG
Athletes to watch
#3 Dauren Kurugliev- 2x Yarygin champion (’17,‘19), 2017 European champion, 2018 Russian nationals champion, 2019 European Games champion, 2019 National runner-up, 2020 Individual World Cup runner-up. Key Wins: #4 Artur Naifonov (2018 Russian National finals, 2020 Russian National finals), #5 Magomed Ramazanov (2020 Russian nationals semifinals), #6 (92) Zbigniew Baranowski (2018 world championships, 2019 European Games, 2020 Individual world cup finals), #14 (92) Vladislav Valiev (2018 Russian Nationals semifinals), #7 Piotr Ianulov (2020 Individual world Cup), #12 Myles Amine (2019 European Games). Key Losses: #1 David Taylor (2018 world semis), #2 Hassan Yazdani Charati (2018 world bronze medal match), #4 Artur Naifonov (2018 Yarygin, 2019 Ali Aliev finals, 2020 Yarygin finals), #6 (92) Zbigniew Baranowski (2019 Ziolkowski), #14 (92) Vladislav Valiev (2015 Russian Nationals)
#4 Artur Naifonov- 2017 Junior world champion, 2017 Alans champion, 2018 Yarygin bronze medalist, 2018 Dan Kolov champion, 2018 European champion, 2018 national runner-up, 2018 U-23 world runner-up, 2019 Ali Aliev champion, 2019 Korkin champion, 2019 Russian nationals champion, 2020 Yarygin champion, 2020 Russian nationals runner-up. Key Wins: #3 Dauren Kurugliev (2018 Yarygin, 2019 Ali Aliev finals, 2020 Yarygin finals,) #5 Magomed Ramazanov (2019 Russian Nationals), #7 Anzor Urishev (2019 92 KG Korkin finals), #14 (92) Vladislav Valiev (2017 Alans, 2019 National finals), #9 Boris Makoev (2020 European championships), #12 Myles Amine (2019 world bronze medal match, 2020 European championships finals), Shamil Kudiyamagomedov (2018 Dan kolov, 2018 European championships), #11 Fatih Erdin (2018 European championships) Key Losses: #1 David Taylor (2018 Yarygin), #3 Dauren Kurugliev (2018 national finals, 2020 national finals), #2 Hassan Yazdani Charati (2019 world championships semifinals), #2 (92) Kamran Ghasempour (2018 U-23 world finals), Slavik Naniev (2018 Alans)
#5 Magomed Ramazanov- 2x Russian nationals bronze medalist (‘19 &’20), 2018 79 KG Tbilisi GP runner-up, 2020 Yarygin champion, 2020 European runner-up, 2021 Henri Deglane Grand Prix champion. Key Wins: #6 Sebastian Jezierzanski (2021 Henri Deglane finals), #10 Zahid Valencia (2021 Henri Deglane finals), #14 (92) Vladislav Valiev (2019 Alrosa Cup), Khalil Aminov (2020 79 KG Yarygin), #9 (92) Soslan Ktsoev (2018 Russian nationals), #4 (79) Atsamaz Sanakoev (2020 79 KG Yarygin), Jabrayil Hasanov (2019 Alrosa Cup, 2020 79 KG European championships), #14 Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov (2019 79 KG Yarygin, 2020 79 KG Yarygin). Key Losses: #4 Artur Naifonov (2019 Russian Nationals), #3 Dauren Kurugliev (2020 Russian Nationals), #11 (74) Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (2020 79 KG European championships semifinals), #8(79) Tazhidin Akaev (2019 Kunaev finals), #14 Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov (2019 Yarygin finals)
#13 Arsenali Musalaliev- 2016 Junior world champion 3x Russian nationals bronze medalist (‘17,’19,’20), 2x U-23 European champion (‘18,’19), 2020 Yarygin bronze medalist. Key Wins: #4 Artur Naifonov (2016 Russian Junior nationals), #14 Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov (2020 Russian nationals), #7 Javrail Shapiev (2019 Khizri Shikhsaidov tournament finals), #3 Dauren Kurugliev (2016 Yarygin, 2017 Russian nationals), #1 (92) Alikhan Zhabrailov (2017 Russian nationals bronze medal match), #9 (92) Soslan Ktsoev (2019 Ali Aliev) Key Losses: Azamat Dauletbekov (2019 Intercontinental Cup), #4 Artur Naifonov (2020 Russian nationals semifinals, 2019 Ali Aliev semifinals), #14 (92) Vladislav Valiev (2017 Russian nationals, 2019 Russian nationals), #7 Javrail Shapiev (2019 Ali Aliev bronze medal match),
#14 Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov- 2018 79 KG world bronze medalist, 2018 79 KG European champion 2019 79 KG Yarygin champion, 2017 74 KG Yarygin champion. Key Wins: #5 Magomed Ramazanov (2019 Yarygin finals), #9 (92) Soslan Ktsoev (2020 Russian Nationals), Aniuar Geduev (2012 Russian nationals), #4 (74) Kyle Dake (2018 Yarygin finals), #2 (74) Khetik Tsabolov (2017 74 KG Yarygin), #5 (79) Radik Valiev (2018 Russian Nationals) Key Losses: #5 Magomed Ramazanov (2019 yarygin, 2020 Yarygin finals), #13 Arsenali Musalaliev (2020 Russian nationals), #4 (74) Kyle Dake (2018 79 KG world semis)
#14 (92) Vladislav Valiev- 2017 Yarygin bronze medalist, 2017 National champion, 2017 world bronze medalist, 2017 Alans runner-up, 2018 Russian nationals bronze medalist, 2019 Russian nationals runner-up, 2020 European champion, 2018 Alans champion. Key Wins: #3 Dauren Kurugliev (2015 Russian nationals), Shamil Kudiyamagomedov (2017 Yarygin bronze medal match, 2017 Russian nationals finals), #13 Arsenali Musalaliev (2017 Russian nationals, 2019 Russian nationals), #7 Piotr Ianulov (2020 European championships), Selim Yasar (2017 world championships), Sharif Sharifov (2017 world cup). Key Losses: #5 Magomed Ramazanov (2019 Alrosa Cup), #4 Artur Naifonov (2017 Alans finals, 2018 Dan Kolov, 2019 national finals), #3 Dauren Kurugliev (2018 Russian nationals), #1 David Taylor (2017 World Cup), #11 Fatih Erdin (2018 Yarygin, 2018 Tbilisi GP, 2019 Yarygin).
#8 (79) Tazhidin Akaev- 2018 79 KG Kunaev champion, 2019 Korkin champ, 2019 Kunaev runner-up, 2020 79 KG Russian Nationals 79 KG 5th place, 2018 79 KG University world champion. Key Wins: #5 Magomed Ramazanov (2019 Kunaev), Murad Suleymanov (2019 Ali Aliev), Alan Zaseev (2018 79 KG Russian Nationals), Khalid Yakhiev (2020 Russian Nationals). Key Losses: #1 (79) Akhmed Usmanov (2020 Russian nationals finals), #4 (79) Atsamaz Sanakoev (2018 79 KG Russian nationals quarters), #6 (79) Dmitrii Zainidiinov (2020 Yarygin), Artur Badtiev (2019 Ali Aliev), Gadzhi Nabiev (2020 Russian nationals bronze medal match), #13 (79) Rashid Kurbanov (2019 Ali Aliev bronze medal match)
Bracket Breakdown
Starting from the top half, #4 Artur Naifonov’s biggest test his side of the bracket will be against the winner of the #14 (92) Vladislav Valiev/#5 Magomed Ramazanov quarterfinal, which I favor Ramazanov to take a close, heart pounding match that while watching it will make me severely doubt my pick. If Ramazanov can get past the powerhouse Valiev, that would be his second win over the North Ossetian going back to his victory at the 2019 Alrosa Cup. I pick Naifonov to beat Ramazanov in the semis as he did at 2019 Russian Nationals and move on to face #3 Dauren Kurugliev.
Kurugliev, like Naifonov, won’t face a big test relative to his skill level until the semis where he will have the winner of #13 Arsenali Musalaliev/#14 Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov in a match that was won by Musalaliev on his way to a bronze medal finish. Musalaliev is a far from ideal matchup for Gadzhimagomedov as he is able to clear Gadzhimagomedov’s overunder that he uses for so much of his offense and leave him open for his excellent reattacks and go behinds, and his powerful ankle pick and low single are a deadly weapon against Gadzhimagomedov’s heavy lead leg which has me to believe that Musalaliev will repeat his win from last year’s quarterfinals against Gadzhimagomedov. There is a part of me that holds out that Gadzhimagomedov can make the adjustments and not lose but my head says to go with Musalaliev again.
There’s some other matches to watch outside of the marquee guys, like #8 (79) Tazhidin Akaev vs. #14 (92) Vladislav Valiev in the round of 16, as Akaev was a guy known for his heavy hands, size, and defense at 79 KG and those attributes could give Valiev problems. I’d keep an eye on Khabib Gadzhiev as well who was bronze at the 2019 Ali Aliev and pushed #5 Magomed Ramazanov to the brink last year. Magomedsharif Biyakaev is an absolute bulldog who upset #5 Magomed Ramazanov two years ago at the Intercontinental Cup and also has a bronze medal finish at the Yarygin in 2020 over Zaur Makiev, so he’s one to keep an eye on. Push comes to shove, I would go with #8 (79) Tazhidin Akaev to be a guy with the best upset potential in this bracket.
Predictions
GOLD: #4 Artur Naifonov over #3 Dauren Kurugliev
BRONZE: #5 Magomed Ramazanov over Kamil Dalgatov
BRONZE: #13 Arsenali Musalaliev over Alexander Kondratov
92 KG
Athletes to watch
#3 Magomed Kurbanov- 2018 Russian nationals bronze medalist, 2x Russian nationals runner-up (‘19 & ‘20), 2018 Alans runner-up, 2019 Alans champion, 2019 Yarygin champ, 2019 Ugra Cup champion 2019 Dan Kolov champion. Key Wins: #1 Alikhan Zhabrailov (2019 Ugra Cup, 2019 Yarygin, 2018 Alans), #4 Batyrbek Tsakulov (2019 Yarygin, 2019 Russian nationals semis 2020 Russian nationals semis), #8 Irakli Mtsituri (2019 Dan Kolov), Javad Ebrahimi (2019 Alans finals) Key Losses: #1 Alikhan Zhabrailov (2019 Russian nationals finals, 2020 Russian nationals finals), #11 (97) Sharif Sharifov (2019 European championships), #7 Anzor Urishev (2018 Alans finals), #8 Irakli Mtsituri (2019 European championships bronze medal match)
#4 Batyrbek Tsakulov- 2017 86 KG Alans bronze medalist, 2018 Ali Aliev champion, 2018 Russian nationals champion, 2019 U-23 world runner-up, 2020 Yarygin champion. Key Wins: #7 Anzor Urishev (2018 Russian nationals finals), #5 Aslanbek Alborov (2018 Ali Aliev finals), #3 Magomed Kurbanov (2020 Yarygin). Key Losses: #3 Magomed Kurbanov (2020 Russian nationals semis, 2019 Russian nationals semis), Alireza Karimimachiani (2018 world championships, 2019 Sassari City Tournament), #10 Georgi Rubaev (2020 European Championships), Javad Ebrahimi (2019 Alans), #16 (86) Bo Nickal (2019 U-23 world finals), #11 (97) Sharif Sharifov (2019 Ali Aliev semis)
#7 Anzor Urishev- 2x European champion (‘10,’11), 2018 Tbilisi GP champ, 2018 Russian national runner-up, 12x Russian nationals medalist, 2018 Yarygin runner-up, 2018 Alans champion, 2018 Intercontinental Cup champion, 2019 Ali Aliev bronze medalist Key Wins: #3 Magomed Kurbanov (2018 Alans, 2018 Intercontinental Cup), Javad Ebrahimi (2018 Tbilisi GP finals), #16 (86) Dato Marsagishvili (2018 Tbilisi GP), Alireza Karimimachiani (2018 Tbilisi GP) Key Losses: #1 Alikhan Zhabrailov (2019 Russian Nationals semis, 2020 Russian nationals semis, 2020 Yarygin, 2019 Ali Aliyev semis), #4 Batybrek Tsakulov (2018 Russian nationals finals), #4 (86) Artur Naifonov (2019 Korkin finals)
#9 Soslan Ktsoev- 2010 84 KG world bronze medalist, 2019 86 KG Alans champion, 2021 North Caucasian Federal District Champion. Key Wins: #14 Vladislav Valiev (2019 86 KG Alans), #10 Georgi Rubaev (2019 86 KG Alans finals), #7 (86) Piotr Ianulov (2010 world bronze medal match), #7 Anzor Urishev (2010 Russian nationals finals), #13 Guram Chertkoev (2021 North Caucasian Federal District finals). Key Losses: Zaur Makiev (2020 86 KG Yarygin), #5 (86) Magomed Ramazanov (2019 86 KG Russian Nationals bronze medal match), #4 (86) Artur Naifonov (2019 86 KG Russian nationals), #14 (86) Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov (2020 86 KG Russian Nationals)
Bracket Breakdown
On the top side of the bracket, I go with #7 Anzor Urishev taking over late in the semis against 2x U-23 national champion Azamat Zakuev to make the finals. Urishev has a strong quarterfinal match against 2018 86 KG Russian nationals bronze medalist Zelimkhan Minkailov, but Minkailov doesn’t really have the style to be considered a huge threat for Urishev.
The bottom half of the bracket, #3 Magomed Kurbanov vs. #9 Soslan Ktsoev in the quarters is the best match that side of the bracket, janky sure but still a very good match. I take Kurbanov and then have him winning over #4 Batyrbek Tsakulov who would be coming off a win over 2019 Junior world champion Alan Bagaev in the quarters. I take Kurbanov in a controlled finals match against Urishev.
Predictions
GOLD: #3 Magomed Kurbanov over #7 Anzor Urishev
BRONZE: #4 Batyrbek Tsakulov over #9 Soslan Ktsoev
BRONZE: Azamat Zakuev over Zelimkhan Minkailov