2023 125 KG Russian Nationals Preview

Day four of Russian Nationals goes down on Friday and the weights that compete are 79 KG, 97 KG, and 125 KG. With each weight featuring a bevy of talent including World & Olympic champions, European champions, multiple Russian Nationals medalists and Yarygin champions, this year’s competition will be one to watch. This article will cover the tumultuous 125 KG weight class headlined by returning Russian Nationals champion #1 Alen Khubulov.

Title Contenders

 #1 Alen Khubulov-2018 97 KG Junior European bronze medalist, 2019 125 KG Junior World bronze medalist, 2022 125 KG Yarygin bronze medalist, 2022 125 KG Russian Nationals champion, 2022 125 KG Soslan Andiev Memorial champion. Key Wins: Soslan Khinchagov ( 2022 125 KG Russian Nationals, 2022 125 KG Soslan Andiev Memorial), Baldan Tsyzhipov (2022 125 KG Russian Nationals) Sergey Kozyrev (2022 125 KG Soslan Andiev Memorial), Alan Khugaev (2022 125 KG Russian Nationals, 2022 125 KG Soslan Andiev Memorial), Artem Tskharebov (2022 125 KG Soslan Andiev Memorial), Oleg Boltin (2022 125 KG Yarygin bronze medal match), Gamzat Alizhudinov (2021 125 KG Russian Nationals qualification round) Key Losses: Khasan Khubaev (2022 125 KG All-Russian Spartakiad qualification round), Anzor Khizriev (2022 125 KG Yarygin qualification round), Magomedgadzhi Nurasulov (2019 125 KG Alans qualification match), Baldan Tsyzhipov (2021 125 KG Russian Nationals quarterfinals), Erik Dzhioev (2022 125 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament), Soslan Khinchagov (2021 125 KG U23 Russian Nationals bronze medal match), Saypudin Magomedov (2021 125 KG U23 Russian Nationals).

 #2 Zelimkhan Khizriev- 2021 125 KG Russian Nationals wrestle-off’s winner, 2021 125 KG Ali Aliyev champion, 2023 125 KG Ali Aliyev champion, 2021 125 KG Yarygin champion, 2021 125 KG Senior World Championships 7th, 2021 125 KG Russian Nationals 5th, 2019 125 KG Korkin bronze medalist, 2019 125 KG Russian Nationals bronze medalist, 2019 125 KG Yarygin bronze medalist, 2019 125 KG Dan Kolov 8th place finisher, 2018 125 KG Ali Aliev champion, 2017 125 Kg Ziolkowski runner-up, 2015 120 KG Junior European bronze medalist. Key Wins: Khamzat Khizriev (2021 125 KG Yarygin), Ostap Pasenok (2021 125 KG Yarygin), Youssif Hemida (2019 125 KG Korkin, 2021 125 KG Senior World championships), Khasan Khubaev (2023 125 KG Yarygin, 2019 125 KG Russian Nationals repechage), Atsamaz Tebloev (2019 125 KG Russian Nationals bronze medal match), Abdulla Kurbanov (2023 125 KG Yarygin), Saypudin Magomedov (2021 125 KG Russian Nationals wrestle-off’s), Baldan Tsyzhipov (2021 125 KG Russian Nationals wrestle-off’s), Shamil Sharipov (2021 125 KG Russian Nationals wrestle-off’s), Zhiwei Deng (2019 125 KG Russian Nationals), Nick Gwiazdowski (2019 125 Kg Bundesliga), Alen Khubulov (2021 125 KG Ali Aliev), Yusup Batirmurzaev (2021 125 KG Ali Aliev), Kamil Kosciolek (2021 125 KG Ali Aliev finals), Tamerlan Rasuev (2021 125 KG Russian Nationals), Kazbek Khubulov (2021 125 KG Russian Nationals), Vitali Goloev (2018 125 KG Ali Aliev), Magomedamin Dibirov (2018 125 KG Ali Aliev finals), Pavel Krivstov (2018 125 KG Ali Aliev), Mukhamgazi Magomedov (2017 125 KG Yarygin qualification round), Key Losses: Taha Akgul (2021 125 KG Senior World Championships), Khomeil Ghasemi (2016 125 KG Medved qualification round), Pavel Krivstov (2016 125 KG Yarygin qualification round), Said Gamidov (2015 120 KG Junior European semifinals), Robert Baran (2017 125 KG Intercontinental Cup qualification round), Sergey Kozyrev (2021 125 KG Russian Nationals), Daniel Ligeti (2017 125 KG Ziolkowski finals, 2019 125 KG Korkin), Anzor Khizriev (threw a match at the 2019 Yarygin, they alternate between each other who gets win or loss, forfeit at 2020 Russian Nationals, 2017 125 KG Russian Nationals quarterfinals ), Tsybik Maksarov (2017 125 KG Russian Nationals repechage rd1), Alan Khugaev (2019 125 KG Russian Nationals qualification round), Baldan Tsyzhipov (2017 125 KG Yarygin RD16), Tamerlan Rasuev (2022 125 KG Russian Nationals qualification round),

 Tamerlan Rasuev- 2022 125 KG Yarygin 5th place finisher, 2022 125 KG Russian Nationals runner-up, 2017 97 KG Russian Nationals 5th place finisher, 2019 125 KG Russian Nationals 5th place finisher, 2015 97 KG Intercontinental Cup bronze medalist, 2016 97 Kg Intercontinental Cup bronze medalist, 2018 97 KG Semenov Cup bronze medalist, 2018 97 KG Ali Aliev 5th place finisher, 2019 125 Kg Intercontinental Cup 5th place finisher, 2019 97 KG Kadyrov Cup runner-up, 2020 125 KG Yarygin 5th place finisher. Key Wins: Atsamaz Tebloev (2022 125 KG Yarygin quarterfinals), Zelimkhan Khizriev (2022 125 KG Russian Nationals), Kazbek Khubulov (2022 125 KG Russian Nationals), Eric Dzhioev (2022 125 KG Russian Nationals), Batraz Gazzaev (2020 125 KG Russian Nationals), Khamzat Khizriev (2020 125 KG Russian Nationals), Arsenali Musalaliev (2015 86 KG Russian Nationals repechage rd1), Artem Pukhovski (2022 125 KG Yarygin), Atsamaz Tebloev (2022 125 KG Yarygin), Roman Bakirov (2018 97 KG Semenov Cup bronze medal match), Yerkuambet Inkar (2020 125 KG Yarygin). Key Losses: Vitali Goloev (2022 125 KG Yarygin), Pavel Krivtsov (2020 125 KG Yarygin), Magomedamin Dibirov (2019 125 KG Semenov Cup), Anzor Urishev (2016 86 KG Yarygin RD16), Alikhan Zhabrailov (2019 97 KG Kadyrov Cup finals), Vladislav Baitsaev (2017 97 KG Yarygin), Akhmed Bataev (2016 97 KG Intercontinental Cup), Alan Khugaev (2019 125 KG Intercontinental Cup bronze medal match, 2020 125 KG Yarygin bronze medal match), Batraz Gazzaev (2019 125 KG Intercontinental Cup), Sandro Aminashvili (2016 86 KG Medved), Nurmagomed Gadzhiev (2018 97 KG Semenov Cup), Shamil Sharipov (2020 125 KG Russian Nationals quarterfinals), Said Gamidov (2019 125 KG Russian Nationals semifinals), Igor Ovsyannikov (2018 97 KG Russian Nationals RD16), Asret Shogenov (2016 97 KG Russian Nationals RD16), Shamil Kudiyamagomedov (2015 86 KG Russian Nationals qualification round), Vladislav Valiev (2015 86 KG Russian Nationals repechage rd2), Khasan Khubaev (2022 125 KG Yarygin bronze medal match), Abdulrashid Sadulaev (2017 97 KG Russian Nationals semifinals), Yuri Belonovski (2017 97 Kg Russian Nationals bronze medal match), Zelimkhan Khizriev (2021 125 KG Russian Nationals quarterfinals),

Medal Contenders

 #7 Znaur Kotsiev-2013 100 KG Cadet World Champion, 2016 96 KG Junior World bronze medalist, 2017 97 KG Military World Championships bronze medalist, 2017 97 KG Sargsyan Cup champion, 2019 97 KG Sargsyan Cup champion, 2019 97 KG Semenov Cup runner-up, 2021 97 KG Russian Nationals bronze medalist, 2022 125 KG Semenov Cup 5th place finisher, 2022 125 KG Russian Absolute Cup champion, 2022 125 KG 2nd Ivan Poddubny Tournament runner-up, 2022 97 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament 5th place finisher. Key Wins: Anzor Khizriev (2022 125 KG 2nd Ivan Poddubny Tournament), Khasan Khubaev (2022 125 KG 2nd Ivan Poddubny Tournament, 2022 125 KG Russian Absolute Cup finals), Batraz Gazzaev (2022 Open weight Absolute Cup finals, 2017 97 KG Semenov Cup semifinals), Georgi Gogaev (2017 97 KG Semenov Cup finals), Kollin Moore (2016 96 KG Junior World championships), Asret Shogenov (2019 97 KG Sargsyan Cup finals), Khamzat Khizriev (2021 125 KG Umakhanov Tournament qualification round), Ramazan Shakhbanov (2021 97 KG Russian Nationals), Ali Aliyev (2021 97 KG Russian Nationals), Tazhudin Mukhtarov (2021 97 KG Russian Nationals bronze medal match), Aslanbek Gazzaev (2019 97 KG Semenov Cup), Rasul Magomedov (2019 97 KG Semenov Cup), Alisher Yergali (2019 97 KG Alans qualification round), Valerii Andriitsev (2018 97 KG Tbilisi GP bronze medal match), Key Losses: Hossein Shahbazigazvar (2016 96 KG Junior World championships), Soslan Khinchagov (2022 125 2nd Ivan Poddubny Tournament), Alan Khugaev (2022 125 KG Semenov Cup), Akhmed Tazhudinov (2022 97 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament), Abdulla Kurbanov (2022 97 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament bronze medal match), Vitali Piasniak (2021 125 KG Umakhanov Tournament quarterfinals), Aslanbek Sotiev (2021 97 KG Russian Nationals semifinals), Gennadij Cudinovic (2019 97 KG Semenov Cup finals), Atsamaz Tebloev (2020 125 KG Russian Nationals RD16), Erik Dzhioev (2023 125 KG Yarygin RD16), Kyle Snyder (2019 97 KG Alans), Magomed Ibragimov (2019 97 KG Alans repechage rd 1), Georgi Gogaev (2019 97 KG Russian Nationals quarterfinals), Zaynulla Kurbanov (2016 97 KG Yarygin RD16), Aslanbek Alborov (2019 97 KG Ali Aliyev), Andrey Bestaev (2022 125 KG Semenov Cup bronze medal match), Elizbar Odikadze (2022 97 KG Yarygin, 2018 97 KG Tbilisi GP quarterfinals)

 #9 Khasan Khubaev- 2022 125 KG All-Russian Spartakiad bronze medalist, 2022 125 KG Ali Aliev bronze medalist, 2022 125 KG 2nd Ivan Poddubny Tournament bronze medalist, 2017 125 KG Medved runner-up, 2018 125 KG U23 European runner-up, 2017 125 KG Sargsyan Cup 5th place finisher, 2022 125 KG Yarygin bronze medalist. Key Wins: Alen Khubulov (2022 125 KG All-Russian Spartakiad), Alan Khugaev (2022 125 KG All-Russian Spartakiad), Eric Dzhioev (2022 125 KG Russia Cup), Vitali Goloev (2022 125 KG Russia Cup), Anzor Khizriev (2022 125 KG 2nd Ivan Poddubny Tournament bronze medal match), Oleg Boltin (2017 125 KG Medved), Roman Bakirov (2019 125 KG Semenov Cup), Adlan Ibragimov (2019 125 KG Alans, 2019 125 KG Russian Nationals rd16), Tamerlan Rasuev (2022 125 KG Yarygin bronze medal match), Shamil Sharipov (2019 125 KG Russian Nationals qualification round), Key Losses: Abdulla Kurbanov (2022 125 KG Ali Aliev, 2023 125 KG Ali Aliev), Magomedgadzhi Nurasulov (2018 125 KG Ali Aliev), Batraz Gazzaev (2019 125 KG Alans), Nick Gwiazdowski (2019 125 KG Alans repechage rd1), Zelimkhan Khizriev (2023 125 KG Ali Aliev), Eric Dzhioev (2023 125 KG Yarygin), Aslanbek Alborov (2017 97 KG Ali Aliev), Znaur Kotsiev (2022 125 KG Absolute Championships of Russia, 2022 125 2nd Ivan Poddubny Tournament), Vitali Goloev (2022 125 KG All-Russian Spartakiad semifinals, 2022 125 KG Yarygin), Zelimkhan Khizriev (2020 125 KG Russian Nationals RD16, 2019 125 KG Russian Nationals repechage rd2), Sergey Kozyrev (2021 125 KG Russian Nationals rd16), Rasul Magomedov (2018 97 KG Russian Nationals), Khamzat Khizriev (2022 125 KG Russian Nationals), Umar Kulduev (2017 97 KG Russian Nationals), Yuri Vlasko 92017 97 KG Yarygin qualification round), Oleksandr Khotsianivski (2017 125 KG Medved finals, 2017 125 KG Sargsyan Cup), Levan Berianidze (2017 125 KG Sargsyan Cup), Yuri Belonovski (2016 97 KG Intercontinental Cup repechage rd1), Ahmed Bataev (2016 97 KG Intercontinental Cup qualification round, 2016 97 KG Ali Aliev), Georgy Dzukaev (2016 97 KG Ali Aliev bronze medal match), Nick Matuhin (2019 125 KG Semenov Cup quarterfinals), Alan Khugaev (2019 125 KG Russian Nationals quarterfinals)

Soslan Khinchagov (RUS)- 2022 125 KG 2nd Ivan Poddubny Tournament champion, 2018 125 KG Junior World champion, 2019 125 KG Medved bronze medalist, 2019 125 KG Sargsyan Cup champion, 2017 125 KG Semenov Cup bronze medalist, 2017 125 KG Sargsyan Cup bronze medalist, 2017 125 KG Ali Aliev runner-up, Key Wins: Znaur Kotsiev (2022 125 KG 2nd Ivan Poddubny Finals), Vitali Goloev (2022 125 KG 2nd Ivan Poddubny), Lkhagvagel Munkhtur (208 125 KG Alans), Shamil Akhmedov (2017 125 KG Ali Aliev), Khasanboy Rakhimov (2018 125 KG Junior World semifinals), Aly Barghout (2018 125 KG Junior World finals), Shamil Sharipov (2019 125 KG Medved), Asadulla Ibragimov (2016 125 KG Ali Aliev). Key Losses: Saipudin Magomedov (2022 125 KG Russia Cup), Khasanboy Rakhimov (2019 125 KG Medved semifinals), Zaur Kozonov (2017 125 KG Semenov Cup, 2016 125 KG Ali Aliev quarterfinals), Eric Dzhioev (2022 125 KG Korkin semis), Vitali Goloev (2019 125 KG Sargsyan Cup), Ibragim Saidov (2019 125 KG Ali Aliev), Alen Zasieiev (2017 125 KG Ali Aliev finals), Kazbek Khubulov (2023 125 KG Yarygin quarterfinals), Atsamaz Gazzaev (2016 125 KG Russian Nationals), Khasan Khubaev (2022 125 KG Absolute Championship of Russia), Tamerlan Rasuev (2019 125 KG Russian Nationals) Anzor Khizriev (2020 125 KG Russian Nationals), Alen Khubulov (2022 125 KG Russian Nationals), Alan Khugaev (2022 125 KG Russian Nationals), Zelimkhan Khizriev (2017 125 KG Russian Nationals), Said Gamidov (2018 125 KG Russian Nationals), Tony Nelson (2018 125 KG Alans), Gable Steveson (2015 100+ KG Junior World Championships),

 #6 Anzor Khizriev- 2014 125 KG Yarygin runner-up, 2016 125 KG Russian Nationals bronze medalist, 2017 125 KG Russian Nationals champion, 2018 125 KG Russian Nationals champion, 2020 125 KG Russian Nationals bronze medalist, 2021 125 KG Russian Nationals bronze medalist, 2017 125 KG Senior World 5th place finisher, 2018 125 KG Senior World 5th place finisher, 2022 125 KG Yarygin champion, 2019 125 KG European Games champion, 2019 125 KG European bronze medalist, 2018 125 KG Ziolkowski champion, 2016 125 KG Intercontinental Cup 5th place finisher, 2015 125 KG Intercontinental Cup champion, 2016 125 KG Yarygin bronze medalist Key Wins: Muradin Kushkov (2014 125 KG Yarygin, 2018 125 KG Russian Nationals finals ) Saypudin Magomedov (2020 125 KG Russian Nationals bronze medal match), Kazbek Khubulov (2016 125 KG Yarygin bronze medal match), Aiaal Lazarev (2014 125 KG Yarygin), Taha Akgul (2019 125 KG Yarygin), Zelimkhan Khizriev (2017 125 KG Russian Nationals quarterfinals), Soslan Khinchagov (2020 125 KG Russian Nationals RD16), Zhiwei Deng (2019 125 KG Yarygin, 2018 125 KG Ziolkowski), Daniel Ligeti (2018 125 KG Ziolkowski, 2018 125 KG Senior World Championships), Robert Baran (2018 125 KG Ziolkowski finals), Magomedkhan Magomedov (2021 125 KG Russian Nationals), Said Gamidov (2021 125 KG Russian Nationals, 2018 125 KG Russian Nationals), Oleksandr Khotsianivski (2019 125 KG European Games), Givi Matcharashvili (2019 125 KG European Games finals), Adlan Ibragimov (2018 125 KG Russian Nationals), Tsybik Maksarov (2018 125 KG Russian Nationals), Eric Dzhioev (2021 125 KG Russian Nationals 2nd rd repechage), Magomedgadzhi Nurasulov (2017 125 KG Russian Nationals finals), Zolboo Natsagsuren (2018 125 KG Yarygin), Ibragim Saidov (2015 125 KG Intercontinental Cup), Daulet Shahbanbay (2015 125 KG Intercontinental Cup), Islam Bakhmudkadiev (2015 125 KG Intercontinental Cup), Zach Rey (2015 125 KG Intercontinental Cup finals), Pavel Krivstov (2015 125 KG Yarygin), Alen Khubulov (2022 125 KG Yarygin), Vitali Goloev (2022 125 KG Yarygin finals), Oleg Boltin (2022 125 KG Yarygin), Key Losses: Eric Dzhioev (2021 125 KG Russian Nationals wrestle-off’s, 2022 125 KG All-Russian Spartakiad), Daniel Ligeti (2015 125 KG Ali Aliev), Arslanbek Aliyev (2014 125 KG Russian Nationals repechage rd2), Ali Isaev (2014 125 KG Intercontinental Cup qualification round), Oleksandr Khotsianivski (2015 125 KG Kadyrov Cup), Alen Zaseev (2014 125 KG Intercontinental Cup) Levan Berianidze (2017 125 KG Senior World bronze medal match), Bekan Dukaev (2016 125 KG Russian Nationals), Alan Khugaev (2017 125 KG Yarygin qualification round, 2016 125 KG Yarygin, 2014 125 KG Yarygin finals, 2014 125 KG Russian Nationals quarterfinals), Kazbek Khubulov (2017 125 KG Yarygin repechage rd1), Sergey Kozyrev (2021 125 KG Russian Nationals), Khomeil Ghasemi (2014 125 Kg World Cup), Shamil Sharipov (2020 125 KG Russian Nationals semifinals), Saypudin Magomedov (2022 125 KG Russian Nationals qualification round), Nick Gwiazdowski (2018 125 KG DRL), Muradin Kushkov (2018 125 KG Yarygin, 2015 125 KG Russian Nationals qualification round, 2015 125 KG Yarygin quarterfinals), Alan Dzamapaev (2015 125 KG Yarygin repechage rd1), Geno Petriashvili (2018 125 KG Senior World Championships, 2016 125 KG Medved, 2014 125 KG World Cup, 2017 125 KG Senior World Champinships), Parviz Hadi (2018 125 KG Senior World bronze medal match), Taha Akgul (2019 125 KG European Championships), Giorgi Sakandelidze (2016 125 KG Medved repechage rd1), Znaur Kotsiev (2022 125 KG 2nd Ivan Poddubny Tournament), Khasan Khubaev (2022 125 2nd Ivan Poddubny Tournament bronze medal match)

#8 Abdulla Kurbanov- 2022 97 KG Russian Junior Nationals champion, 2022 125 KG Ali Aliev champion, 2022 97 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament bronze medalist, 2022 125 KG Semenov Cup runner-up, 2021 97 KG U23 Russian Nationals runner-up. Key Wins: Khasan Khubaev (2022 125 KG Ali Aliev), Akhmed Tazhudinov (2022 97 KG Russian Junior Nationals), Aslanbek Gazzaev (2021 97 KG U23 Russian Nationals), Zhorik Dzhioev (2022 97 KG Russian Junior Nationals), Saipudin Magomedov (2022 125 KG Semenov Cup), Tamerlan Kumyshev (2022 125 KG Semenov Cup), Znaur Kotsiev (2022 97 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament bronze medal match). Key Losses: Alan Khugaev (2022 125 KG Semenov Cup finals), Khokh Khugaev (2022 97 KG Russian Nationals qualification round), Akhmed Tazhudinov (2022 125 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny semis), Shamil Imam Gadzhialiev (2021 97 KG U23 Russian Nationals finals), Zelimkhan Khizriev (2021 125 KG Umakhanov Tournament semifinals), Dzianis Khramiankov (2021 125 KG Umakhanov Tournament bronze medal match).

Dark Horses

 Atsamaz Tebloev- 2021 125 KG Russian Nationals runner-up, 2019 125 KG Russian Nationals 5th place finisher, 2020 125 KG Russian Nationals 5th place finisher, 2023 125 KG Degi Bagaev Memorial champion, 2021 125 KG U23 European Championships runner-up, 2022 125 KG Yasar Dogu 5th place finisher, 2019 125 KG Semenov Cup bronze medalist. Key Wins: Baldan Tsyzhipov (2019 125 KG Russian Nationals, 2021 125 KG Russian Nationals), Ostap Pasenok (2021 125 KG Russian Nationals), Saipudin Magomedov (2021 125 KG Russian Nationals), Khamzat Khizriev (2021 125 KG Russian Nationals), Said Gamidov (2020 125 KG Russian Nationals), Magomedgadzhi Nurasulov (2019 125 KG Russian Nationals), Znaur Kotsiev (2020 125 KG Russian Nationals), Nick Gwiazdowski (2022 125 KG Yasar Dogu),Vitali Goloev (2022 125 KG Yasar Dogu), Pavel Krivstov (2019 125 KG Alans), Anzor Boltukaev (2020 125 KG Yarygin qualification round). Key Losses: Vitali Goloev (2020 125 KG Russian Nationals bronze medal match), Alan Khugaev (2020 125 KG Russian Nationals semifinals, 2019 125 KG Russian Nationals semifinals), Sergey Kozyrev (2021 125 KG Russian Nationals), Zelimkhan Khizriev (2019 125 KG Russian Nationals bronze medal match), Magomedamin Dibirov (2019 125 KG Semenov Cup semifinals), Lkhagvagerel Munkhtur (2022 125 KG Yasar Dogu semifinals), Yusup Batirmurzaev (2022 125 KG Yasar Dogu bronze medal match), Anil Killicsallyan (2021 125 KG U23 European Championships finals), Amir Zare (2019 125 KG Alans forfeit), Mukhamgazi Magomedov (2018 125 KG Alans), Magomedgadzhi Nurasulov (2020 125 KG Yarygin), Tamerlan Rasuev (2022 125 KG Yarygin)

 Shamil Sharipov- 2020 125 KG Russian Nationals runner-up, 2019 125 KG Intercontinental Cup bronze medalist, 2020 125 KG Individual World Cup champion, 2021 125 KG European OG Qualifier bronze medalist, 2019 125 KG Alans 5th place finisher Key Wins: Anzor Khizriev (2020 125 KG Russian Nationals), Saipudin Magomedov (2020 125 KG Russian Nationals), Anzor Boltukaev (2019 125 KG Alans), Dzianis Khramiankov (2020 125 KG Individual World Cup semifinals), Oleksandr Khotsianivski (2020 125 KG Individual World Cup quarterfinals), Robert Baran (2020 125 KG Individual World Cup finals) Magomedamin Dibirov (2019 125 KG Intercontinental Cup bronze medal match) Key Losses: Dzianis Khramiankov (2020 125 KG European Olympic Games Qualifier), Alan Khugaev (2020 125 Kg Russian Nationals finals), Baldan Tsyzhipov (2019 125 KG Alans), Magomedgadzhi Nurasulov (2019 125 KG Alans bronze medal match, 2019 125 KG Intercontinental Cup bronze medal match).

 Pavel Krivtsov- 2019 125 KG Russian Nationals bronze medalist, 2019 125 KG Ali Aliev runner-up, 2020 125 KG Yarygin runner-up, 2012 125 KG Korkin bronze medalist, 2014 125 KG Miner’s Fame bronze medalist, 2014 125 KG Bill Farrell Memorial bronze medalist, 2015 125 KG Dave Schultz Memorial Invitational champion, 2014 125 KG Junior World rep, 2015 125 KG Junior World 5th, 2018 125 KG Alans 5th place finisher, 2018 125 KG Intercontinental Cup runner-up, 2018 125 KG Ali Aliev bronze medalist, 2016 125 KG Korkin runner-up, 2019 125 KG City of Sassari Tournament champion, 2019 125 KG Korkin runner-up, 2012 96 KG Korkin bronze medalist, 2014 125 KG Miner’s Fame Tournament bronze medalist Key Wins: Alan Khugaev (2019 125 KG Ali Aliev semifinals, 2020 125 KG Yarygin semifinals), Daniel Ligeti (2019 125 KG City of Sassari Tournament finals), Tamerlan Rasuev (2020 125 KG Yarygin quarterfinals), Baldan Tsyzhipov (2018 125 KG Russian Nationals), Dom Bradley (2015 125 KG Dave Schultz Memorial Invitational finals), Ostap Pasenok (2019 125 KG Russian Nationals), Zolboo Natsagsuren (2019 125 KG Ali Aliev, 2019 125 KG Korkin), Zelimkhan Khizriev (2019 125 KG Korkin, 2016 125 KG Yarygin), Vitali Goloev (2018 125 KG Ali Aliev bronze medal match) Key Losses: Vladislav Baitsaev (2019 125 KG Ali Aliev finals), Muradin Kushkov (2015 125 KG Yarygin), Alan Dzampaev (2015 125 KG Yarygin repechage rd2), Amin Taheri (2015 125 KG Junior World’s, 2014 125 KG Junior World’s), Zelimkhan Khizriev (2018 125 KG Ali Aliev), Baldan Tsyzhipov (2016 125 KG Korkin finals, 2016 125 KG Yarygin repechage), Daniel Ligeti (2019 125 KG Korkin finals), Giorgi Sakandelidze (2016 125 KG Medved), Yunus Emre Dede (2015 125 KG Junior World bronze medal match), Magomedgadzhi Nurasulov (2018 125 KG Russian Nationals bronze medal match), Mukhamgazi Magomedov (2020 125 KG Russian Nationals qualification round), Eduard Bazrov (2016 125 KG Russian Nationals), Said Gamidov (2019 125 KG Russian Nationals quarterfinals), Atsamaz Tebloev (2019 125 KG Alans), Khasan Khubaev (2021 125 KG Russian Nationals qualification round), Eric Dzhioev (2022 125 KG Russian Nationals rd16), Vladislav Baitsaev (2016 125 KG Yarygin quarterfinals)

#4 Ostap Pasenok-2023 125 KG Yarygin runner-up, 2021 125 KG Yarygin bronze medalist, 2017 125 KG Korkin bronze medalist, 2017 125 KG President Cup of Buryatia bronze medalist, 2016 125 KG Russian Nationals 5th place finisher, 2014 125 KG Miner’s Fame Tournament bronze medalist, 2013 120 KG Maccabi Games champion, 2013 120 KG Medved 5th place finisher, 2009 120 KG Maccabi Games Freestyle and Greco champion, 2013 125 KG Russian Nationals 5th place finisher, 2014 Russian Nationals 5th place finisher, Key Wins: Eric Dzhioev (2023 125 KG Yarygin semifinals, 2019 125 KG Korkin repechage), Artem Pukhovsky (2023 125 KG Yarygin), Baldan Tsyzhipov (2014 125 KG Russian Nationals), Sergey Kozyrev (2019 125 KG Russian Nationals qualification round), Azamat Khoshonov (2021 125 KG Yarygin bronze medal match). Key Losses: Lkhagvagerel Munkhtur (2020 125 KG Yarygin qualification round), Alan Khugaev (2015 125 KG Yarygin, 2022 125 KG Russian Nationals), Dzianis Khramiankov (2023 125 KG Yarygin finals), Eduard Bazrov (2013 125 KG Russian Nationals), Anatoly Malykhin (2013 125 KG Russian Nationals bronze medal match), Muradin Kushkov (2014 125 KG Russian Nationals), Khizir Dugaev (2014 125 KG Russian Nationals bronze medal match), Atsamaz Tebloev (2021 125 KG Russian Nationals), Saipudin Magomedov (2021 125 KG Russian Nationals repechage rd2), Asadulla Ibragimov (2017 125 KG Yarygin, 2015 125 KG Russian Nationals), Said Gamidov (2019 125 KG Russian Nationals), Pavel Krivtsov (2018 125 KG Russian Nationals), Zelimkhan Khizriev (2021 125 KG Yarygin semifinals), Baldan Tsyzhipov (2019 125 Kg Korkin bronze medal match), Daniel Ligeti (2019 125 KG Korkin)

Artem Pukhovski- 2022 125 KG Soslan Andiev Memorial bronze medalist. Key Wins: Eric Dzhioev (2022 125 KG Soslan Andiev Memorial bronze medal match), Kazbek Khubulov (2022 125 KG Yarygin), Key Losses: Alan Khugaev (2022 125 KG Soslan Andiev Memorial), Ostap Pasenok (2023 125 KG Yarygin), Saipudin Magomedov (2022 125 KG Yarygin qualification round, 2022 125 KG Russian Nationals), Tamerlan Rasuev (2022 125 KG Yarygin, 2021 125 KG Russian Nationals), Vitali Goloev (2020 125 KG Russian Nationals qualification round)

The Breakdown

 On the top bracket, 2021 Senior World representative #2 Zelimkhan Khizriev faces #7 Znaur Kotsiev in his opening round match that I see Khizriev winning. In the round of 16, Khizriev faces 2020 Yarygin runner-up Pavel Krivtsov, which I again see Khizriev walking away with a win in. The real test for Khizriev will be in the quarterfinals when he takes on 2020 Russian Nationals runner-up Shamil Sharipov. Sharipov, who burst onto the scene with his runner-up finish at Russian Nationals and a title at the Individual World Cup, is making his return to competition in over a year and is an unknown commodity against the new field of Russian heavyweights. Sharipov’s first elite test will be against #10 Artem Pukhovsky in the round of 16 that I see going Sharipov’s way. I believe the dynamism of Zelimkhan Khizriev’s style will stifle Sharipov and Khizriev will make the semifinals.

 One of the most interesting matches to keep an eye on takes place in the round of 16 on the other half of the top bracket between returning national champion #1 Alen Khubulov and #8 Abdulla Kurbanov. Kurbanov has been on an upwards trend and won the Ali Aliev last year but I feel that Khubulov is too big and strong for him with a similar skillset to Kurbanov and will beat the talented young Russian, but if anyone is keen for a breakthrough it would be Abdulla Kurbanov. #1 Alen Khubulov should win his quarterfinal match against Artem Tskharebov to set up a semifinal match against #2 Zelimkhan Khizriev. Khizriev is an incredibly dangerous wrestler with an array of throws at his disposal and wins over the Khubulov from the 2021 Ali Aliev, but I feel Khubulov’s positioning will be enough to get him past Khizriev into his second Russian Nationals finals.

 On the bottom bracket, returning national runner-up Tamerlan Rasuev has a clear path to the semifinal, with his toughest match coming in the quarterfinals against #4 Ostap Pasenok. Who will face Rasuev is not so clear, as the path to the top quarterfinal on the bottom bracket is a murderer’s row of talent. In the round of 32, I have 2021 Russian Nationals runner-up Atsamaz Tebloev making a deep run into the semifinals with wins over #9 Khasan Khubaev, Said Gairbekov, and #6 Anzor Khizriev. In the semifinals, I think his momentum will be stopped by Tamerlan Rasuev.

2023 125 KG Russian Nationals Predictions

GOLD: #1 Alen Khubulov over Tamerlan Rasuev

BRONZE: Atsamaz Tebloev over #4 Ostap Pasenok

BRONZE: #2 Zelimkhan Khizriev over #8 Abdulla Kurbanov