2023 86 KG Senior World Championships Preview

Title Contenders

#1 David Taylor (USA)- 2020 86 KG Olympic champion, 2018 86 KG world champion, 2021 86 KG Senior world runner-up, 2022 86 KG Senior world champion. Key Wins: #2 Hassan Yazdani Charati (2018 86 KG Senior World Championships, 2017 86 KG World Cup 2020 86 KG Olympic Finals, 2022 Senior World finals), #3 Artur Naifonov (2018 86 KG Yarygin), #6 Myles Amine (2020 86 KG Olympics). Key Losses: #2 Hassan Yazdani Charati (2021 86 KG Senior World Finals), #6 (97) J’den Cox (2017 86 KG U.S. World Team Trials), #1 (74) Kyle Dake (2013 74 KG World Team Trials, 2015 74 KG World Team Trials, 2016 86 KG Olympic Trials), #6 (79) Jordan Burroughs (2013 74 KG U.S. Open, 2014 74 KG U.S. Open, 2014 U.S. World Team Trials). 

#2 Hassan Yazdani Charati (IRI)- 2017, 2019, 2021 86 KG world champion, 2016 74 KG Olympic champion, 2020 86 KG Olympic runner-up, 2022 86 KG Senior World runner-up. Key Wins: #3 Artur Naifonov (2020 86 KG Olympics), #1 David Taylor (2021 86 KG Senior World finals), #6 Myles Amine (2019 86 KG Senior World Championships finals), Sharif Sharifov (2017 86 KG Islamic Solidarity Games), #10 Abubakar Abakarov (2023 86 KG Zagreb Open), #13 Hayato Ishiguro (2023 86 KG Zagreb Open). Key Losses: #1 David Taylor (2017 86 KG World Cup, 2018 86 KG Senior World Championships, 2020 86 KG Olympic Games, 2022 86 KG Senior World Championships), Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov (2015 70 KG Senior World Finals), Khetag Tsabolov (2016 74 KG Medved finals)

Medal Contenders

#4 Arslan Bagaev (AIN)- 2023 86 KG Yarygin champion, 2023 86 Russian Nationals champion, 2021 86 KG Junior European Champion, 2019 80 KG Cadet world runner-up. Key Wins: #5 Amanulla Gadzhimagomedov (2023 86 KG Russian National Finals), #8 Magomed Ramazanov (2023 86 KG PWl-5), #18 Arsenali Musalaliev (2023 86 KG Yarygin), Omar Ziyautdinov (2023 86 KG Yarygin), Ruslan Chertkoev (2023 86 KG Yarygin finals), Rakhim Magamadov (2021 86 KG Junior European Championships). Key Losses: #11 Azamat Dauletbekov (2023 86 KG PWL-4), #11 (92) Amirhossein Firouzpour (2019 80 KG Cadet World finals). 

#6 Myles Amine (SMR)- 2020 86 KG Olympic Bronze medalist, 2022 86 KG European champion, 2023 86 KG Budapest Ranking Series Tournament champion, 2019 86 KG Senior World Championships 5th place finisher. Key Wins: #9 Osman Gocen (2022 86 KG European Championships), Ali Shabanov (2019 86 KG European Championships, 2020 86 KG Olympics), #7 Dauren Kurugliev (2023 86 KG Budapest Ranking Series Tournament), Yurieski Torreblanca (2019 86 KG World Championships), Deepak Punia (2020 86 KG Olympic bronze medal match). Key Losses: #2 Hassan Yazdani Charati (2019 86 KG Senior World Championships), #3 (92) Zahid Valencia (2023 86 KG Zagreb Open), #13 Hayato Ishiguro (2023 86 KG Zagreb Open), #11 Azamat Dauletbekov (2022 86 KG Senior World Championships), #1 David Taylor (2020 86 KG Olympics), #3 Artur Naifonov (2020 86 KG European Championships finals, 2021 86 KG European Championships, 2019 86 KG Senior World bronze medal match). 

#9 Osman Gocen (TUR)- 2023 86 KG Budapest Ranking Series Tournament bronze medalist, 2023 86 KG Yasar Dogu bronze medalist, 2022 86 KG Zouhair Sghaier runner-up, 2022 86 KG European bronze medalist, 2021 86 KG European Olympic Games Qualifier, 2022 86 KG Yasar Dogu champion. Key Wins: #10 Abubakar Abakarov (2023 86 KG Budapest Ranking Series Tournament quarterfinals, 2021 86 KG European Olympic Qualifier), Fatih Erdin (2022 86 KG Yasar Dogu), Boris Makoev (2021 86 KG European Olympic Qualifier). Key Losses: #11 Azamat Dauletbekov (2022 86 KG Zouhaier Sghaier Tournament finals), #6 Myles Amine (2023 86 KG Budapest Ranking Series Tournament semifinals), Ali Shabanov (2021 86 KG European Olympic Qualifier).

#10 Abubakar Abakarov (AZE)- 2021 86 KG Senior world bronze medalist, 2023 86 KG Bishkek Ranking Series Tournament runner-up, 2022 86 KG European runner-up, 2019 79 KG Junior World bronze medalist, 2019 79 KG U23 World runner-up. Key Wins: #11 Azamat Dauletbekov (2023 86 KG Bishkek Ranking Series Tournament), Boris Makoev (2021 86 KG Senior World bronze medal match), #14 Aaron Brooks (2019 79 KG Junior World championships), #8 (79) Radik Valiev (2019 79 KG U23 World Championships), Tarzan Maisuradze (2022 86 KG Matteo Pellicone Tournament). Key Losses: Tarzan Maisuradze (2022 86 KG Senior World Championships), #1 David Taylor (2021 86 KG Senior World Championships), #9 Osman Gocen (2023 86 KG Budapest Ranking Series Tournament).

#11 Azamat Dauletbekov (KAZ)- 2023 86 KG Asian Champion, 2022 86 KG Senior World bronze medalist, 2017 86 KG U23 World runner-up, 2021 86 KG Senior World’s 5th place finisher, 2023 86 KG Bishkek Ranking Series Tournament bronze medalist. Key Wins: #6 Myles Amine (2022 86 KG Senior World championships), #12 Alireza Karimimachiani (2023 86 KG Asian Championships finals), Yurieski Torreblanca (2022 86 KG Senior World Championships), Arsenali Musalaliev (2019 86 KG Intercontinental Cup), #4 Arslan Bagaev (2023 86 KG PWL-4). Key Losses: #10 Abubakar Abakarov (2023 86 KG Bishkek Ranking Series Tournament), #3 Artur Naifonov (2021 86 KG Senior World Championships), #2 Hassan Yazdani Charati (2021 86 KG Senior World Championships), #1 David Taylor (2022 86 KG Senior World Championships semifinals), #3 (97) Alikhan Zhabrailov (2017 86 KG U23 World Finals).

#13 Hayato Ishiguro (JPN)- 2023 86 KG Zagreb Open runner-up, 2023 86 KG Asian Championships bronze medalist, 2019 86 KG U23 World bronze medalist, 2018 79 KG Junior World champion. Key Wins: #6 Myles Amine (2023 86 KG Zagreb Open), #3 (92) Zahid Valencia (2023 86 KG Zagreb Open), #14 Aaron Brooks (2018 79 KG Junior World Championships). Key Losses: #2 Hassan Yazdani Charati (2023 86 KG Zagreb Open), Gadzhimurad Magomedsaidov (2019 86 KG U23 World Championships), #12 Alireza Karimimachiani (2023 86 KG Asian Championships semifinals).

Dark Horses

Magomed Sharipov (BRN)- 2022 92 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament runner-up, 2022 92 KG Russian Nationals bronze medalist, 2023 86 KG Bishkek Ranking Series Tournament champion, 2023 92 KG Asian Championships bronze medalist Key Wins: Guram Chertkoev (2022 92 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament), #14 Tazhudin Mukhtarov (2022 92 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament), Javrail Shapiev (2023 86 KG Bishkek Ranking Series Tournament), Tariel Gaphrindashvili (2023 86 KG Bishkek Ranking Series Tournament). Key Losses: #2 Magomed Kurbanov (2022 92 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament, 2023 92 KG Russian Nationals), Rizabek Aitmukhan (2023 92 KG Asian Championships, 2023 92 KG Ibrahim Moustafa Ranking Series Tournament).

Javrail Shapiev (UZB)- 2021 86 KG Olympics 5th place finisher, 2021 86 KG Ali Aliev champion, 2023 86 KG Bishkek Ranking Series Tournament bronze medalist, 2021 86 KG Asian Olympic Qualifier champion, 2021 86 KG International Ukrainian Tournament bronze medalist Key Wins: #11 Azamat Dauletbekov (2021 86 KG Asian Olympic Qualifier), #1 (92) Vladislav Valiev (2021 86 KG Ali Aliev), Magomedsharif Biyakaev (2021 86 KG Ali Aliev finals), Fatih Erdin (2021 86 KG International Ukrainian Tournament), Piotr Ianulov (2021 86 KG International Ukrainian Tournament), Tazhidin Akaev (2021 86 KG Ali Aliev), #9 Osman Gocen (2021 86 KG International Ukrainian Tournament quarterfinals), Boris Makoev (2021 86 KG International Ukrainian Tournament bronze medal match). Key Losses: #3 Artur Naifonov (2020 86 KG Olympic bronze medal match), #2 Hassan Yazdani Charati (2020 86 KG Olympics), Sebastian Jezierzanski (2021 86 KG International Ukrainian Tournament), Magomed Sharipov (2023 86 KG Bishkek Ranking Series Tournament)

Rakhim Magamadov (FRA)- 2022 86 KG Junior World champion, 2023 86 KG Junior world champion, 2023 86 Kg Budapest Ranking Series bronze medalist. Key Wins: Fatih Erdin (2023 86 KG Budapest Ranking Series Tournament), Bennet Berge (2022 86 KG Junior World’s, 2023 86 KG Junior World’s), Gwanuk Kim (2023 86 KG Budapest Ranking Series Tournament). Key Losses: Ethan Ramos (2022 86 KG Senior World Championships), Maksat Satybaldy (2022 86 KG U23 World Championships), #11 (92) Amirhossein Firouzpour (2021 86 KG Junior World Championships).

Yurieski Torreblanca (CUB)- 2023 86 KG Pan-Am Champion, 2018 86 KG Yarygin 5th place finisher, 2018 86 KG Cerra Pellado champion. Key Wins: Mark Hall (2023 86 KG Pan-Am Championships), Selim Yasar (2018 86 KG Yarygin), Akhmed Dudarov (2018 86 KG Cerra Pellado). Key Losses: #11 Azamat Dauletbekov (2022 86 KG Senior World Championships), #1 David Taylor (2018 86 KG Senior World Championships), #2 Hassan Yazdani Charati (2018 86 KG Senior World Championships), #6 Myles Amine (2019 86 KG Senior World Championships).

Action Fighter/Wrestler to Watch

Tariel Gaphrindashvili (GEO)- 2019 79 KG U23 World Champion, 2023 86 KG Ibrahim Moustafa Ranking Series Tournament bronze medalist, 2023 86 KG Bishkek Ranking Series Tournament 5th place finisher, 2023 86 KG Budapest Ranking Series Tournament 5th place finisher. Key Wins: #10 Abubakar Abakarov (2019 79 KG U23 World Championships), Deepak Punia (2023 86 KG Bishkek Ranking Series Tournament), Boris Makoev (2023 86 KG Ibrahim Moustafa Ranking Series Tournament bronze medal match). Key Losses: #7 Dauren Kurugliev (2023 86 KG Budapest Ranking Series Tournament), #10 Abubakar Abakarov (2023 86 KG Zagreb Open qualification round), Rakhim Magamadov (2023 86 KG Budapest Ranking Series Tournament), Vasyl Mykhailov (2023 86 KG Ibrahim Moustafa Ranking Series Tournament), Magomed Sharipov (2023 86 KG Bishkek Ranking Series Tournament), Javrail Shapiev (2023 86 KG Bishkek Ranking Series Tournament bronze medal match).

Rakhim Magamadov (FRA)- 2022 86 KG Junior World champion, 2023 86 KG Junior world champion, 2023 86 Kg Budapest Ranking Series bronze medalist. Key Wins: Fatih Erdin (2023 86 KG Budapest Ranking Series Tournament), Bennet Berge (2022 86 KG Junior World’s, 2023 86 KG Junior World’s), Gwanuk Kim (2023 86 KG Budapest Ranking Series Tournament). Key Losses: Ethan Ramos (2022 86 KG Senior World Championships), Maksat Satybaldy (2022 86 KG U23 World Championships), #11 (92) Amirhossein Firouzpour (2021 86 KG Junior World Championships).

The Breakdown

While the fight for gold at 86 kilograms is a two man race between Olympic champions #1 David Taylor (USA) and #2 Hassan Yazdani (IRI), the weight has a great mix of young and old talent fighting tooth and nail to medal that provides a great amount of compelling storylines to follow. The first athlete to cover is #4 Arslan Bagaev (AIN), who won gold at Russian Nationals in dominant fashion over #5 Amanulla Gadzhimagomedov (RUS) after Gadzhimagomedov had upset 2020 Olympic bronze medalist #3 Artur Naifonov (RUS). Bagaev is a very strong wrestler for the weight with great fundamentals punctuated by a strong double leg and excellent finishing, I would be most excited to see him in a similar style matchup against someone like #6 Myles Amine (SMR). 

2021 Senior World bronze medalist #10 Abubakar Abakarov (AZE) made a strong return on the scene with a runner-up finish at the Bishkek Ranking Series Tournament where he upset Asian Champion #11 Azamat Dauletbekov (KAZ) but followed it with a disappointing 10th place finish at the Budapest Ranking Series Tournament after a quarterfinal loss to #9 Osman Gocen (TUR). Between the trio of Gocen, Abakarov, and Dauletbekov, I take Dauletbekov for the best chance of medaling again, plus Dauletbekov has a win this year over #4 Arslan Bagaev (AIN) at the PWL. Keep an eye out for #13 Hayato Ishiguro (JPN), who took silver at the Zagreb Open to #2 Hassan Yazdani Charati (IRI), and notched upset wins over #6 Myles Amine (SMR) and #3 (92) Zahid Valencia (USA) in Zagreb. Ishiguro’s is very much a danger to put away elite competition early in matches and has a lethal par-terre game that can end matches quickly.

In the dark horse tier, there is a strong quartet of wrestlers all at different stages of their career, with two of them being young (Magomed Sharipov and Rakhim Magamadov) and two being veterans (Javrail Shapiev and Yurieski Torreblanca). Sharipov was a Russian Nationals bronze medalist in 2022 at 92 and took gold at the Bishkek Ranking Series Tournament where he upset 2020 Olympic 5th place finisher Javrail Shapiev (UZB). Javrail Shapiev (UZB) has the deepest resume of the dark horses, with an Ali Aliyev title and Asian Olympic Qualifier gold and victories over #1 (92) Vladislav Valiev (RUS), Fatih Erdin (TUR), and Magomedsharif Biyakaev (RUS) to his name but struggles opening in big matches against elite competition. Shapiev’s talent ceiling is incredibly high but it is yet to be seen internationally if he can reach that against the top tier of competition.

Rakhim Magamadov of France is coming off his second straight Junior world title and boasts a highly athletic, explosive style with a great front headlock series and explosive double leg, and notched a victory over 2018 Senior World runner-up Fatih Erdin (TUR) on his way to a bronze medal finish at the Budapest Ranking Series Tournament. Magamadov looks explosive and peaked for world’s and I am interested to see how he’s grown with another year of Senior level experience. 

Yurieski Torreblanca (CUB) dismantled the field this year at the Pan-Am Championships with an excellent over collar tie throwby and explosive throws, but his lack of offense outside of his over collar tie throwby counter makes me hesitant to go all in on him for a deep world championships run, but he is definitely capable of beating higher ranked competition early in the tournament.

Tariel Gaphrindashvili (GEO) doesn’t quite have the elite size or physicality of the upper tier of 86 kilogram wrestlers, but he is an absolute technician with upper body counters and is always looking for the throw and the fall, and is a must watch wrestler. 

Predictions

GOLD: #1 David Taylor over #2 Hassan Yazdani Charati

BRONZE: #4 Arslan Bagaev 

BRONZE: #11 Azamat Dauletbekov