2023 92 KG Russian Nationals Preview

Day three of Russian Nationals goes down tomorrow and the weights that compete are 86 KG and 92 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 92 kilogram weight class headlined by Yarygin champion #1 Alan Bagaev, 2022 Umakhanov Tournament champion #2 Ashkab Saadulaev, returning bronze medalist #3 Vladislav Valiev, and returning national runner-up #4 Azamat Zakuev.

Title Contenders

#1 Alan Bagaev-2022 92 KG Yarygin bronze medalist, 2021 92 KG Umakhanov Tournament champion, 2023 92 KG Yarygin champion, 2019 92 KG Junior World champion, 2022 92 KG 2nd Ivan Poddubny Tournament runner-up, 2022 92 KG All-Russian Spartakiad bronze medalist, 2017 85 KG Cadet World champion, 2022 92 KG Soslan Andiev Memorial bronze medalist, 2021 92 KG Ali Aliyev 5th place finisher. Key Wins: Vladislav Valiev (2023 92 KG Yarygin finals), Soslan Ktsoev (2021 92 KG Umakhanov Tournament), Ashkab Saadulaev (2023 92 KG Yarygin, 2022 92 KG U23 Russian Nationals ), Azamat Zakuev (2021 92 KG Umakhanov Tournament finals), Guram Chertkoev (2021 92 KG Ali Aliev repechage, 2018 92 KG Semenov Cup quarterfinals), Muslim Dadaev (2018 92 KG Semenov Cup semifinals), Lucas Davison (2019 92 KG Junior World finals), Ramazan Shakhbanov (2021 92 KG Ali Aliev), Khamzat Anzorov (2023 92 KG Yarygin) Key Losses: Magomedmurad Baibekov (2020 92 KG Yarygin qualification round), Akhmed Bataev (2019 92 KG Alans qualification round), Guram Chertkoev (2021 92 KG Russian Nationals qualification round, 2022 92 KG All-Russian Spartakiad quarterfinals), Dauren Kurugliev (2022 92 KG 2nd Ivan Poddubny Finals), Ashkab Saadulaev (2022 92 KG Russia Cup), Shamil Imam Gadzhialiev (2022 92 KG Soslan Andiev Memorial), Tamerlan Tapsiev (2022 92 KG Yarygin semifinals, 2022 92 KG Russian Nationals qualification round), Azamat Zakuev (2018 92 KG Semenov Cup finals), Zbigniew Baranowski (2021 92 KG Ali Aliev), Alik Shebzukhov (2021 92 KG Ali Aliev).

#2 Vladislav Valiev- 2017 86 KG Senior World bronze medalist, 2019 86 KG Russian Nationals runner-up, 2022 92 KG Russian Nationals bronze medalist, 2022 86 KG 2nd Ivan Poddubny Tournament runner-up, 2016 86 KG Russian Nationals bronze medalist, 2018 86 KG Russian Nationals bronze medalist, 2018 86 KG Alans champion, 2017 86 KG Alans runner-up, 2015 86 KG Russian Nationals 5th place finisher, 2022 86 KG Semenov Cup bronze medalist, 2022 86 KG Soslan Andiev Memorial 5th place finisher, 2018 86 KG Tbilisi GP bronze medalist, 2019 86 KG Yarygin bronze medalist, 2021 92 KG Military World Champion, 2021 86 KG Ali Aliev bronze medalist, 2019 86 KG Alans bronze medalist, 2021 86 KG Yarygin bronze medalist, 2013 84 KG Junior World Champion, 2016 86 KG Korkin champion, 2016 86 KG Sargsyan Cup bronze medalist, 2016 86 KG Yarygin bronze medalist, 2017 86 KG Yarygin bronze medalist, 2018 86 KG Yarygin bronze medalist, 2015 86 KG Sargsyan bronze medalist, 2015 86 KG Kadyrov Cup bronze medalist, 2021 86 KG Yarygin bronze medalist. Key Wins: Artur Naifonov (2022 86 KG Korkin), Malik Shavaev (2022 86 KG Korkin), Gwan Uk Kim (2017 86 KG Senior World Championships), Osman Nurmagomedov (2019 86 KG Russian Nationals RD16), Selim Yasar (2017 86 KG Senior World championships), Murad Suleymanov (2019 86 KG Senior World championships), Ali Shabanov (2019 86 KG Senior World championships), Shamil Kudiyamagomedov (2017 86 KG Russian Nationals), Tazhidin Akaev (2021 86 KG Russian Nationals), Zaur Makiev (2021 86 KG Yarygin), Khabib Gadzhiev (2021 86 KG Yarygin), Magomed Kurbanov (2017 86 KG Russian Nationals), Arsenali Musalaliev (2017 86 KG Russian Nationals, 2018 86 KG Russian Nationals, 2018 86 KG Russian Nationals, 2019 86 KG Russian Nationals), Dauren Kurugliev (2015 86 KG Russian Nationals), Magomedsharif Biyakaev (2018 86 KG Alans), Soslan Ktsoev (2018 86 KG Alans), Gadzhi Radzhabov (2015 86 KG Russian Nationals), Shamil Imam Gadzhialiev (2023 92 KG Yarygin), Azamat Zakuev (2023 92 KG Yarygin), Amanulla Rasulov (2021 86 KG Ali Aliyev), Guram Chertkoev (2022 92 KG Russian Nationals bronze medal match), Myles Amine (2019 86 KG European Championships), Sharif Sharifov (2017 86 KG World Cup), Key Losses: Artur Naifonov (2017 86 KG Alans finals, 2018 86 KG Dan Kolov, 2019 86 KG Russian Nationals finals, 2022 86 KG second Ivan Poddubny finals), Anzor Urishev (2016 86 KG Russian Nationals), Dauren Kurugliev (2018 86 KG Russian Nationals), Javad Ebrahimi (2017 86 KG Yarygin), Hassan Yazdani Charati (2017 86 KG World championships), Magomedsharif Biyakaev (2021 86 KG Ali Aliyev, 2021 86 KG Yarygin), Guram Chertkoev (2022 92 KG Soslan Andiev Memorial), Soslan Ktsoev (2014 86 KG Russian Nationals, 2015 86 KG Russian Nationals 2019 86 KG Alans), Magomed Ramazanov (2021 86 KG Russian Nationals quarterfinals), Azamat Zakuev (2022 92 KG Russian Nationals semifinals), David Taylor (2017 86 KG World Cup), Fatih Erdin (2018 86 KG Yarygin, 2018 86 KG Tbilisi GP), Alan Bagaev (2023 92 KG Yarygin finals), Shamil Kudiyamagomedov (2015 86 KG Russian Nationals).

#3 Ashkab Saadulaev- 2022 92 KG Khasavyurt Tournament champion, 2023 92 KG Yarygin bronze medalist, 2022 92 KG U23 Russian Nationals runner-up, 2021 92 KG Umakhanov Tournament bronze medalist. Key Wins: Khamzat Anzorov (2022 92 KG Russia Cup), Guram Chertkoev (2022 92 KG Russia Cup, 2023 92 KG Yarygin RD 32), Alan Bagaev (2022 92 KG Russia Cup), Azamat Zakuev (2022 92 KG International Khasavyurt Tournament finals), Ramazan Shakhbanov (2022 92 KG Umakhanov Tournament quarterfinals), Alexander Kondratov (2022 92 KG Umakhanov Qualification round), Tazhudin Mukhtarov (2023 92 KG Yarygin bronze medal match). Key Losses: Alan Bagaev (2022 92 KG U23 Russian Nationals finals, 2023 92 KG Yarygin RD 16), Azamt Zakuev (2022 92 KG Umakhanov Tournament semifinals), Kamran Ghasempour (2023 92 KG Iranian Pro League Finals), Magomedsharif Biyakaev (2021 86 KG Russian Nationals RD32).

#4 Azamat Zakuev-2021 92 KG Russian Nationals wrestle-off’s runner-up, 2021 92 KG Russian Nationals bronze medalist, 2022 92 KG Russian Nationals runner-up, 2022 92 KG International Khasavyurt Tournament bronze medalist, 2021 92 KG U23 World runner-up, 2021 92 KG U23 European Championships bronze medalist, 2022 92 KG Yarygin 5th place finisher, 2018 92 KG Intercontinental Cup 5th place finisher, 2018 92 KG Semenov Cup champion, 2018 92 KG Junior European Champion, 2021 92 KG Umakhanov Tournament runner-up. Key Wins: Vladislav Valiev (2022 92 KG Russian Nationals), Guram Chertkoev (2022 92 KG Russian Nationals), Alikhan Zhabrailov (2018 92 KG Intercontinental Cup), Alan Bagaev (2018 92 KG Semenov Cup finals), Shamil Gadzhialiev (2023 92 KG Yarygin bronze medal match), Anzor Urishev (2021 92 KG Russian Nationals wrestle-off’s), Erhan Yaylaci (2021 92 KG U23 world championships), Tamerlan Tapsiev (2022 92 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament finals), Boris Makoev (2019 86 KG Alans), Akhmed Magamaev (2019 86 KG Alans), Batraz Gazzaev (2018 92 KG Semenov Cup), Ashkab Saadulaev (2021 92 KG Umakhanov Tournament semifinals), Omargadzhi Magomedov (2021 92 KG Umakhanov Tournament). Key Losses: Ashkab Saadulaev (2022 92 KG International Khasavyurt Tournament finals), Magomed Kurbanov (2018 92 KG Intercontinental Cup, 2018 92 KG Alans, 2022 92 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament, 2022 92 KG Russian Nationals finals, 2021 92 KG Russian Nationals wrestle-off’s), Anzor Urishev (2018 92 KG Intercontinental Cup, 2021 92 KG Russian Nationals semifinals), Osman Nurmagomedov (2021 92 KG U23 World Finals, 2021 92 KG U23 European Championships quarterfinals), Alexander Moore (2019 86 KG U23 World Championships), Alan Bagaev (2021 92 KG Umakhanov Tournament finals), Guram Chertkoev (2022 92 KG Yarygin semis), Tazhudin Mukhtarov (2022 92 KG Yarygin bronze medal match), Vladislav Valiev (2023 92 KG Yarygin semifinals), Khabil Khashpakov (2019 86 KG Alans quarterfinals), Irakli Mtsituri (2018 92 KG Alans tournament 1st rd repechage).

Medal Contenders

 #5 Guram Chertkoev-2022 92 KG Yarygin champion, 2022 92 KG All-Russian Spartakiad champion, 2022 92 KG Soslan Andiev Memorial Champion, 2022 92 KG 2nd Ivan Poddubny Tournament bronze medalist, 2022 92 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament bronze medalist, 2022 92 KG Dmitri Korkin Memorial runner-up, 2021 92 KG Yarygin champion, 2019 92 KG Korkin champion, 2019 92 KG Sargsyan Cup runner-up, 2018 92 KG Korkin 5th place finisher, 2016 97 KG University World runner-up, 2018 92 KG Russian Nationals 5th place finisher. Key Wins: Vladislav Valiev (2022 92 KG Soslan Andiev Memorial, 2022 92 KG All-Russian Spartakiad finals), Magomedsharif Biyakaev (2019 92 KG Sargysan Cup), Gadzhimagomed Nazhmudinov (2019 92 KG Ali Aliev, 2018 92 KG Russian Nationals), Anzor Urishev (2019 92 KG Korkin finals), Alan Bagaev (2021 92 KG Russian Nationals RD16, 2022 92 KG All-Russian Spartakiad), Miriani Maisuradze (2022 92 KG Yasar Dogu), Tamerlan Tapsiev (2022 92 KG Yarygin, 2021 92 KG Yarygin finals), Azamat Zakuev (2022 92 KG Yarygin semifinals), Tazhudin Mukhtarov (2022 92 KG Yarygin, 2022 92 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament, 2018 92 KG Russian Nationals), Shamil Gadzhialiev (2022 92 KG Soslan Andiev Memorial Tournament finals). Key Losses: Alan Bagaev (2021 92 KG Ali Aliyev 2nd RD repechage, 2018 92 KG Semenov Cup quarterfinals), Amir Mohammadi (2016 97 KG University World Championships), Ahmet Bilici (2022 92 KG Yasar Dogu), Radik Nartikoev (2019 92 KG Sargsyan Cup finals, 2019 92 KG Russian Nationals RD16), Batyrbek Tsakulov (2020 92 KG Russian Nationals quarterfinals, 2019 92 KG Ali Aliev quarterfinals)), Aslanbek Sotiev (2019 92 KG Alans qualification round), Erhan Yaylaci (2022 92 KG Yasar Dogu semifinals), Azamat Zakuev (2022 92 KG Russian Nationals), Magomed Sharipov (2022 92 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament), Dauren Kurugliev (2022 92 KG 2nd Ivan Poddubny Tournament), Khamzat Anzorov (2022 92 KG Russia Cup), Ashkab Saadulaev (2022 92 KG Russia Cup), Mohammad Asami (2022 92 KG Dmitri Korkin tournament), Vladislav Valiev (2022 92 KG Russian Nationals bronze medal match), Soslan Ktsoev (2021 92 KG Russian Nationals bronze medal match), Magomed Kurbanov (2021 92 KG Russian Nationals semifinals, 2018 92 KG Intercontinental Cup), Anzor Urishev (2020 92 KG Yarygin quarterfinals, 2019 92 KG Alans. 2018 92 KG Korkin semifinals, 2018 92 KG Russian Nationals semifinals), Alikhan Zhabrailov (2018 92 KG Russian Nationals bronze medal match), Tazhudin Mukhtarov (2019 92 KG Alans), Maxim Tolmachev (2018 92 Korkin bronze medal match), Zelimkhan Minkailov (2022 92 KG 2nd Ivan Poddubny Tournament).

#6 Shamil Imam Gadzhialiev- 2021 97 KG Yarygin bronze medalist, 2021 97 KG U23 Russian Nationals champion, 2022 92 KG Soslan Andiev Memorial runner-up, 2023 92 KG Yarygin 5th place finisher. Key Wins: Abdulla Kurbanov (2021 97 KG U23 Russian Nationals finals), Alan Bagaev (2022 92 KG Soslan Andiev Memorial), Gadzhimagomed Tazhudinov (2021 97 KG Ali Aliev tournament), Artem Tskharebov (2021 97 KG Yarygin bronze medal match), Khokh Khugaev (2021 97 KG U23 Russian Nationals) Key Losses: Guram Chertkoev (2022 92 KG Soslan Andiev Memorial Finals), Magomedkhan Magomedov (2021 97 KG Yarygin semifinals), Maxim Tolmachev (2021 97 KG Umakhanov Tournament quarterfinals), Azamat Zakuev (2023 92 KG Yarygin bronze medal match), Vladislav Valiev (2023 92 KG Yarygin), Jay Aiello (2021 97 KG U23 World Championships), Vladislav Baitsaev (2021 97 KG Ali Aliyev quarterfinals).

Dark Horses

 #8 Khamzat Anzorov (RUS)- 2022 92 KG International Khasavyurt Tournament bronze medalist. Key Wins: Guram Chertkoev (2022 92 KG Russia Cup), Arsenali Musalaliev (2021 92 KG NCFD finals) Key Losses: Ashkab Saadulaev (2022 92 KG Russia Cup, 2022 92 KG International Khasavyurt Tournament), Alan Bagaev (2023 92 KG Yarygin qualification round).

The Breakdown

 The top bracket is filled with the most ranked competitors of the weight with #1 Alan Bagaev, #4 Ashkab Saadulaev, #5 (86) Omar Ziyautdinov, and #9 Tazhudin Mukhtarov. #1 Alan Bagaev faces his first tough match of the tournament in the round of 16 against the winner of 2021 86 KG Umakhanov Tournament champion Khabil Khashpakov and Ali Aliyev champion Gadzhimagomed Nazhmudinov. I go on the side of Nazhmudinov to beat the veteran Khashpakov. I see Bagaev beating Nazhmudinov to make the quarterfinals. I have Bagaev winning the quarterfinals against #9 Tazhudin Mukhtarov.

 On the other quarterfinals, returning national runner-up #4 Azamat Zakuev faces stiff competition in his opening against 2020 86 KG Russian Nationals 5th place finisher Abdulmuslim Timirbulatov. I have Zakuev winning a close match against Timirbulatov to face 86 KG Yarygin bronze medalist #5 (86) Omar Ziyautdinov. I have Zakuev beating Ziyautdinov to make the semis. In a pivotal matchup against #1 Alan Bagaev, I have Zakuev returning to form and making the national finals. A great match to keep an eye on is the round of 32 between #5 Omar Ziyautdinov and 2022 Junior and U23 Russian Nationals champion Mustafagadzhi Malachdibirov.

 On the bottom bracket, #2 Vladislav Valiev and #3 Ashkab Saadulaev are on a collision course for the semifinals. Saadulaev has a clear path to the quarterfinals, where he could face 2022 Yarygin champion #5 Guram Chertkoev or 2022 Yarygin runner-up Tamerlan Tapsiev. I have Chertkoev winning in the round of 16 and setting up a match against Saadulaev. Chertkoev is a powerhouse of a wrestler with wins over Valiev and #1 Alan Bagaev but has a limited skillset that has seen him exposed against top competition, so I have Saadulaev breaking through into the semifinals against #2 Vladislav Valiev. #2 Vladislav Valiev toughest match on his way to the semifinals will be the quarterfinals against #6 Shamil Imam Gadzhialiev, a 97 KG U23 Russian Nationals champion, with a win over #1 Alan Bagaev from the Soslan Andiev Memorial. Gadzhialiev follows the blueprint set by Guram Chertkoev of a limited powerhouse that catches the best guy during the offseason and can create a distorted sense of their potential, I have Valiev beating Gadzhialiev to make the semis and then making the finals over #3 Ashkab Saadulaev.

2023 92 KG Russian Nationals Predictions

GOLD: #4 Azamat Zakuev over #2 Vladislav Valiev

BRONZE: #1 Alan Bagaev over Abdulmuslim Timirbulatov

BRONZE: #4 Ashkab Saadulaev over #6 Shamil Imam Gadzhialiev