2023 Russian Nationals Day 3 Recap

61 KG

2023 61 KG Russian Nationals Finals Results

GOLD: #3 (65) Abasgadzhi Magomedov over #2 Muslim Mekhtikhanov 9-4

BRONZE: Alik Khadartsev over Kezhik Mongush 14-8

BRONZE: #6 Dinislam Takhtarov over #4 Dzhabrail Gairbekov 8-4

Abasgadzhi Magomedov was able to capture his fourth Russian Nationals title with a commanding 9-4 win over 2021 national runner-up #2 Muslim Mekhtikhanov. Abasgadzhi’s victory over Mekhtikhanov avenges his loss to him from the semifinals of the Yarygin earlier this year. Alik Khadartsev, a standout at 65 KG who struggled with issues of being undersized, finally put it all together to place at Russian Nationals with an incredible 14-8 back and forth over Kezhik Mongush. While Mongush was the story of day two of Russian Nationals with his victory over #1 Bashir Magomedov, Alik Khadartsev offense was too much for the upset minded Tuvan. #6 Dinislam Takhtarov earned his second Russian Nationals bronze medal with an exciting 8-4 victory over #4 Dzhabrail Gairbekov. Takhtarov’s run at Russian Nationals was one of the most exciting to watch as having his style almost entirely dependent on defensive counters off guys getting in on his legs makes his kill or be killed style a pleasure to watch.

74 KG

2023 74 KG Russian Nationals Finals Results

GOLD: #5 Chermen Valiev over #3 Timur Bizhoev 2-1

BRONZE: #4 David Baev over #7 (70) Anzor Zakuev 7-8 (pin)

BRONZE: #10 Magomed Dibirgadzhiev over #8 Imam Ganishov 

In what was a predictably slow affair, #5 Chermen Valiev was able to earn his second career Russian Nationals title over 2021 world bronze medalist #3 Timur Bizhoev. With Bizhoev unwilling and incapable of initiating offense against Valiev being more than willing to shut down the match after a stepout and a passivity point, the tepid result was to be anticipated. In what was a much more exciting affair, 2019 70 KG Senior World champion #4 David Baev was able to rally back to pin 2022 70 KG national runner-up #7 (70) Anzor Zakuev to earn his sixth Russian Nationals medal, bringing his total to four bronzes (‘17,’18,’22,’23), one gold (‘19), and one silver (‘20). #10 Magomed Dibirgadzhiev was able to use his length and leg attacks to stymie #8 Imam Ganishov to earn his third career Russian Nationals medal, bringing his total up to two bronzes (‘22,’23) and one silver (‘17).

86 KG

In what was the biggest upset of the tournament, 2020 79 KG Russian Nationals bronze medalist Amanulla Gadzhimagomedov dominated three-time World/Olympic bronze medalist #1 Artur Naifonov in a 13-3 tech fall victory in the semifinals to make the Russian National finals. While Gadzhimagomedov was a solid 79 KG, he consistently lost to the best in the form of #1 Akhmed Usmanov, #2 Gadzhimurad Alikhmaev, #3 Radik Valiev, #4 Magomed Magomaev and #8 Nikita Suchkov so for him to be able to move up in weight and completely dominate one of the best in the world was completely unpredictable. Gadzhimagomedov had an answer for every single low single and high crotch Naifonov shot with an excellent chest wrap and used an excellent counter off a Naifonov bodylock to seal the match. In the finals, Gadzhimagomedov will be facing off against Yarygin champion #4 Arslan Bagaev after Bagaev dominated returning bronze medalist Ada Bagomedov 9-0.

In an absolutely upset filled bracket, returning two-time 79 KG national champion #3 Malik Shavaev was beaten in the round of 16 by Khaibula Gyulmagomedov 4-1 and eventual finalist Amanulla Gadzhimagomedov upset four-time Russian Nationals bronze medalist #6 Arsenali Musalaliev 9-2 in the same round. Gadzhimagomedov and Gyulmagomedov would meet in the quarterfinals in a match that was soundly won by Gadzhimagomedov 9-1. The matchup between Amanulla Gadzhimagomedov and Arslan Bagaev will be one of the most highly anticipated of day four of Russian Nationals.

92 KG

Just like 86 kilograms, the 92 kilogram weight class imploded on itself with upsets, with these upsets primarily taking place in the top bracket. The first two upsets of the tournament took place in the round of 32 as Abdulmuslim Timirbulatov beat returning national runner-up #4 Azamat Zakuev 4-2 and 2022 U23 and Junior Russian Nationals champion Mustafagadzhi Malachdibirov upset 86 KG Yarygin bronze medalist #5 Omar Ziyautdinov 4-3. The upsets would continue into the round of 16, as Konstantin Pshenichnikov would beat Abdulmuslim Timirbulatov 7-2 and eliminated #4 Azamat Zakuev from the competition. 

The quarterfinals would mark the fall of top ranked Alan Bagaev by the hands of #9 Tazhudin Mukhtarov in a 8-5 score. Konstantin Pshenichnikov would be thrashed by Mustafagadzhi Malachdibirov to put the 2021 80 KG Cadet world bronze medalist into the semifinals of his first Senior Russian Nationals tournament. In the semifinals, #2 Vladislav Valiev would make his third Russian National finals with a 10-8 victory over 2022 Umakhanov Tournament champion #3 Ashkab Saadulaev and #9 Tazhudin Mukhtarov would win a razor thin 1-1 victory over Mustafagadzhi Malachdibirov to win his first Russian Nationals medal.