2023 74 KG Russian Nationals Preview

Day two of Russian Nationals goes down tomorrow. 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 74 kilogram weight class headlined by 2021 Senior World bronze medalist #3 Timur Bizhoev, 2019 70 KG Senior World champion #4 David Baev, and 2020 70 KG Russian Nationals champion #5 Cherman Valiev. #1 Zaurbek Sidakov is out with illness and #2 Razambek Zhamalov is out due to injury.

Title Contenders

 #3 Timur Bizhoev- 2017 74 KG Intercontinental Cup 1st, 2017 Yarygin 5th(70), 2013 Cadet world bronze (69 kg), 2017 74 KG Kunaev bronze, 2017 74 KG Alans tournament bronze medallist, 2018 74 KG Andrei Shumulin tournament runner-up, 2018 74 KG Russian Nationals bronze medalist, 2018 74KG Medved runner-up, 2018 74 KG U-23 world bronze medalist, 2018 74 KG Alans champion, 2019 74 KG Russian Nationals bronze medalist, 2019 74 KG Semenov Cup champion, 2019 74 KG European Championships bronze medalist, 2020 74 KG Russian Nationals bronze medalist, 2021 74 KG Russian Nationals 5th place finisher, 2022 74 KG Russian Nationals bronze medalist, 2022 74 KG Yarygin bronze medalist, 2022 74 KG Korkin bronze medalist, 2022 74 KG Semenov Cup bronze medalist, 2023 74 KG Yarygin runner-up, 2019 74 KG Alrosa Cup champion. Key Wins: Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov (2017 74 KG Intercontinental Cup), Khadzhimurad Gadzhiev (2019 74 KG European Championships), Akhmed Usmanov (2018 74 KG Russian Nationals round of 16, 2018 74 KG Alans), David Baev (2023 74 KG Yarygin), Iman Ganishov (2023 74 KG Yarygin), Magomed Dibirgadzhiev (2023 74 KG Yarygin) Evgeni Lapshov (2018 74 KG Russian Nationals quarterfinals), Rasul Dzhukaev (2017 Yarygin), Kakhaber Khubezhty (2017 Alans tournament), Khusuy Suyunchev (2017 74 KG Intercontinental Cup), Yakup Shikdzhamalov (2017 74 KG Intercontinental Cup), Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (2017 74 KG Kunaev), Alipasha Umarpashaev (2018 74 KG Medved semis), Akhsarbek Gulaev (2018 74 KG Medved quarters, 2018 74 KG U-23 world bronze medal match), Vasyl Mykhailov (2018 74 KG U-23 quarters), Avtandil Kentchadze (2018 74 KG Alans finals, 2019 74 KG Alrosa Cup, 2021 74 KG Senior World bronze medal match), Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov (2020 74 KG Russian Nationals quarterfinals, 2021 74 KG Russian Nationals wrestle-off’s), Magomed Kurbanaliev (2021 74 KG Russian Nationals wrestle-off’s), Aznaur Tavaev (2022 74 KG Semenov Cup bronze medal match), Magomed Magomaev (2018 74 KG Russian Nationals repechage), Evgheni Lapshov (2018 74 KG Russian Nationals bronze medal match), Mostafa Hosseinkhani (2021 74 KG Iranian Club Cup), Key Losses: Zaurbek Sidakov (2017 70 KG Yarygin, 2018 74 KG Russian Nationals quarterfinals, 2019 74 KG Yarygin, 2020 74 KG Russian Nationals semifinals, 2022 74 KG Korkin finals) Avtandil Kentchadze (2018 74KG U-23 world semis), Razambek Zhamalov (2019 74 KG U23 Russian Nationals finals, 2020 74 KG Russian Nationals semifinals, 2020 74 KG Yarygin, ), Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (2017 74 KG Yarygin), Ahmed Gadzhimagomedov (2017 74 KG Kunaev), Alan Zaseev (2017 74 KG Nusuev tournament, 2017 74 KG Alans tournament), Nikita Suchkov (2018 74 KG Andrey Shumulin tournament), Azamat Nurikov (2018 74 KG Medved finals match, 2019 74 KG Yarygin bronze medal match), Taimuraz Salkazanov (2021 74 KG Senior World Championships), Ruslan Bogatyrev (2022 74 KG Semenov Cup), Frank Chamizo (2019 74 KG European Championships), Magomed Kurbanaliev (2019 74 KG Yarygin, 2020 74 KG Russian Nationals), Khetag Tsabolov (2019 74 KG Alans, 2019 74 KG Russian Nationals), David Baev (2022 74 KG All-Russian Spartakiad semifinals), Younes Emami (2022 PWL 3 showcase match)

 #4 David Baev -2017 70 KG Russian Nationals bronze, 2018 70 KG Russian Nationals bronze, 2019 70 KG Russian nationals champion, 2020 Russian Nationals 70 KG runner-up, 2018 70 KG U-23 world runner-up, 2018 70 KG Alans champion, 2019 70 KG world champion, 2019 70 KG Yarygin runner-up, 2017 65 KG Junior world champion, 2021 70 KG Yarygin bronze medalist, 2020 70 KG Yarygin runner-up, 2021 70 KG Russian Pro League Tournament runner-up, 2022 74 KG Russian Nationals runner-up, 2022 74 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Runner-up, 2022 74 KG All-Russian Spartakiad runner-up, 2023 74 KG Yarygin bronze medalist. Key Wins: Razambek Zhamalov (2019 70 KG Russian Nationals finals, 2018 70 KG Russian Nationals bronze medal match, 2021 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament), Magomedmurad Gadzhiev (2019 70 KG world championships), Nurkhoza Kaipanov (2019 70 KG world finals), Kurban Shiraev (2020 Russian Nationals, 2021 70 KG Russian Pro League finals), Israil Kasumov (2019 70 KG Russian Nationals), Evgeni Zherbaev (2019 70 KG Russian Nationals, 2020 70 KG Yarygin), Magomed Kurbanaliev (2017 70 KG Russian Nationals), Iman Ganishov (2020 70 KG Russian Nationals), Inalbek Sheriev (2021 70 KG Russian Pro League semifinals), Magomed Kurbanaliev (2018 70 KG Alans finals), James Green (2018 70 KG Alans, 2019 70 KG Yarygin), Magomed Dibirgadzhiev (2023 74 KG Yarygin bronze medal match), Timur Bizhoev (2022 74 KG All-Russian Spartakiad semifinals), Cherman Valiev (2021 70 KG Russian Nationals wrestle-offs). Key Losses: Cherman Valiev (2019 70 KG Ali Aliev, 2020 70 KG Russian Nationals Finals), Murshid Mutalimov (2021 65 KG Russian Nationals), Kurban Shiraev (2021 70 KG Yarygin), Israil Kasumov (2017 Kadyrov Cup, 2019 70 KG Yarygin finals, 2020 70 KG Yarygin finals), Ilyas Bekbulatov (2021 70 KG Russian Pro League finals) Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov ( 2018 70 KG Russian Nationals, 2019 70 KG Yarygin, 2022 74 KG Yarygin), Magomed Dibirgadzhiev (2017 70 KG Russian Nationals semifinals), Taimuraz Salkazanov (2018 70 KG U-23 world championships finals), Zaurbek Sidakov (2022 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament), Razambek Zhamalov (2019 70 KG Yarygin bronze medal match, 2022 74 KG Russian Nationals, 2022 74 KG All-Russian Spartakiad), Timur Bizhoev (2023 74 KG Yarygin semifinals)

 #5 Cherman Valiev-2017 65 KG Yarygin 2nd. 2017 Russian Junior Nationals 3rd, 2018 70 KG Junior European champion, 2018 70 KG Viktor Semenov tournament champion, 2017 70 KG Korkin bronze, 2018 70 KG Junior Russian National runner-up, 2018 70 KG Junior European champion, 2018 70 KG Semenov Cup champion, 2019 70 KG Ali Aliev bronze medalist, 2019 70 KG Alans champion, 2019 70 KG Russian Nationals bronze medalist, 2019 70 KG U23 world runner-up, 2020 70 KG Yarygin bronze medalist, 2020 70 KG Russian Nationals champion, 2021 70 KG Russian Nationals bronze medalist, 2022 74 KG Yarygin champion, 2022 74 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament bronze medalist, 2022 74 KG North Ossetia-Alania runner-up, 2022 74 KG Semenov Cup champion, 2022 74 KG Soslan Andiev Memorial champion, 2022 74 KG Russian Nationals runner-up, 2021 74 KG U23 World champion, 2021 74 KG U23 European Champion. Key Wins: Lkhamgarma Narmandakh(2017 Yarygin), Hrayar Alikanyan (2021 74 KG U23 European Finals), Ashraf Ashirov (2021 74 KG U23 European Championships), Vladimeri Gamkrelidze (2021 74 KG U23 European Championships), Khadzhimurad Gadzhiev (2018 Junior European finals), Mohamed Yegeaneh Jafari(2017 Yarygin), Viktor Stepanov(2017 Yarygin), Alan Gogaev (2018 70 KG Semenov Cup finals), Frank Molinaro(2017 world cup), Iveriko Julakidze(2017 world cup), Dzhamal Otarsultanov(2017 Russian Nationals), Alan Gogaev (2018 Viktor Semenov tournament finals), Evgeni Zherbaev (2017 Korkin), Ildous Giniyatullin (2018 Semenov semis), Israil Kasumov (2019 70 KG Alans semifinals), Alan Kudzoev (2019 70 KG Alans qualification round), Viktor Rassadin (2021 70 KG Russian Nationals bronze medal match), Sayin Kazyryk (2020 70 KG Russian Nationals), Murad Nukhadiev (2020 70 KG Russian Nationals), Ruslan Zhendaev (2020 70 KG Russian Nationals), Anzor Zakuev (2020 70 KG Yarygin quarterfinals), Ramazan Ramazanov (2019 70 KG Alans finals, 2018 70 KG Semenov Cup quarterfinals), Mohammad Firouzpour (2021 74 KG U23 world finals), David Baev (2019 70 KG Ali Aliev, 2020 70 KG Russian Nationals finals), Murtuz Muslimov (2019 70 KG Ali Aliev bronze medal match), Ruslan Bogatyrev (2022 74 KG Semenov Cup finals), Magomed Dibirgadzhiev (2022 74 KG Russian Nationals semifinals, 2022 74 KG Semenov Cup), Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov (2022 74 KG Yarygin quarterfinals), Aznaur Tavaev (2022 74 KG Yarygin semifinals), Turan Bayramov (2021 74 KG U23 World Championships), Key Losses: Ilyas Bekbulatov (2017 65 Yarygin finals), Israil Kasumov (2020 70 KG Yarygin), Mirza Skhulukhia (2019 70 KG U23 World finals), Vasant Prakash (2014 Cadet worlds), Evgheni Zherbaev (2019 70 KG Dmitri Korkin memorial tournament, 2021 70 KG Russian Nationals), Anzor Zakuev (2017 65 KG Russian Junior Nationals), Naachin Kuular (2017 65 KG Russian Nationals), Razambek Zhamalov (2018 70 KG Junior Russian Nationals finals, 2019 70 KG Mindiashvili Tournament, 2019 70 KG Russian Nationals, 2019 70 KG Ali Aliev semifinals, 2022 74 KG Russian Nationals finals), German Ustinov (2017 70 KG Korkin), Alipasha Umarpashaev (2017 70 KG medved), Zaurbek Sidakov (2023 74 KG Yarygin, 2022 74 KG North Ossetia-Alania finals, 2022 74 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament semifinals), James Green (2019 70 KG Alans), David Baev (2021 70 KG Russian Nationals wrestle-offs), Anzor Zakuev (2017 65 KG Junior Russian Nationals semifinals).

Medal Contenders

#10 Magomed Dibirgadzhiev -2017 70 Kg Russian Nationals runner-up, 2022 74 KG Russian Nationals bronze medalist, 2021 74 KG Medved runner-up, 2019 74 KG Semenov Cup runner-up, 2022 74 KG Oleg Dukanov Memorial Tournament 5th place finisher, 2019 74 KG Intercontinental Cup runner-up, 2018 74 KG Semenov Cup bronze medalist, 2018 74 KG Medved 5th, 2018 74 KG Ali Aliev champion, 2017 70 KG Medved runner-up, 2014 69 KG Cadet European Champion, 2022 74 KG 2nd Ivan Poddubny runner-up, 2023 74 KG Yarygin 5th place finisher. Key Wins: Alex Dieringer (2016 74 KG Intercontinental Cup), Mekhi Lewis (2019 74 KG Intercontinental Cup), Gadzhimurad Alikhmaev (2019 74 KG Intercontinental Cup, 2018 74 KG Intercontinental Cup), Evgheni Zherbaev (2021 74 Kg Oleg Dukanov Memorial Tournament), Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov (2022 74 KG Russian Nationals), David Baev (2017 70 KG Russian Nationals semifinals), Muslim Evloev (2017 74 KG Intercontinental Cup), Azamat Nurikov (2021 74 KG Umakhanov tournament), Taimuraz Salakzanov (2021 74 KG Medved, 2019 74 KG Ali Aliyev), Alan Zaseev (2018 74 KG Ali Aliyev bronze medal match), Murad Nukhadiev (2019 70 KG Russian nationals RD32), Magomedmurad Dadaev (2019 70 KG Russian Nationals qualification round) Key Losses: David Baev (2023 74 KG Yarygin bronze medal match), Akhmed Usmanov (2018 74 KG Ali Aliyev, 2019 74 KG Ali Aliyev), Saipulla Alibulatov (2019 74 KG Ali Aliev 1st RD repechage), Timur Bizhoev (2023 74 KG Yarygin quarterfinals), Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (2017 70 KG Russian Nationals finals, 2019 70 KG Russian Nationals RD 16), Gadzhimurad Omarov (2017 70 KG U23 World Championships), Zaurbek Sidakov (2022 74 KG 2nd Ivan Poddubny Finals), Gadzhi Nabiev (2017 74 KG Intercontinental Cup quarterfinals, 2016 74 KG Intercontinental Cup), Magomed Ramazanov (2016 74 KG Intercontinental Cup bronze medal match), Cherman Valiev (2022 74 KG Russian Nationals semifinals, 2022 74 KG Semenov Cup), Mokhamad Nasirkhaev (2021 74 KG Umakhanov Tournament semifinals), Azamat Nurikov (2021 74 KG Medved finals), Razambek Zhamalov (2021 74 KG Russian Nationals), Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov (2021 74 KG Russian Nationals bronze medal match), Alan Kudzoev (2022 70 KG Yarygin), Anzor Zakuev (2022 70 KG Yarygin), Ruslan Bogatyrev (2018 74 KG Intercontinental Cup quarterfinals)

#7 (70) Anzor Zakuev- 2017 65 KG Junior national runner-up, 2019 Dan Kolov runner-up, 2018 Ugra Cup bronze, 2018 Intercontinental Cup bronze, 2019 Ali Aliev bronze, 2019 Sargsyan champ, 2023 70 KG Korkin bronze medalist, 2022 70 KG Russian Nationals runner-up, 2022 70 KG Yarygin runner-up, 2023 70 KG Yarygin 5th place finisher, 2022 70 KG Semenov Cup champion. Key Wins: Cherman Valiev (2017 65 KG Junior Russian Nationals semis), James Green (2019 70 KG Dan Kolov), Ramazan Ramazanov (2019 70 KG Ali Aliev bronze medal match), Rustam Gaimasov (2018 Ugra Cup bronze medal match), Magomedrasul Idrisov (2020 70 KG Russian Nationals), Alan Kudzoev (2022 70 Kg Yarygin, 2022 70 KG Semenov Cup), Magomed Dibirgadzhiev (2022 70 KG Yarygin), Ruslan Zhendaev (2022 70 KG Yarygin), Abdulla Akhmedov (2021 70 KG Umakhanov Tournament, 2022 70 KG Russian Nationals), Israil Kasumov (2022 70 KG Dmitri Korkin tournament), Konstantin Kaprynov (2022 70 KG Dmitri Korkin tournament), Key Losses: Ilyas Bekbulatov (2019 70 KG Dan Kolov), Murad Nukhadiev (2020 70 KG Russian Nationals), Alan Gogaev (2018 70 Ugra Cup, 2016 65 KG Russian Nationals), Soslan Ramonov (2016 65 KG Russian Nationals), Cherman Valiev (2020 70 KG Yarygin), #1 (65) David Baev (2017 65 KG Junior Russian nationals finals), Israil Kasumov (2022 70 KG Russian Nationals), Evgheni Zherbaev (2022 70 KG Dmitri Korkin Memorial, 2023 70 KG Yarygin), Konstantin Kaprynov (2023 70 KG Yarygin), Murad Nukhadiev (2020 70 KG Russian Nationals quarterfinals), Gitinomagomed Gadzhiev (2019 70 KG Ali Aliev), Alan Kudzoev (2022 70 KG All Russian Spartakiad quarterfinals), Ruslan Bogatyrev (2019 70 KG Alans RD 16, 2018 70 KG Alans RD16, 2022 70 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament), Viktor Rassadin (2022 70 KG Yarygin finals, 2022 70 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament)

#9 Ruslan Bogatyrev- 2021 74 KG Yarygin bronze medalist, 2022 70 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament bronze medalist, 2019 70 KG Alans bronze medalist, 2019 74 KG Semenov Cup champion, 2018 74 KG Intercontinental Cup bronze medalist. Key Wins: Timur Bizhoev (2022 74 KG Semenov Cup), David Baev (2018 70 KG Mindiashvili Tournament), Darsam Dzhaparov (2019 74 KG Semenov Cup finals), Anzor Zakuev (2019 70 KG Alans RD 16, 2018 70 KG Alans RD16, 2022 70 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament), Alan Kudzoev (2019 70 KG Alans repechage bracket), Khamzat Eldarov (2021 74 KG Yarygin bronze medal match), Murad Kuramagomedov (2021 74 KG Ali Aliyev RD 16), Magomed Dibirgadzhiev (2018 74 KG Intercontinental Cup quarterfinals), Iakub Shikhdzhamalov (2018 74 KG Russian Nationals qualification round). Key Losses: Alan Kudzoev (2022 70 KG Russian Nationals qualification round, 2021 70 KG Umakhanov Tournament repechage), Kurban Shiraev (2021 70 KG Umakhanov Tournament quarterfinals), Razambek Zhamalov (2018 70 KG Alans bronze medal match) Iman Ganishov (2022 70 KG Khasavyurt Tournament), Cherman Valiev (2022 74 KG Semenov Cup finals, 2019 70 KG Alans quarterfinals), Enes Uslu (2018 70 KG U23 European Championships qualification round), Giorgi Sulava (2018 70 KG U23 European Championships bronze medal match), Viktor Rassadin (2022 70 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament), Nikita Suchkov (2021 74 KG Yarygin semifinals), Magomed Kurbanaliev (2021 74 KG Ali Aliev quarterfinals), Alexei Borovitski (2020 70 KG Yarygin qualification round), Anzor Zakuev (2019 70 KG Ali Aliyev repechage), Gitinomagomed Gadzhiev (2019 70 KG Ali Aliev), Iakub Shikhdzhamalov (2018 74 KG Intercontinental Cup semifinals), Nikita Suchkov (2018 74 KG Russian Nationals RD 32)

Alan Kudzoev -2022 70 KG Yarygin 5th place finisher, 2019 70 KG Junior World bronze medalist, 2021 70 KG Ali Aliev 5th place finisher, 2021 70 KG Umakhanov Tournament bronze medalist. Key Wins: Alec Pantaleo (2022 70 KG Yarygin), Magomed Dibirgadzhiev (2022 70 KG Yarygin), Akhmed Nurakhmaev (2021 70 KG Umakhanov Tournament bronze medal match), Arpak Sat (2022 74 KG Russia Cup), Anzor Zakuev (2022 70 KG All-Russian Spartakiad quarterfinals), Iman Ganishov (2020 70 KG Junior Russian Nationals finals), Ruslan Bogatyrev (2022 70 KG Russian Nationals qualification round). Key Losses: Zagir Shakhiev (2022 70 KG All-Russian Spartakiad semifinals), Azamat Nurikov (2022 70 KG Ali Aliev), Viktor Rassadin (2021 70 KG Ali Aliev), Ruslan Zhendaev (2022 70 KG Yarygin bronze medal match), Aznaur Tavaev (2022 70 KG Russian Nationals qualification round), Zaurbek Sidakov (2022 74 KG North Ossetia-Alania nationals), Magomed Abdulkadyrov (2022 74 KG U23 Russian Nationals finals), Cherman Valiev (2019 70 KG Alans), Ruslan Bogatyrev (2019 70 KG Alans repechage), Yuri Arakelyan (201 70 KG U23 Russian Nationals quarterfinals), Kurban Shiraev (2021 70 KG Umakhanov Tournament RD 16)

Dark Horses

 Mokhamad Nasirkhaev -2021 74 KG Umakhanov Tournament champion. Key Wins: Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov (2023 74 KG Murad Gaidarov Memorial Tournament), Akhmad Shakhbanov (2021 74 KG Umakhanov Tournament finals), Magomed Dibirgadzhiev (2021 74 KG Umakhanov Tournament), Key Losses: Saipulla Alibulatov (2023 74 KG Murad Gaidarov Memorial Tournament), Soslanbek Budaev (2022 74 KG Yarygin qualification round).

 Saipulla Alibulatov -2017 70 KG Intercontinental Cup bronze medalist, 2021 74 KG Ali Aliyev runner-up, 2022 74 KG U23 Russian Nationals bronze medalist. Key Wins: Magomed Dibirgadzhiev (2019 74 KG Ali Aliyev), Magomed Kurbanaliev (2021 74 KG Ali Aliyev), Daniyar Kaisanov (2021 74 KG Ali Aliyev quarterfinals), Alibek Akbaev (2018 70 KG Intercontinental Cup), Anzor Zakuev (2017 70 KG Intercontinental Cup bronze medal match), Mokhamad Nasirkhaev (2023 74 KG Murad Gaidarov Memorial Tournament), Key Losses: Akhmed Usmanov (2019 74 KG Ali Aliyev), Azamat Nurikov (2019 74 KG Ali Aliyev), Umar Mutaliev (2022 74 KG Russian Nationals RD16), Murad Kuramagomedov (2017 70 KG Intercontinental Cup) Nikita Suchkov (2021 74 KG Ali Aliyev finals, 2020 74 KG Russian Nationals repechage rd1), Alexander Baltuev (2022 74 Kg U23 Russian Nationals), Gitinomagomed Gasdzhiev (2018 70 KG intercontinental Cup quarterfinals), Razambek Zhamalov (2020 74 KG Russian Nationals RD16).

The Breakdown

 On the top bracket, #3 Timur Bizhoev will have his first test of the tournament against 2021 Ali Aliev runner-up Saipulla Alibulatov in the round of 16. I see Bizhoev winning this encounter to make it into the quarterfinals. 2022 70 KG Russian Nationals runner-up #7 Anzor Zakuev and 2019 70 KG Junior World bronze medalist Alan Kudzoev face each other in the round of 32 in a great match that is led 2-1 in the series by Zakuev with victories over Kudzoev at the 2022 Yarygin and Semenov Cup to Kudzoev’s sole win in the quarterfinals of the 2022 All-Russian Spartakiad). I take Zakuev to win here to set up an interesting round of 16 match up against 2021 Umakhanov Tournament champion Mokhamad Nasirkhaev, who was able to beat two-time 70 KG Senior World champion #1 (70) Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov at the Murad Gaidarov Memorial. While Nasirkhaev will have a size advantage over Zakuev, I think the explosive nature of Zakuev’s skill set should get him by Nasirkhaev to set up a quarterfinal match against Bizhoev which Bizhoev will win.

 On the second quarterfinal match of the top bracket, I have #4 David Baev coasting through into the semis where he’ll take on #3 Timur Bizhoev. With both men splitting matches against each with Bizhoev taking the most recent win this year at the Yarygin to Baev’s win over Bizhoev last year at the All-Russian Spartakiad, I am going to side with Baev’s dynamism against the stifling control of Bizhoev.

    On the bottom bracket, I see returning bronze medalist #10 Magomed Dibirgadzhiev making the semifinals against #5 Cherman Valiev. I have Valiev winning the semifinals to make his second Russian Nationals finals against #3 David Baev.

2023 74 KG Russian Nationals Predictions

GOLD: #4 David Baev over #5 Cherman Valiev

BRONZE: #3 Timur Bizhoev over Soslan Tigiev

BRONZE: #10 Magomed Dibirgadzhiev over #9 Ruslan Bogatyrev.