April 2024 International Men's Freestyle Rankings

#13 Bekzat Almaz Uulu (KGZ) won the Yasar Dogu over multiple time Russian Nationals runner-up #8 Nachyn Mongush (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Yasar Dogu were #11 Almaz Smanbekov (KGZ) and Bekbolot Myrzanazar Uulu (KGZ). #13 Bekzat Almaz Uulu (KGZ) moves up five spots to #8 for ranked wins over #8 Nachyn Mongush (RUS) and #14 Rakhat Kalzhan (KAZ). Bekbolot Myzanazar Uulu (KGZ) returns to the rankings at #13 for beating #15 Rakhat Kalzhan (KAZ) for bronze. Kento Yumita (JPN) debuts in the rankings at #20 for beating 2023 61 KG U23 world runner-up #8 (61) Assylzhan Yessengeldi (KAZ) 13-1 in the rd 16. #15 Rakhat Kalzhan (KAZ) beat #20 Kento Yumita (JPN) 11-7 in the quarterfinals. The other ranked matchups that took place were #12 Almaz Smanbekov (KGZ) beating #17 Azamat Tuskaev (SRB) 3-0 in the quarterfinals and Munkh Erdene Batkhuyag (MGL) beating #18 (61) Meirambek Kartbay (KAZ) 10-0 in the qualification round.

Andrey Yatsenko (UKR) won the Dan Kolov Memorial over Roman Hutsuliak (UKR) with Ivalyo Tisov (BUL) taking bronze. Gamal Mohamed (EGY) won the African Games over Enozunimi Simon (NGR) with Omar Faye (SEN) and Rabby Kilandi (CON) taking bronze. Gamal Mohamed (EGY) and Diamantino Iuna Fafe (GBS) made the finals of the African Olympic Games Qualifier and will go to the Paris Olympics. Mohamed beat Khalil Barkouti (TUN) 8-0 in the semis and Fafe beat Suraj Singh (AUS) 10-0 in the semis. Diamantino Iuna Fafe (GBS) won the African Championships over Roland Inforsorong (CAM) with Abdelrahman Mahmoud (EGY) and Khalil Barkouti (TUN) taking bronze.

61 KG

Masanosuke Ono (JPN) won the Yasar Dogu over Emre Kural (TUR) with #9 Taiyrbek Zhumashbek Uulu (KGZ) over #14 Reza Atri (IRI) and Behruzby Turanmuratov (UZB) over #17 Recep Topal (TUR) for bronze. #8 Assylzhan Yessengeldi (KAZ) moved down to 57 KG and didn’t place at the Yasar Dogu and has been removed from the rankings, as did #18 Meirambek Kartbay (KAZ). Masanosuke Ono (JPN) enters the rankings at #8 for beating #9 Taiyrbek Zhumashbek Uulu (KGZ) and #14 Reza Atri (IRI). Emre Kural (TUR) enters the rankings at #16 for beating #20 Recep Topal (TUR). Behruzby Turanmuratov (UZB) enters the rankings at #17 for beating #20 Recep Topal (TUR) and #18 Leomid Colonsic (MDA) at the Yasar Dogu. Leomid Colonsic (MDA) debuts in the rankings at #18 for beating #16 Emrah Ormanoglu (TUR) in the round of 16 at the Yasar Dogu.

#1 (57) Stevan Micic (SRB) won the Dan Kolov Memorial over Yaroslav Hurskyy (UKR) with Yasin Rezaei (IRI) and Abdelhak Kherbache (ALG) taking bronze. Abdelhak Kherbache (ALG) won the African Championships over Didier Diatta (SEN) with Hassan Elsayed (EGY) taking bronze.

65 KG

Austin Gomez (MEX) and Alejandro Valdes Tobier (CUB) qualified for the Paris Olympics by making the finals of the Pan-Am Olympic Games Qualifier. In the semifinals, Gomez beat Lachlan McNeil (CAN) and Tobier beat Shannon Hanna (BAH). Gomez enters the rankings at #12 in the world for tech falling #9 Nick Lee (USA) 22-12 in the quarterfinals, while Lee falls four spots to #13 for his loss to #12 Gomez at the Pan-Am Olympic Games Qualifier.

Ulukbek Zholdoshbekov (KGZ) won the Yasar Dogu over Musa Aghayev (AZE) with Abdulmazhid Kudiev (TJK) and Mohamad Palangvar (IRI) taking bronze. Abdulmazhid Kudiev (TJK) notched the biggest upset of the month when he beat #1 Shamil Mamedov (RUS) 10-0 in the qualification round, taking the match series lead against Mamedov to 2-1 (wins at the 2022 Dmitri Korkin Memorial Finals and 2024 Yasar Dogu over Mamedov with a loss in the finals of the 2023 Iranian Pro League to Mamedov). Kudiev would go on to lose to eventual runner-up Musa Aghayev (AZE) in the semifinals. From the results of the Yasar Dogu, #1 Shamil Mamedov (RUS) stays #1 for wins over #2 Ibragim Ibragimov (RUS), #3 Islam Dudaev (ALB), #4 Gadzhimurad Rashidov (RUS), #5 Tulga Tumur Ochir (MGL), and #6 Rahman Amouzad (IRI).

Ulukbek Zholdoshbekov (KGZ) debuts in the 65 KG rankings at #7 for beating #8 Musa Aghayev (AZE) in the finals of the Yasar Dogu. Musa Aghayev (AZE) debuts in the 65 KG rankings at #8 for beating #9 Abdulmazhid Kudiev (TJK) and 2017 70 KG Senior World runner-up James Green (USA) to make the finals of the Yasar Dogu. Yasar Dogu bronze medalist Abdulmazhid Kudiev (TJK) returns to the rankings at #9 for beating #1 Shamil Mamedov (RUS) at the Yasar Dogu but cannot rise higher due to a loss to #8 Musa Aghayev (AZE) in the semifinals of the Yasar Dogu.

Abbas Ebrahim (IRI) won the Dan Kolov Memorial over Junsik Yun (KOR) with Taras Markovych (UKR) and Marwane Yezza (FRA) taking bronze. Omar Mourad (EGY) won the African Games over Stephen Izolo (NGR). Mohamad Hafsia (TUN) and Manaceu Ngonda (ANG) took bronze at the African Games. Georgii Okorokov (AUS) and Gaku Akazawa (SAM) qualified for the Paris Olympics by making the finals of the African/Oceania Olympic Games qualifier. In the semifinals, Okorokov beat Manaceu Ngonda (ANG) and Akazawa (SAM) beat Wotna Ndoc (GBS).

Of note, both Okorokov and Akazawa are transfers for their respective countries (Australia and Samoa) with Okorokov being from Yakutsk, Russia where he was a 2016 Junior European Champion and Akazawa being from Japan where his best finish was a 7th place finish at the 2015 57 KG President Cup of Buryatia. Shehabeldin Mohamed (EGY) won the African Championships over Zohier Iftene (ALG) with Stephen Izolo (NGR) and Manaceu Ngonda (CAM) taking bronze.

70 KG

#9 Ernazar Akmataliev (KGZ) won the Yasar Dogu over #5 (65) Tulga Tumur Ochir (MGL) by pin with #10 Yoshinosuke Aoyagi (JPN) and #6 Amir Mohammad Yazdani (IRI) taking bronze. #9 Ernazar Akmataliev (KGZ) moves up four spots in the rankings to #5 for beating #5 (65) Tulga Tumur Ochir (MGL) and #10 Yoshinosuke Aoyagi (JPN) to make the finals of the Yasar Dogu, coupled with Tumur Ochir’s wins over #6 Amir Mohammad Yazdani (IRI) and #15 Magomed Bashir Khaniev (AZE) helping to elevate Akmataliev’s position. #5 (65) Tulga Tumur Ochir (MGL) does not move up or debut in the 70 KG rankings for his performance at the Yasar Dogu as he will be preparing to compete for Mongolia at 65 KG the Asian Olympic Games Qualifier.

Ivan Kusyk (UKR) won the Dan Kolov Memorial over Kaloyan Atanasov (BUL) with Nikolay Dimitrov (BUL) taking bronze. Abderrahmane Benaissa (ALG) won the African Championships over Ahmed Mohamed (EGY) with Brendin Louw (RSA) taking bronze.

74 KG

Geandry Garzon (CUB) and Anthony Montero Chirinos (VEN) qualified for the Paris Olympics by making the finals of the Pan-American Olympic Games qualifier. Geandry Garzon (CUB) beat Julio Rodriguez Romero (DOM) 6-2 in his semifinal match while Anthony Montero Chirinos (VEN) beat Raul Palacios Dominguez (MEX) in his semifinal.

#3 Jordan Burroughs (USA) won the Yasar Dogu over Magomet Evloev (TJK) with Orozobek Toktomambetov (KGZ) and Magomedrasul Asluev (BRN) taking bronze. Orozobek Toktomambetov (KGZ) takes the #20 spot in the rankings for beating 2022 Junior World Champion Dzhabrail Gadzhiev (AZE) and 2023 70 KG Asian Champion Sanzhar Doszhanov (KAZ) at the Yasar Dogu.

#8 Ramazan Ramazanov (BUL) won the Dan Kolov Memorial over Miroslav Kirov (BUL) with Mihail Georgiev (BUL) and Vadim Tsurkan (BUL) taking bronze. Amr Hussen (EGY) won the African Games over Abdelkader Ikkal (ALG) with Bacar Ndum (GBS) and Andy Mukendi (CON) taking bronze. Bacar Ndum (GBS) and Amr Hussen (EGY) qualified for the Paris Olympics by making the finals of the African Olympic Games Qualifier. Bacar Ndum (GBS) beat Oyeinkeperemo Braveman (NGR) 10-2 in his semifinal match while Amr Hussen (EGY) beat Rayanne Essaidi (MOR) 11-0 in his semi. Bacar Ndum (GBS) won the African Championships over Saad Bouguerra (ALG) with Mohamad Abdelhady (EGY) and Joao Barbosa Vicente (CPV) taking gold.

79 KG

#7 Khidir Saipudinov (BRN) won the Yasar Dogu over Byambadorj Enkhbayar (MGL) with #19 Ramazan Sari (TUR) and Ramiz Hasanov (AZE) taking bronze. Byambadorj Enkhbayar (MGL) debuts in the rankings at #20 for beating Muhammed Akdeniz (TUR) after Akdeniz had beaten 2022 U23 world runner-up Daulet Yergesh (KAZ). #19 Ramazan Sari (TUR) moves up two spots to #17 for beating #17 Ashraf Ashirov (AZE) in the quarterfinals of the Yasar Dogu.

Radomir Stoyanov (BUL) won the Dan Kolov Memorial over Chems Fetairia (ALG) with Lukas Lins (AUT) taking bronze. Chems Fetairia (ALG) won the African Championship over Nasser Sayed (EGY) with Mohamed Ben Jaafar (TUN) taking bronze.

86 KG

Alexander Moore (CAN) and Ethan Ramos (PUR) qualified for the Paris Olympics by making the finals of the Pan-American Olympic Games Qualifier. Ethan Ramos (PUR) beat Carlos Izquierdo Mendez (COL) 11-6 in his semifinal match while Alexander Moore (CAN) pinned Pedro Ceballos Fuentes (VEN) in his semifinal.

Hadi Vafaipour (IRI) won the Yasar Dogu over Bat-Erdene Byambasuren (MGL) with Yudai Takahashi (JPN) and Bobur Islomov (UZB) taking bronze. Hadi Vafaipour (IRI) returns to the rankings at #19 for beating #12 Evsem Shvelidze (GEO) in the semifinals of the Yasar Dogu with Shvelidze falling eight spots to #20 for his losses to #19 Hadi Vafaipour (IRI) and Yudai Takahashi (JPN). #18 Alex Dieringer (USA) won the Dan Kolov Memorial over Mukhammed Aliiev (UKR) with Valentyn Babii (UKR) and Vladyslav Prus (UKR) taking bronze.

Ahmed Mahmoud (EGY) won the African Games title over Cedric Abossolo (CAM) with Ben Theron (RSA) and Harrison Onovwiomogbohwo (NGR) taking bronze. Jayden Lawrence (RSA) and Fateh Benferdjallah (ALG) qualified for the Paris Olympics by making the finals of the African Olympic Games Qualifier. Jayden Lawrence (AUS) beat Harrison Onovwiomogbohwo (NGR) 4-4 in semis and Fateh Benferdjallah (ALG) beat Cedric Abossolo (CAM) 7-0 in his semifinal match. Mohamed Abdelaal (EGY) won the African Championships over Oussama Abdellaoui (ALG) with Harrison Onovwiomogbohwo (NGR) and Matteo Monteiro Furtado Tesse (CPV) taking bronze.

92 KG

#9 Amirhossein Firouzpour (IRI) won the Yasar Dogu over Andrian Grosul (MDA) with #10 Muhammad Gimri (TUR) and Giorgi Romelashvili (GEO) taking bronze. #4 Mohammad Azimi (IRI) won the Dan Kolov Memorial over Redjep Hajdari (MKD). Mohamed Salaheldin (EGY) won the African Championships over Issa Rhimi (TUN) with Yacine Lakrout (ALG) taking bronze.

97 KG

Arturo Silot Torres (CUB) and Luis Perez Sosa (DOM) qualified for the Paris Olympics by making the finals of the Pan-American Olympic Qualifier. Torres beat Maxwell Lacey (CRC) in the semifinals and Perez Sosa beat Cristian Sarco Colmenarez (VEN) in the semifinals. #1 Akhmed Tazhudinov (BRN) won the Yasar Dogu by 10-0 tech fall over Jay Aiello (USA) with #14 Rizabek Aitmukhan (KAZ) and #18 Radu Lefter (MDA) taking bronze. #1 Akhmed Tazhudinov (BRN) won the battle of 2023 world champions against 92 KG world champion #14 Rizabek Aitmukhan (KAZ) by pin while Aiello returns to the 97 KG rankings at #17 for beating 2023 97 KG U23 world runner-up #18 Radu Lefter (MDA).

Juhwan Seo (KOR) won the Dan Kolov Memorial over Andriyan Valkanov (BUL). Mostafa Elders (EGY) won the African Games over Wali Kebir (ALG) with Aron Mbo (CON)

Taking bronze. Mostafa Elders (EGY) and Nicolaas De Lange (RSA) qualified for the Paris Olympics by making the finals of the African Olympic Games Qualifier. Mostafa Elders (EGY) beat Wali Kebir (ALG) 15-3 in semifinals and Nicolaas De Lange (RSA) beat Mohamed Saadaoui (TUN) by pin in his semifinal match to qualify. Pape Ndiyae (SEN) won the African Championships over Abdelrahman Abouheiba (EGY) with Franck Anaba (CAM) taking bronze.

125 KG

Jonovan Smith (PUR) and Amarveer Dhesi (CAN) qualified for the Paris Olympics by making the finals of the Pan-American Olympic Games Qualifier. Jonovan Smith (PUR) beat Gino Avila (HON) 5-1 in his semifinal match while Amarveer Dhesi (CAN) beat Ibrain Torres Espinosa (CUB) 11-0 in his semifinal. #4 Amir Masoumi Valadi (IRI) won the Yasar Dogu over 2022 125 KG Senior World runner-up #19 Lkhagvagerel Munkhtur (MGL) with Solomon Manashvili (GEO) and Shamil Sharipov (BRN) taking bronze.

Georgi Ivanov (BUL) won the Dan Kolov Memorial over Yuri Idzinski (UKR) with Yeihyun Jung (KOR) taking bronze. Youssif Hemida (EGY) won the African Games over Ashton Mutuwa (NGR) with Hemza Haloui (ALG) taking bronze. Ashton Mutuwa (NGR) and Diaaeldin Abdelmottaleb (EGY) qualified for the Paris Olympics by making the finals of the African Olympic Games Qualifier. Ashton Mutuwa (NGR) beat Justin Van Zyl (RSA) by pin in semis while Diaaeldin Abdelmottaleb (EGY) beat Modou Faye (SEN) 3-3 in his semifinals match. Youssif Hemida (EGY) won the African Championships over Ashton Mutuwa (EGY) with Modou Faye (SEN) and Justin Van Zyl (RSA) taking bronze.

Pound for Pound

#23-#25 (Shamil Mamedov, Islam Dudaev, Gadzhimurad Rashidov) were dropped from the rankings due to Mamedov’s loss to #9 (65) Abdulmazhid Kudiev (TJK) at the Yasar Dogu and have been replaced with 2022 97 KG world champion Kyle Snyder (USA), 2023 70 KG world champion Zain Retherford (USA) and 2024 European champ #1 (92) Feyzullah Akturk (TUR).

Seth PetarraApril 4, 2024