2023 70 KG Russian Nationals Preview

Day one of Russian Nationals goes down today and the first three weights that are competing are 57, 65, and 70 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 70 kilogram weight class headlined by the dominance of 2021 70 KG Senior World bronze medalist #2 Evgheni Zherbaev (RUS). Notable athletes not competing are two-time 70 KG world champion #1 Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov, returning Russian Nationals runner-up #7 Anzor Zakuev, two-time Russian Nationals champion #9 Israil Kasumov, and 2022 Russian Nationals bronze medalist #10 Viktor Rassadin.

Title Contenders

#2 Evgheni Zherbaev- 2x Russian nationals bronze medalist (‘15,’19), 2019 70 KG Kunaev champion, 2018 70 KG Korkin champion, 2020 70 KG Yarygin bronze, 2019 70 KG Alans bronze, 2019 70 KG Korkin champion, 2019 70 KG President Cup of Buryatia champion, 2016 70 KG Korkin champion, 2017 70 KG Shamil Nusuev tournament runner-up, 2021 70 KG Russian Nationals runner-up, 2021 70 KG Russian Nationals wrestle-off’s winner, 2021 70 KG World bronze medalist,  2022 74 KG Alexander Krylov Memorial champion, 2022 70 KG Dmitri Korkin Memorial champion, 2023 70 KG Yarygin champion, 2023 70 KG Baikal Open runner-up, Key Wins: David Baev (2017 70 KG Shamil Nusuev tournament, 2021 70 KG Russian Nationals wrestle-offs), Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov (2017 70 KG Shamil Nusuev tournament), Soslan Ramonov (2018 70 KG Korkin), Khetik Tsabolov (2015 70 KG Russian Nationals), Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (2015 70 KG Russian Nationals), Israil Kasumov (2016 Korkin, 2019 Russian nationals bronze medal match, 2022 74 KG Alexander Krylov Memorial Tournament finals, 2021 70 KG Russian Nationals wrestle-off’s), #3 Cherman Valiev (2019 70 KG President Cup of Buryatia, 2021 70 KG Russian Nationals), Viktor Rassadin (2021 70 KG Russian Nationals), Aznaur Tavaev (2021 70 KG Russian Nationals), Inalbek Sheriev (2023 70 KG Yarygin finals), Anzor Zakuev (2022 70 KG Dmitri Korkin finals, 2023 70 KG Yarygin), Konstantin Kaprynov (2023 70 KG Yarygin), Syrbaz Talgat (2021 70 KG World Championships), Arman Andreasyan (2021 70 KG World Championships bronze medal match). Key Losses: Zaurbek Sidakov (2016 Russian Nationals, 2017 Russian Nationals), David Baev (2019 Russian Nationals, 2020 Yarygin), Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov (2015 70 KG Russian nationals, 2023 70 KG Iranian Pro League), Ramazan Ramazanov (2019 70 KG Alans), Soslan Ramonov (2018 70 KG Russian Nationals), Israil Kasumov (2021 70 KG Russian National finals), Konstantin Kaprynov (2023 70 KG Baikal Open), Ilyas Bekbulatov (2022 70 KG PWL3 showcase match), Ernazar Akmataliev (2021 70 KG World Championships semifinals)

#3 Inalbek Sheriev- Two-time 70 KG U23 Russian Nationals champion (2020, 2021), 2021 70 KG U23 European Championships bronze medalist, 2023 70 KG Yarygin runner-up, 2023 70 KG 2nd Ivan Poddubny Champion, 2022 70 KG All-Russian Spartakiad bronze medalist, 2022 70 KG Soslan Andiev Memorial Tournament champion Key Wins: Alan Gogaev (2021 70 KG Russian Pro League quarterfinals), Kurban Shiraev (2023 70 KG Yarygin), Alan Kudzoev (2023 70 KG Yarygin), Israil Kasumov (2023 70 KG Yarygin), Ramazan Gadzhimagomedov (2022 70 KG 2nd Ivan Poddubny Finals), Ruslan Zhendaev (2022 70 KG All-Russian Spartakiad bronze medal match), Ibragim Abdurakhmanov (2022 70 KG Soslan Andiev Memorial Tournament finals). Key Losses: Evgheni Zherbaev (2023 70 KG Yarygin finals), Ernazar Akmataliev (2022 70 KG 2nd Ivan Poddubbny showcase match), David Baev (2021 70 KG Russian Pro League semifinals), Dzhabrail Gadzhiev (2021 70 KG U23 European Championships), Kurban Shiraev (2022 70 KG Russian Nationals RD16, 2022 70 KG All-Russian Spartakiad quarterfinals), 

#8 Kurban Shiraev- 2018 65 KG Alans champion, 2019 65 KG Junior world runner-up, 2019 65 KG Alans runner-up, 2020 65 KG Yarygin champion, 2020 65 KG European champion, 2020 70 KG Russian Nationals bronze medalist, 2021 70 KG Yarygin champion, 2021 70 KG Umakhanov Tournament champion, 2022 70 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament bronze medalist, 2023 70 KG Yarygin bronze medalist, 2022 70 KG Russian Nationals bronze medalist, 2021 70 KG Russian Nationals bronze medalist Key Wins: Soslan Ramonov (2020 Yarygin finals), David Baev (2021 70 KG Yarygin), James Green (2022 70 KG Yarygin), Viktor Rassadin (2018 65 KG Alans, 2021 70 KG Umakhanov Tournament finals, 2021 70 KG Yarygin finals), Israil Kasumov (2023 70 KG Yarygin bronze medal match) Naachyn Kuular (2018 Alans, 2020 Yarygin),  Artur Badtiev (2018 Alans), Arpak Sat (2020 70 KG Russian Nationals bronze medal match), Muslim Saidulaev (2019 65 KG Junior Russian Nationals finals), Sayin Kazyryk (2019 65 KG Alans), Ali Rahimzada (2020 65 KG European Championships), Akhmed Chakaev (2021 65 KG Russian Nationals), Gadzhimurad Omarov (2021 65 KG Russian Nationals), Alan Kudzoev (2021 70 KG Umakhanov Tournament), Inalbek Sheriev (2022 70 KG All-Russian Spartakiad quarterfinals, 2022 70 KG Russian Nationals rd16), Zagir Shakhiev (2022 70 KG All-Russian Spartakiad finals) Key Losses: Abdullagadzhi Magomedov (2019 65 KG Intercontinental Cup qualification round), Israel Kasumov (2023 70 KG Yarygin), David Baev (2020 70 KG Russian Nationals, 2021 Russian Pro League), Soslan Ramonov (2019 Alans finals), Muslim Saidulaev (2018 Alans finals), Amirhosseini Maghsoudi (2019 Junior world finals), Magomet Evloev (2022 74 KG Dmitri Korkin Tournament), Anzor Zakuev (2022 70 KG Russian Nationals), Viktor Rassadin (2022 70 KG Yarygin RD16), Rezuan Kazharov (2021 70 KG U23 Russian Nationals), Ruslan Zhendaev (2022 70 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament)v (2021 70 KG Russian Nationals wrestle-off’s), Inalbek Sheriev (2023 70 KG Yarygin), Magomed Evloev (2022 74 KG Korkin).

Medal Contenders

#4 Khabib Zavurbekov-2023 70 KG Russian University Nationals champion, 2021 65 KG Cadet World bronze medalist. Key Wins: Sarmat Bestaev (2023 70 KG Russian University Nationals finals), Aghanazar Novruzov (2021 65 KG Cadet World bronze medal match) Key Losses: Meyer Shapiro (2021 65 KG Cadet World Championships quarterfinals).

#5 Sarmat Bestaev- 2023 70 KG Russian University Nationals runner-up Key Wins: Konstantin Kaprynov (2023 70 KG Russian University Nationals). Key Losses: Khabib Zavurbekov (2023 70 KG Russian University Nationals finals),

#6 Konstantin Kaprynov- 2022 70 KG Korkin bronze medalist, 2023 70 KG Yarygin bronze medalist, 2023 70 KG Baikal Open champion. Key Wins: Evgheni Zherbaev (2023 70 KG Baikal Open finals), Anzor Zakuev (2023 70 KG Yarygin bronze medal match), Israel Kasumov (2022 70 KG Korkin bronze medal match). Key Losses: Gadzhimurad Rashidov (2021 65 KG Russian Nationals qualification round), Viktor Rassadin (2022 70 KG Russian Nationals RD 16), Evgheni Zherbaev (2022 70 KG Dmitri Korkin Tournament, 2023 70 KG Ivan Yarygin Memorial), Zagir Shakhiev (2022 70 KG All-Russian Spartakiad qualification round)

Dark Horse

Aznaur Tavaev- 2018 65 KG Junior European champion, 2019 65 KG Ali Aliev champion, 2019 Sargsyan Cup champion, 2019 Intercontinental Cup champion, 2019 Kunaev champ, 2019 Ugra Cup bronze, 2021 Oleg Dukanov 74 KG bronze, 2021 74 KG Yarygin champion, 2021 74 KG Umakhanov 5th place finisher. Key Wins: Evgeni Zherbaev (2019 70 KG Kunaev finals), Islam Dudaev (2019 Sargsyan), Alan Kudzoev (2022 70 KG Russian Nationals), #13 Artur Badtiev (2019 Sargsyan), Frank Molinaro (2019 Intercontinental Cup finals), Darsam Dzhaparov (2021 Oleg Dukanov memorial), Nikita Suchkov (2021 74 KG Yarygin finals), Magomed Dibirgadzhiev (2021 74 KG Yarygin), Nurkhoza Kaipanov (2022 74 KG Yarygin), Saipulla Alibulatov (2022 74 KG Yarygin), Magomed Abdulkadyrov (2022 74 KG Yarygin) Key Losses: Nikita Suchkov (2021 Oleg Dukanov memorial), Cherman Valiev (2022 74 KG Yarygin), Akhmad Shakhbanov (2021 74 KG Umakhanov Tournament), Islambek Orozbekov (2021 74 KG Umakhanov bronze medal match), Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov (2022 74 KG Yarygin bronze medal match), Arpak Sat (2020 Yarygin), Alan Gogaev (2019 Ugra Cup), Viktor Rassadin (2019 65 KG Ali Aliev, 2021 70 KG Russian Nationals repechage, 2022 70 KG Russian Nationals quarterfinals), Inalbek Sheriev (2023 70 KG Ali Aliev), Evgheni Zherbaev (2021 70 KG Russian Nationals).

The Breakdown
On the top bracket, three time Russian Nationals bronze medalist #8 Kurban Shiraev has a clear path to the semifinals with a possible challenge in the form of the formidable Chechen Magomed-Emi Eitemirov in the quarterfinals. The bottom portion of the top bracket presents more intrigue. #3 Inalbek Sheriev is the man to beat but is pushed by three past Russian Nationals medalists in arpak Sat, Ruslan Zhendaev, and Abdulla Akhmedov along with #5 Sarmat Bestaev. I see Inalbek Sheriev winning his opening match against Abdulla Akhmedov and following it with a win in the in the round of 16 against Ruslan Zhendaev. In the quarterfinals, I predict Inalbek Sheriev winning a tight match against #5 Sarmat Bestaev to make the semifinals. While Sheriev does own the most recent win over #8 Kurban Shiraev, history shows Shiraev to be the better man (wins at 2022 70 KG All-Russian Spartakiad and 2022 70 KG Russian Nationals) and I see him reversing Sheriev’s win from the Yarygin to make his first Russian National finals match after finishing bronze for the past three years.

The bottom bracket is held down by #2 Evgheni Zherbaev who has tech falled every opponent he has faced in Russia going back to the 2022 Alexander Krylov Memorial. Zherbaev’s hit list has seen him tech fall the likes of #3 Inalbek Sheriev, #6 Konstantin Kaprynov, #7 Anzor Zakuev, and #9 Israil Kasumov in the past year and pick up titles at the 2022 74 KG Alexander Krylov Memorial, 2022 70 KG Dmitri Korkin Memorial Tournament, and the 2023 70 KG Yarygin. As dominant as Zherbaev has been, the bracket he has to make the finals poses some interesting challenges for him. 

On the top half of the bottom bracket is #6 Konstantin Kaprynov, who upset #2 Evgheni Zherbaev in the finals of the Baikal Open this year and took bronze at the Yarygin and University Nationals. Kaprynov has an absolutely treacherous bracket that will see him first tested in the round of 16 against 2021 74 KG Yarygin champion Aznaur Tavaev. Tavaev is an extremely dangerous opponent with big move potential and could upset Kaprynov but given Kaprynov’s wins this past year over the likes of #2 Evgheni Zherbaev, #7 Anzor Zakuev and #9 Israil Kasumov, I will take Kaprynov to make the quarters. In the quarterfinals, Kaprynov has another dangerous and unpredictable foe in 2023 70 KG Russian University Nationals champion #4 Khabib Zavurbekov. Zavurbekov’s unconventional style heavily dependent on scrambling has the makings of a bracket buster but I think Kaprynov’s slip up at University Nationals was that and he will be the better man against Zavurbekov and make the semifinals.

Getting to the man to beat, the first match to keep an eye on in #2 Evgeni Zherbaev’s bracket is between Russian University Natinonals runner-up #5 Sarmat Bestaev and Zagir Shakhiev in the qualification round. While Shakhiev is a 2021 Senior World champion at 65 KG and took silver at the All-Russian Spartakiad in 2022 at 70 KG, he has been struggling as of late and I believe Bestaev beats him here to continue the momentum he earned after upsetting Konstantin Kaprynov at Russian University Nationals. I see Zherbaev beating Bestaev in the quarterfinals to set up a rematch from the Baikal Open against Kaprynov which he wins to make the Russian Nationals finals.

2023 70 KG Russian Nationals Predictions

GOLD: #1 Evgheni Zherbaev over #8 Kurban Shiraev

BRONZE: #3 Inalbek Sheriev over Magomed-Emi Eitemirov

BRONZE: #6 Konstantin Kaprynov over #5 Sarmat Bestaev