February 2021 Men's Freestyle International Rankings
(Photo by Hunter Martin/NCAA Photos via Getty Images
57 KG
Nick Suriano (USA) makes the biggest impact in the rankings, as he debuts at #11 after his championship performance at the Henri Deglane Grand Prix that saw him upset 2019 European games champion #14 Makhir Amiraslanov (AZE), 2019 Dan Kolov champion Beka Bujiashvili (GEO) and Islam Bazarganov (AZE). Islam Bazarganov (AZE) is another guy who made a huge statement with his performance at the Henri Deglane Grand Prix by upsetting #8 Thomas Gilman (USA) 6-6 in the semis before losing a lopsided 7-1 match to Suriano. Bazarganov debuts in the rankings at #13. Returning to the rankings at #16 was 3x European champion Giorgi Edisherashvili (AZE) after a win in repechage over #14 Makhir Amiraslanov (AZE). Taking bronze at the Henri Deglane Grand Prix was #9 Thomas Gilman (USA) and Beka Bujiashvili (GEO).
#11 Bekhbayar Erdenebat (MGL), a 2x world bronze medalist for Mongolia, was removed from the rankings due to inactivity. #14 Seth Gross (USA) competed twice in January defeating Zane Richards (USA) up at 61 KG and losing by tech fall to 2019 65 KG U.S. Open champion Joey McKenna (USA). Winning Belarusian nationals was 3x Russian nationals bronze medalist Aryan Tyutrin (RUS) over Dmitry Shamelo (BLR) with Danilo Shirokov (BLR) and Kirill Propokov (BLR) taking bronze. Winning the Dagestani freestyle wrestling championships was Magomed Gazigadanov (RUS) 15-2 over Ramazan Bagavdinov (RUS) with bronze medalists being Magomed Gadzhiev (RUS) 15-2 over Khusein Yashirov (RUS) and Ibadula Batyrbiev (RUS) 3-2 over Magomedtagir Ramazanov (RUS). Taking gold at Indian nationals was Pankaj (IND).
UPDATE: Thomas GIlman got moved down to #14 from #8 for his loss to Islam Bazarganov and for the fact that due to the COVID-19 epidemic there hasn’t been a slew of international competitions to compete at and insulate a record, losses hit harder because there aren’t as many opportunities to get ranked wins. Gilman’s last ranked wins were in January and March of 2020 at the Matteo Pellicone and Pan Am OG Qualifier over #16 Joe Colon (USA), Daton Fix (USA), and #6 Reineri Andreu Ortega (CUB). But in the mean time, he’s taken unranked losses to Seth Gross and to Islam Bazarganov and hasn’t notched a top 10 win which puts him firmly in the lower end of the top 20 based off his performance. This happens every year for Gilman and he’ll more than likely rebound if he does come out on top back into the top 10 if he comes out on top at the Olympic trials.
Because Gilman got put into the lower half of the top 20, the Azeri trio of Khasalov, Edisherashvili, and Amiraslanov also got moved around a bit with Khasalov falling two spots to #15, Edisherashvili taking the #16 spot, and Amiraslanov falling three spots to #17.
61 KG
#4 Beka Lomtadze (GEO) won the Henri Deglane Grand Prix over Ayub Musaev (GER). Taking bronze were Khamzat Arsamerzouev (FRA) and Leomid Colesnic (MDA). Winning Indian nationals at 61 KG was Ravinder Ravinder (IND), a 2019 U-23 world runner-up who returns to the rankings at #16.
2019 57 KG Russian national champion Ramiz Gamzatov (RUS) debuts in the 61 KG rankings at #17 with a title at the Dagestan freestyle wrestling championships over 2019 57 KG Russian nationals bronze medalist Khasanhusein Badrudinov (RUS). Taking bronze at the Dagestani freestyle wrestling championships were Dzhabrail Gairbekov (RUS) 9-8 over Abubakar Mutaliev (RUS) and Musa Mekhitkhanov (RUS) 4-2 over Rakhman Mintullaev (RUS).
Asadulla Lachinov (BLR) won Belarusian nationals over Evgeny Rebikov (BLR) with Magsad Hasanov (BLR) and Dimchik Rinchinov (BLR) taking bronze. #9 Augustin Destribats (ARG), a 2020 individual world cup bronze medalist, moved up to 65 KG where he took fifth at the Henri Deglane Grand Prix after losses to #18 (65) James Green (USA) and forfeiting to Vladimir Khinchegashvili (GEO).
65 KG
Yianni Diakomihalis (USA) avenged a 2020 loss to 2019 European Games runner-up Vladimir Khinchegashvili (GEO) in dominant fashion with a 13-2 win in the semifinals of the Henri Deglane Grand Prix. In the finals, Diakomihalis notched his third win over 2017 70 KG world runner-up James Green (USA) 5-0. Green, a 2x world medalist for the U.S. at 70 kilograms, made a strong run to the finals with wins over 2020 Individual World Cup medalist #9 (61) Augustin Destribats (ARG) and 2019 U-23 world champion Turan Bayramov (AZE). Taking bronze at the Henri Deglane Grand Prix was Turan Bayramov (AZE) and Vladimir Khinchegashvili (GEO).
For avenging his loss to Khinchegashvili coupled with his multiple wins over Green, #2 Musukaev, #6 Bajrang, and #12 Zain Retherford, Yianni Diakomihalis (USA) returns to the rankings at #12. #9 Zagir Shakhiev (RUS) lost in the 70 KG finals of the Dagestani freestyle wrestling championships to #11 (70) Ayatulla Barkakadiev (RUS). Taking gold at the 65 KG Dagestani freestyle wrestling championships was Abdulmazid Kudiev (RUS) 9-3 over Gadzhimurad Omarov (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Dagestani freestyle wrestling championships were Ramazan Gadzhimuradov (RUS) 14-3 over Magomed Magomedov (RUS) and Zakarya Abdusalamov (RUS) 17-6 over Murad Osmanov (RUS).
Taking gold at Belarusian nationals was 2020 European runner-up Nyurgun Skryabin (BLR) over Anatoly Gromyko (BLR). Bronze medalists were Andrey Bekrenev (BLR) and Vladislav Koiko (BLR). Winning Indian nationals in the absence of Bajrang was Rohit Singh (IND).
70 KG
#2 Ilyas Bekbulatov (UZB) took the number one spot after a strong showing at the inaugural Russian pro league event where he beat Iman Ganishov (RUS), #20 Anzor Zakuev (RUS), and 2019 world champion #4 David Baev (RUS). Other key results from the Inalbek Sheriev (RUS) 6-1 over #13 (65) Alan Gogaev (RUS) in the quarterfinals and #4 David Baev (RUS) winning 8-4 over #5 Kurban Shiraev (RUS) in the quarters. Along with Bekbulatov taking the #1 spot, Inalbek Sheriev (RUS) debuts in the rankings at #9 while Alan Gogaev returns to 70 at the #10 spot.
Another new addition to the rankings was Ayatulla Barkakadiev (RUS) who clocks in at #11 after upsetting 2020 Russian nationals bronze medalist #9 (65) Zagir Shakhiev (RUS) in the finals of the Dagestani freestyle wrestling championships. Bronze medalists at the Dagestani freestyle wrestling championships were Abulagadzhi Magomedov (RUS) 6-4 over Magomedarip Shamkalov (RUS) and Shamil Huseynov (RUS) 10-0 over Akhmed Kasumov (RUS).
Winning gold at the Henri Deglane Grand Prix was 2018 world bronze medalist #16 Zurab Iakobishvili (GEO) by tech fall over 2014 65 KG world bronze medalist Mihail Sava (MDA). George Bucur (ROU) took bronze. Winning Belarusian nationals at 70 KG was 2017 61 KG Junior world champion Abdulla Akhmedov (BLR) over Alexander Kurishta (BLR). Bronze medalists at the Belarusian national championships were Alexander Gulnik (BLR) and Nikita Demchenko (BLR). Taking gold at the Indian national championships was Vishal Kaliraman (IND).
74 KG
#4 Jordan Burroughs (USA) bumped up to 86 kilograms to take on 2018 world champion #1 (86) David Taylor (USA) and lost in a 4-4 decision making the series between them now stand at a 4-1 lead Burroughs with wins at the 2013 U.S. Open and 2014 U.S. finals and two matches at the 2014 world team trials finals. There is no change to either man’s rankings from their match
The event with the most ranked competition that took place was the Oleg Dukanov tournament that saw two time Russian nationals bronze medalist #12 Nikita Suchkov (RUS) take gold with a 5-4 win over Magomed Abdulkadyrov (RUS).
The Dukanov boasted an incredibly deep field with the likes of Suchkov, #9 (79) Kakhaber Khubezhty (RUS), two time Russian nationals bronze medalist #6 (70) Evgeni Zherbaev (RUS), 2019 Intercontinental Cup champion #14 (70) Aznaur Tavaev (RUS), 2017 70 KG national runner-up Magomed Dibirgadzhiev (RUS), Murad Kuramagomedov (HUN), 2019 Ali Aliyev champion #18 Darsam Dzhaparov (RUS), and 2019 70 KG Kadyrov Cup champion Rasul Arsanaliev (RUS).
Magomed Abdulkadyrov (RUS) made the biggest statement in this field, even with his runner-up finish to Suchkov, as he was able to upset past Russian nationals finalists #9 (79) Kakhaber Khubezhty (RUS) and Magomed Dibirgadzhiev (RUS) to make the finals. Suchkov’s finals routes saw him defeat #14 (70) Aznaur Tavaev (RUS), #18 Darsam Dzhaparov (RUS) and Soslan Tigiev (RUS). Other key matches of note that took place were Magomed Dibirgadzhiev (RUS) tech falling #6 (70) Evgeni Zherbaev (RUS) 10-0 in the quarterfinals, #14 (70) Aznar Tavaev (RUS) tech falling #18 Darsam Dzhaparov (RUS) 10-0 for bronze and #9 (79) Kakhaber Khubezhty (RUS) pinning Magomed Dibirgadzhiev (RUS) for bronze.
The aftermath from the Dukanov is that Magomed Abdulkadyrov (RUS) debuts in the rankings at #13 for his wins over #9 (79) Kakhaber Khubezhty (RUS) and Magomed Dibirgadzhiev and Khubezhty and Dibirgadzhiev are in the rankings at #14 and #18 respectively. Dibirgadzhiev followed up 5th place finish at the Dukanov with a gold medal in the 79 kilogram division at the Dagestani freestyle wrestling championships with a 3-2 win over Magomedmurad Dadaev (RUS) but as it stands now, Dibirgadzhiev will be ranked at 74 kilograms. #6 (70) Evgeni Zherbaev (RUS) and #14 (70) Aznaur Tavaev (RUS) are dropped from the 70 KG rankings as they have moved up to 74 kilograms.
Taking gold at the Dagestani freestyle wrestling championships at 74 kilograms was Rasul Shapiev (RUS) over Khalid Yeberdiev (RUS) by a 10-4 decision, and bronze medalists were Mohammad Nasirkhaev (RUS) by 10-0 tech fall over Magomedkhabib Ibragimov (RUS) and Akhyad Khasiev (RUS) by pin over Saypulla Alibulatov (RUS).
A year and one day later after his last international title at 74 kilograms at the Matteo Pellicone tournament, two time 79 kilogram world champion #5 Kyle Dake (USA) took gold at the Henri Deglane Grand Prix over 70 KG 2020 Georgian national champion David Tlashadze (GEO). Dake’s best win at the competition was a 7-0 victory over 2019 European Games bronze medalist Khadzhimurad Gadzhiev (AZE). Bronze medalists at the Henri Deglane Grand Prix were Khadzhimurad Gadzhiev (AZE) and Mitch Finesilver (ISR). There was no change in Dake’s ranking after his title at the Deglane.
2020 79 KG European champion #2 (79) Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (BLR) cut down to 74 kilograms where he took gold at the Belarusian national championships over #15 Azamat Nurikov (BLR). David Alizalov (BLR) and Alexander Pavlyuchenko (BLR) took bronze. For his win, the 79 KG Individual world cup bronze medalist Kadimagomedov returns to the 74 kilogram rankings at #11 while Nurikov fell four spots to #19 with the inclusion of Abdulkadyrov, Khubezhty, and Dibirgadzhiev coupled with his loss to Kadimagomedov.
Sandeep Singh (IND) won Indian nationals over Jitender Jitender (IND). 2015 world bronze medalist Narsingh Yadav (IND) competed but was eliminated by Amit Dhankar (IND) and failed to place.
79 KG
January saw a mass exodus with #2 Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (BLR) and #9 Kakhaber Khubezhty (RUS) moving down to 74 KG, #3 Jabrayil Hasanov (AZE) retiring, #5 Amanulla Gadzhimagomedov, #7 Khalil Aminov (RUS), #10 Gadzhi Nabiev (RUS) and #14 Magomed Magamaev (RUS) moving up to 86 KG and #20 Adam Khasiev (RUS) being removed due to inactivity.
This allowed for an influx of new guys to come in. The new addition to the top 10 are 2017 U-23 world champion Nika Kentchadze (GEO) at #8 for winning the Henri Deglane Grand Prix over Saifedine Alekma (FRA), bronze medalists were Maxim Vasilioglu (ROU) and Evgheni Nedealco (MDA). Other new guys; #13 Rashid Kurbanov, who took 5th at 2019 world’s and is a 2013 world bronze medalist at 74, Ernak Kardanov at #14 who has a win over Gadzhi Nabiyev at the 2019 Ali Aliev, Ali Savadkouhi (IRI) at #15 who got bronze at Asian championships in 2020 and won Trials in Iran, Hamid Zarinpeykar at #16 for finishing runner-up at world team trials in Iran, Magomedmurad Dadaev (RUS) at #17, a 2019 70 KG Medved champ who was runner-up at the Dagestani freestyle wrestling championships to #18 Magomed Dibirgadzhiev (RUS), #18 Magomednabi Magomedov (RUS) who took bronze at the Dagestani freestyle wrestling championships over Junior Russian national champion #19 Kamil Dalgatov (RUS) and Maxim Vasilioglu (ROU) who’s in for taking bronze at the Henri Deglane Grand Prix
Winning Belarusian nationals was Andrei Karpach (BLR) over Surkho Rashitkhanov (BLR). Bronze medalists were Dmitry Denisenya (BLR) and Yegor Akelich (BLR). The winner of Indian nationals was Rahul Rati (IND). Winning the Dagestani freestyle wrestling championships was #18 (74) Magomed Dibirgadzhiev (RUS) over 3-2 over #17 Magomedmurad Dadaev (RUS) in the finals. Bronze medalists were #18 Magomednabi Magomedov (RUS) 6-5 over #19 Kamil Dalgatov (RUS) and Atam Shikhmuradov (RUS) 4-3 over Magomedali Musalaev (RUS).
86 KG
#1 David Taylor (USA) avenged three past losses to five time World/Olympic champion #4 (74) Jordan Burroughs (USA) with a 4-4 win. His win does nothing to either man’s standings in their respective rankings. #5 Magomed Ramazanov (RUS) was impressive in his run to a title at Henri Deglane Grand Prix with wins over 2020 Matteo Pellicone champion Zahid Valencia (USA), 2019 79 KG Junior world runner-up Abubakar Abakarov (AZE), 2x World/Olympic bronze medalist #13 Dato Marsagishvili (GEO) and Polish national champion Sebastian Jezierzanski (POL). Jezierzanski’s best win on his path to the finals was over 2019 world bronze medalist Stefan Reichmuth (SUI). The consolation bracket saw strong performances from Zahid Valencia (USA) who pinned 2x World/Olympic bronze medalist Dato Marsagishvili (GEO) and returned to the rankings at #11 and Abubakar Abakarov (AZE) beat 2019 world bronze medalist Stefan Reichmuth (SUI) by a 6-4 score.
2019 79 KG world bronze medalist #10 (79) Gadzhi Nabiev (RUS) took gold at the Dagestani freestyle wrestling championships with a 5-0 win over 2019 Alans champion #7 (79) Khalil Aminov (RUS). Taking bronze were 2020 Russian nationals bronze medalist #5 (79) Amanulla Gadzhimagomedov (RUS) 4-3 over 2020 Junior Russian national champion #14 (79) Magomed Magomaev (RUS) and Gazi Khalilov (RUS) 10-0 over Dabir Zagirov (RUS). None of the high ranking 79’s that competed at the Dagestani freestyle wrestling championships qualified for the 86 KG rankings, but their move up did remove them from the 79 KG rankings.
With 2020 European bronze medalist #17 Rasul Tikhaev (BLR) and 4x World/Olympic medalist #18 Ali Shabanov (BLR) absent, 2018 U-23 European bronze medalist Raman Chytadze (BLR) won gold at Belarusian nationals over Artem Rudenok (BLR). Bronze medalists were Alexander Velesko (BLR) and Robert Fedorov (BLR). Winning Indian nationals was Pravin Chahar (IND) as 2019 world silver medalist Deepak Punia (IND) did not compete.
UPDATE: Originally I had Zahid at #11 on his return, but I moved him to #9, put #9 Bo Nickal to #12, and #10 Arsenali Musalaliev to #14 while bumping up #12 Fatih Erdin to #10 and #14 Myles Amine to #11. The reason for this is that Zahid has more of an 86 KG resume than Bo by having wins over #12 Erdin last year at the Matteo pellicone, Alex Dieringer (USA), and a H2H over #13 Dato Marsagishvili (GEO) at the Henri Deglane while Bo’s only 86 KG win is Alex Dieringer (USA) and his inclusion is more based off his 2019 U-23 world’s run where he beat #4 (92) Batyrbek Tsakulov (RUS) and 2018 92 KG U-23 world champ Shamil Zubairov (AZE) who beat 2019 world bronze #10(92) Irakli Mtsituri (GEO) in 2019 at the Tbilisi GP and Mtsituri beat #13 Dato Marsagishvili (GEO) in the Georgian national finals. Because Nickal’s resume goes farther off from 86, he gets behind gys like Erdin and Amine who have more head to head matches and wins. #10 Arsenali Musalaliev (RUS) got bumped down in the rankings to #14 because I looked back at his career and his best since 2017 over #3 Dauren Kurugliev (RUS) has been #15 Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov (RUS) and he hasn’t notched a win in the top ten since November 2018 when he beat 2018 world rep Gadzhi Radzhabov (BLR) at the Intercontinental Cup when Radzhabov was ranked #9 at the time.
92 KG
2020 86 KG Individual World Cup runner-up #11 (86) Zbigniew Baranowski (POL) took the Henri Deglane Grand Prix title with wins over Osman Nurmagomedov (AZE) and 2019 world bronze medalist #7 Irakli Mtsituri (GEO). Osman Nurmagomedov (AZE) was a runner-up to Baranowski and upset #7 Irakli Mtsituri (GEO) 11-0 in pool action. Baranowski and Nurmagomedov slot in at the #7 and #9 spots in the rankings. Zagid Karimov (RUS) debuts in the rankings at #17 after winning both the Junior and Senior Dagestani freestyle wrestling championships. Runner-up to Karimov was 2020 86 KG Yarygin bronze medalist Magomedsharif Biikaev (RUS) who takes the #18 slot, and Shamil Alibegov (RUS) 7-0 over Mansur Ramazanov (RUS) and Gadzhimagomed Nazhmudinov (RUS) 6-2 over Ashkab Sadulaev (RUS).
Avenging last year’s finals loss, #20 Gadzhi Radzhabov (BLR) beat 2020 Individual World Cup 5th place finisher Arkady Pogosyan (BLR) to take gold at the Belarusian national championships. Bronze medalists were 2016 Olympian Omargadzhi Magomedov (RUS) and Yaroslav Iodkovsky (BLR). The Indian national champion at 92 kilograms was Pravin (IND).
97 KG
#6 Kyle Snyder (USA) took gold at the Henri Deglane Grand Prix with a dominant 15-3 tech fall over 2019 125 KG European Games runner-up Givi Matcharashvili (GEO) who upset 2019 world runner-up Sharif Sharifov (AZE) 8-3 in pool action. Radoslaw Baran (POL) took bronze with a forfeit win over Sharif Sharifov (AZE). Snyder keeps his #6 spot, while Matcharashvili’s win over the returning Sharifov lands him at #10 and Sharifov is welcomed back to the rankings at #11.
#2 J’den Cox (USA) won two matches this month over U.S. Open runner-ups Hayden Zillmer (USA) and Nate Jackson (USA). Cox stays steady at #2.
Tazhudin Mukhtarov (RUS) won the Dagestani freestyle wrestling championships 6-3 over Gadzhimagomed Tazhudinov (RUS). Taking bronze were Suleiman Omarov (RUS) 7-0 over Magomedarip Abdulkhalikov (RUS) and Magomedrasul Magomedov (RUS) 2-0 over Ali Aliev (RUS).
2020 Individual world cup runner-up #8 Aleksandr Hushtyn (BLR) won Belarusian nationals over Vasily Pavlyuchenko (BLR). Taking bronze were Alexander Parkhomenko (BLR) and Vladislav Kozlov (BLR). Winning Indian nationals was Satywart Kadian (IND).
125 KG
Three time world champion #3 Geno Petriashvili (GEO) took gold at the Henri Deglane Grand Prix over 2020 Individual world Cup runner-up #11 Robert Baran (POL) with a 7-2 win. Baran beat two time world bronze medalist Nick Gwiazdowski (USA) 5-5 on criteria. Taking bronze at heavyweight was Nick Gwiazdowski (USA) with a 10-0 win over Asghar Laghari (GER) and Kamil Kosciolek (POL) with a 10-2 win over Gennadij Cudinovic (GER).
Taking gold at the Dagestani freestyle wrestling championships was Arsen Bilalov (RUS) with a 2-1 win over Magomed Magomedov (RUS). Bronze medalists were Sharap Alikhanov (RUS) 5-5 over Gazimagomedov Nazhmudinov (RUS) and Gamzat Alizhudinov (RUS) 10-0 over Musa Kuramagomedov (RUS). Winning Belarusian nationals was 2020 Individual World cup bronze medalist #9 Dzianis Khramiankov (BLR) over 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Ibragim Saidov (BLR). Bronze medalists were Alexander Lakeenov (BLR) and 2020 EIWA runner-up for Harvard Yaraslau Slavikovsky (BLR). Winning Indian nationals was Sumit Sumit (IND). There were no changes to the heavyweight rankings from the action in January.
Pound-for-Pound
Ilyas Bekbulatov (UZB) returns to the pound for pound at #16 for winning the inaugural Russian pro league tournament over #19 David Baev (RUS). #9 David Taylor (USA) beat #11 Jordan Burroughs (USA) but like their respective weight class rankings, it does nothing to the pound for pound.