Match of the Week: David Baev vs. Razambek Zhamalov

For the inaugural match of the week, we go back to last year’s 70 KG national finals between then U-23 World runner-up David Baev of North Ossetia-Alania and Junior World silver medalist Razambek Zhamalov of Dagestan. At the time, both wrestlers had made an immediate impact on the senior level but have since followed different trajectories.

Zhamalov first gained notoriety from his run to the 61 KG title at the 2016 Intercontinental Cup where he defeated 2x World medalist Daulet Niyazbekov of Kazakhstan at only 18 years old. It wouldn’t be until 2018 that he began to separate himself from the pack domestically when he secured a 5th place finish at Senior Russian Nationals losing in the semifinals to eventual world champion Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov (Dagestan) and again in an electrifying bronze medal match to Baev. 

Baev’s path was different from that of Zhamalov as he maintained a consistent senior level presence throughout. Baev, a 2014 Cadet World champion and 2016 Junior European champion, stunned returning world champion Magomed Kurbanaliev of Dagestan in the quarterfinals in a 10-10 match that put him into the semis opposite Magomed Dibirgadzhiev, another Dagestani. In yet another heart pounding match, it would be Baev that would come up short this turn as Dibirgadzhiev capitalized off an upper body counter on Baev to win 17-13. Baev would rebound to win bronze over returning medalist Alibek Akbaev and would return the next year as one of the front runners to take home gold. In what would be one of the most talent packed repechage brackets in recent memory, Baev lost to eventual national and World champion Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov and advance through to his bronze medal match against Razambek Zhamalov by defeating 2016 65 KG Olympic champion Soslan Ramonov of North Ossetia-Alania.

In their first encounter, it would be the senior Baev who emerged victorious against the upstart Zhamalov. Both men had made major statements in their performances at the 2018 Russian National championships.

To date the record between the two wrestlers stands at 2-1, with Baev taking the most recent win in the 2019 National finals and the 2018 National bronze medal match, and Zhamalov defeating him in the 2019 Yarygin bronze medal match. With Zhamalov having moved up to 74 KG, where he is currently ranked third domestically and sixth internationally, and Baev staying at 70 KG and likely to cut down to 65 KG, it would appear that we won’t be able to see these two talents meet again.

Even with that being the case, a match like the two had in last year’s 70 KG finals will always be remembered as one of the finest displays of technique, athleticism, and determination the sport has ever seen.