May 2023 International Wrestling Rankings
57 KG
#1 Zavur Uguev (RUS) won his showcase match against 2022 57 KG Senior World Champion #3 Zelimkhan Abakarov (ALB) 3-0 in the marquee matchup of PWL 4. 2022 Senior World bronze medalist sixth ranked Stevan Micic (SRB) has been removed from the rankings, due to moving up to 65 KG where he lost in the round of 16 at the European Championships to Khamzat Arsamerzouev (FRA).
Two-time Russian Nationals runner-up #14 Nachyn Mongush (RUS) jumped up eight spots in the rankings to #6 for a title winning performance at the Baikal Open where he beat 2021 Senior World bronze medalist #7 Aryan Tyutrin (BLR). Finishing as runner-up to Mongush was Amir Chamzyn (RUS) with Tyutrin and Dimchik Batomunkuev (RUS) taking bronze. Agym Mongush (RUS) won the Siberian Federal District Tournament over Kuder Mongush(RUS) with Aislan Mongush (RUS) and Achty Mongush (RUS) taking bronze.
Zane Richards (USA) punched his ticket for Final X against #5 Thomas Gilman (USA) by defeating two-time Henri Deglane Grand Prix champion Nick Suriano (USA) in the finals of the U.S. Open. 2022 U23 World Champion Aman Aman (IND) returns to the rankings at #17 for winning the Asian Championships over 2022 Asian Championships bronze medalist #20 Almaz Smanbekov (KGZ). Bronze medalists at the Asian Championships were Rakhat Kalzhan (KAZ) and Rikuto Arai (JPN). 2021 U23 World Champion Aliabbas Rzazade (AZE) is back in the rankings at #16 for winning the European Championships over 2019 Senior World runner-up #19 Suleyman Atli (TUR) by 12-2 tech fall. Bronze medalists at the European Championships were Georgi Vangelov (BUL) and Horst Lehr (GER).
61KG
Vito Arujau (USA) won the U.S. Open in dominant fashion with a 10-0 tech fall over #15 Austin DeSanto (USA). Both men’s performances at the U.S. Open see them gain considerable ground in the rankings, as DeSanto climbs up eight spots in the rankings to number seven for his victory over #8 Seth Gross (USA) in the semifinals and Arujau to #6 for his tech fall victory over #7 DeSanto in the finals.
#3 Taiyrbek Zhumashbek Uulu (KGZ) won the Asian Championships over Minghiu Liu (CHN). Bronze medalists at the Asian Championships were #14 Tuvshintulga Tumenbileg (MGL) and Yasin Abbas Rezaei (IRI). Minghiu Liu (CHN) takes the number thirteen spot in the rankings for beating #14 Tuvshintulga Tumenbileg (MGL) in the quarterfinals of the Asian Championships. #16 Ulukbek Zholdoshbekov (KGZ) has been removed from the 61 KG rankings as he moved up to 65 KG, where he took bronze at the Asian Championships by way of a victory over 2022 Junior World champion Umidjon Jalolov (UZB).
#4 Arsen Harutyunyan (ARM) captured his third European Championships title with a commanding victory over 2022 57 KG Senior World champion #3 (57) Zelimkhan Abakarov (ALB). Bronze medalists at the European Championships were Shota Phartenadze (GEO) and Emrah Ormanoglu (TUR). Shota Phartenadze (GEO) enters the rankings at #16 for beating #17 Taras Markovych (UKR) to win bronze at the European Championships.
#2 Abasgadzhi Magomedov (RUS) was dominant in his showcase match at PWL 4, securing a pin over Asian champion #3 Taiyrbek Zhumashbek Uulu (KGZ) in the second period. 2021 Russian Nationals bronze medalist Aldar Balzhinimaev (RUS) took gold at the Baikal Open over #14 Tuvshintulga Tumenbileg (MGL). Bronze medalists at the Baikal Open were Bekbolot Myrzanar Uulu (KGZ) and Kezhik Mongush (RUS). Kezhik Mongush (RUS) won the Siberian Federal District Tournament over Kezhik Seden (RUS) with Roman Astanaev (RUS) and #13 (57) Artur Chebodaev (RUS) taking bronze.
65KG
#7 (70) Haji Aliyev (AZE) returned to 65 KG for a showcase match against two-time Yarygin champion #4 Shamil Mamedov (RUS). Mamedov defeated Aliyev in a commanding 7-2 win to move up one spot in the rankings to #3 while Aliyev returns to the rankings at #6. #1 Rahman Amouzadkhalili (IRI) won his second consecutive Asian Championships with a close 3-1 victory over #4 Tulga Tumur Ochir (MGL). Bronze medalists at the Asian Championships were Ulukbek Zholdoshbekov (KGZ) and Ryoma Anraku (JPN). Kezhik Chimba (RUS) won the Siberian Federal District Tournament over 2019 Russian Nationals bronze medalist Yulian Gergenov (RUS) with Ezir Tylyush (RUS) and Chaiian Mongush (RUS) taking bronze.
A surprising result was the bizarre international debut of 2021 Russian Nationals bronze medalist #5 Abdulmazhid Kudiev for Tajikistan. Kudiev was eliminated in the closing seconds of his opening round match against Ryoma Anraku (JPN) for multiple fouls caused by choking his opponent while leading 2-0. With a second left on the clock, Kudiev lost his second point for blocking the airway of Anraku and a failed challenge cost him the 3-2 match. From this bizarre result, Kudiev drops two spots in the rankings to #7 while Ryoma Anraku (JPN) debuts at #13 for beating Kudiev.
Bulat Batoev (RUS) won the Baikal Open by forfeit over #10 Ibragim Ibragimov (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Baikal Open were Nyurgun Skryabin (BLR) and Dasha Sharastepanov (RUS). Vazgen Tevanyan (ARM) won the European Championships over Mikyay Salim Naim (BUL) by 12-1 tech fall. Bronze medalists at the European Championships were Edemi Bolkvadze (GEO) and Erik Arushanian (UKR).
Nick Lee (USA), a bronze medalist at the 2020 Olympic Trials, took gold at the U.S. Open with a 10-5 finals victory over Joey McKenna. Lee returns to the rankings at #17 for his U.S. Open title winning performance. Beau Bartlett (USA) upset #13 Evan Henderson (USA) 11-6 in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open and followed it up with a controversial 10-10 criteria loss to eventual champion #17 Nick Lee (USA). Bartlett wrestles back to the third place match of the U.S. Open and loses 8-6 to Matthew Kolodzik (USA). So, the final three of the top twenty are Beau Bartlett at #19 for beating #13 Evan Henderson (USA), Matthew Kolodzik (USA) at #18 for beating #19 Beau Bartlett (USA) for bronze at the U.S. Open, and Evan Henderson (USA) dropping seven spots to #20 for losing to #19 Beau Bartlett (USA) in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open and to #18 Matthew Kolodzik (USA) consolation quarterfinals.
70KG
#7 Haji Aliyev (AZE) was successful in capturing gold at the European Championships with a dominant 10-3 victory over #14 Ramazan Ramazanov (BUL). Bronze medalists at the European Championships were Vasile Diacon (MDA) and Ihor Nykyforuk (UKR). Aliyev moved back down to 65 KG for PWL 4 where he lost to #3 Shamil Mamedov (RUS) and is currently ranked sixth at 65 KG.
#9 Konstantin Kaprynov (RUS) put together a spectacular run at the Baikal Open that saw him pin Yarygin champion #6 Evgheni Zherbaev (RUS) to move into the top five of 70KG at number four. Taking silver to Kaprynov was Kiril Korneev (RUS) and finishing with bronze at the Baikal Open were Sayin Kazyryk (RUS) and Vitaly Yesin (RUS). #9 Kurban Shiraev (RUS) won 6-2 in his showcase match at PWL 4 against Aliakbar Fazlikhalili (IRI). Ruslan Zhendaev (RUS) won the Siberian Federal District over Sayin Kazyryk (RUS) with Kiril Korneev (RUS) and Ramazan Yakubov (RUS) taking bronze.
#3 Alec Pantaleo (USA) plummets ten spots in the rankings to #13 in the rankings after a shocking upset loss in the round of 32 at the U.S. Open to Jacob Butler (USA). Pantaleo would rally back to take third at the U.S. Open, while Butler would lose in the championship round of sixteen to Deondre Wilson (USA) and be eliminated in the consolation round of twelve by Jarod Verkleeren (USA). Tyler Berger (USA) and Sammy Sasso (USA) make a return to the rankings at #19 and #20 for taking gold and silver at the U.S. Open. Sanzhar Dozhanov (KAZ) won the Asian Championships over Zafarbek Otakhonov (UZB) with Orozobek Toktomambetov (KGZ) and Yoshinosuke Aoyagi (JPN) taking bronze. Ruslan Zhendaev (RUS) won the Siberian Federal District Tournament over Sayin Kazyryk (RUS) with Kiril Korneev (RUS) and Ramazan Yakubov (RUS) taking bronze.
74KG
#7 Taimuraz Salkazanov (SVK) moves up four spots in the rankings to number three after winning his third consecutive European Championships title with a victory over #4 Frank Chamizo (ITA). Bronze medalists at the European Championships were Soner Demirtas (TUR) and #10 (79) Avtandil Kentchadze (GEO). 2018 World runner-up #10 (79) Avtandil Kentchadze (GEO) made his return to the 74 KG after competing up at 79 KG and slots in the rankings at #13 after taking bronze at the European Championships after a semifinal loss to #3 Taimuraz Salkazanov (SVK). #5 Razambek Zhamalov (RUS) won his showcase match at PWL 4 against #2 (70) Ilyas Bekbulatov (UZB) by pin.
#6 Jason Nolf (USA) won the U.S. Open over 2022 79KG U.S. World Team Trials runner-up Vincenzo Joseph (USA) 10-5. Darkhan Yessengali (KAZ) won the Asian Championships over Kirin Kinoshita (JPN). Bronze medalists at the Asian Championships were Magomedrasul Asluev (BRN) and Suldkhuu Olonbayar (MGL). Azamat Nurikov (BLR) won the Baikal Open over Batbayar Batsukh (MGL). Bronze medalists at the Baikal Open were Aldan Avakumov (RUS) and Suldkhuu Olonbayar (MGL). Semen Tereschenko (RUS) won the Siberian Federal District Tournament over Barseh Boyajyan (RUS) with Dmitri Budazhapov (RUS) and Gadjir Godzhaev (RUS) taking bronze.
79KG
#13 Chance Marsteller (USA) won the U.S. Open over Alex Dieringer (USA). Dieringer returns to the rankings at #15 for his upset win over 2022 Final X bronze medalist #18 Carter Starocci (USA). Dieringer has career wins over #10 (86) Zahid Valencia (USA), 5x World/Olympic medalist Jabrayil Hasanov (AZE), and 2022 Senior Russian Nationals runner-up #10 Magomed Magomaev (RUS).
#6 (86) Vasyl Mykhailov (UKR), a bronze medalist at the 2022 Senior World Championships, made a successful return to 79 KG with a European Championships title over 2022 U-23 and Senior European champion #16 Giorgios Kougioumtsidis (GRE). Bronze medalists at the European Championships were Khetag Tsabolov (SRB) and Ahmad Magomedov (MKD). Sabuhi Amiraslanov (AZE) enters the rankings at #17 after a quarterfinal win at the European Championships over 2022 U23 World Championships gold medalist #16 Vladimeri Gamkrelidze (GEO).
#11 Bolat Sakaev (KAZ) won the Asian Championships in impressive fashion over 2020 74 KG Olympic bronze medalist Bekzod Abdurakhmanov (UZB). Sakaev’s path to gold also saw him notch a ranked victory over Ibrahim Moustafa Tournament runner-up #12 Amirhossein Kavousi (IRI) by pin in the semifinals. Bronze medalists at the Asian Championships were #12 Amirhossein Kavousi (IRI) and Deepak Deepak (IND).
#1 Akhmed Usmanov (RUS) won his showcase match at PWL 4 against Asian champion #11 Bolat Sakaev (KAZ). Arsen Balayan (RUS) won the Baikal Open over Andrei Karpach (BLR). Bronze medalists at the Baikal Open were Roman Nikolaev (RUS) and Nikita Suchkov (RUS). #10 Avtandil Kentchadze (GEO) is now ranked thirteenth at 74 KG after dropping down in weight and taking bronze at the European Championships. Dmitri Kuprin (RUS) won the Siberian Federal District Tournament over Bayar-Saikhan Bady (RUS) with Nikita Suckov (RUS) and Ruslan Hovhannesyan (RUS) taking bronze.
86KG
#6 Vasyl Mykhailov (UKR) moved back down to 79 KG where he won gold at the European Championships. Mykhailov is currently ranked sixth at 79 KG. The European champion at 86 KG was #2 (92) Dauren Kurugliev, a two-time national champion and 2018 Senior World representative for Russia, making his debut for Greece. Finishing runner-up to Kurugliev was 2020 Olympic bronze medalist #13 Myles Amine (SMR) and taking bronze was Sebastian Jezierzanski (POL) and #19 Abubakar Abakarov (AZE).
The European Championships saw some minor shuffling on the bottom half of the top twenty with the removal of 2022 Senior World bronze medalist #18 Boris Makoev (SVK) after a loss in the European Championships bronze medal match to #19 Abubakar Abakarov (AZE). Abakarov moves up one spot to #18 for his victory over Makoev to go along with his victory from February over fellow European bronze medalist #19 Sebastian Jezierzanki (POL) at the Zagreb Open. Sebastian Jezierzanski (POL) returns to the rankings at #19 fo beating #20 Tariel Gaphrindashvili (GEO) in the quarterfinals of the European Championships.
#9 Azamat Dauletbekov (KAZ) moves up four spots in the rankings to #5 for winning gold at the Asian Championships over #8 Alireza Karimimachiani (IRI), avenging his loss from December at the World Cup. Bronze medalists at the Asian Championships were #5 Hayato Ishiguro (JPN) and Bobur Islomov (UZB). While initially #9 over #8 moving #9 up to #5 doesn’t make sense, let me explain. #8 Alireza Karimimachiani (IRI) has a loss to #7 Zahid Valencia (USA) from the World Cup but a win over #9 Azamat Dauletbekov (KAZ) from the same competition. Valencia loses in February at the Ibrahim Moustafa Tournament semifinals to #5 Hayato Ishiguro (JPN). Ishiguro loses 9-2 in the semifinals of the Asian Championships to #8 Alireza Karimimachiani (IRI). #9 Azamat Dauletbekov (KAZ) beat #8 Alireza Karimimachiani (IRI) in the finals after Karimi had beaten #5 Ishiguro, so Dauletbekov moves up to #5, Karimi to #6, Ishiguro to #8 (behind #7 Amanulla Rasulov because of Rasulov’s superior win from 2022 Russian Nationals over #4 Dauren Kurugliev) and Aaron Brooks (USA) at #9 for beating #7 Zahid Valencia (USA) in the finals of the U.S. Open. Brooks is behind #8 Hayato Ishiguro (JPN) due to a head to head loss to Ishiguro from the 2018 Junior World finals along with Ishiguro having a higher ranked pair of wins (#10 Zahid Valencia, #13 Myles Amine) compared to Brooks (#10 Zahid Valencia, #17 Mark Hall).
2018 Junior World silver medalist Aaron Brooks (USA) makes his debut in the international rankings at #9 for beating #7 Zahid Valencia (USA) to win the U.S. Open. Valencia falls three spots in the rankings to #10 for his loss to Brooks. Brooks also notched a ranked win in the semifinals over #17 Mark Hall (USA). Dmitri Zainidinov (RUS) won the Baikal Open over Bat-Erdene Byambasuren (MGL) with Rasul Tikhaev (BLR) and Timur Kotaev (RUS) taking bronze. #5 Azamat Dauletbekov (KAZ) won his showcase match at PWL 4 over Yarygin champion #14 Arslan Bagaev (RUS) 1-1. Dmitri Zainidinov (RUS) won the Siberian Federal District Tournament over Konstantin Grachev (RUS) with Timur Kotaev (RUS) and Mikhail Kovaleg (RUS) taking bronze.
92KG
#2 Dauren Kurugliev (GRE) moved down to 86 KG where he won the European Championships. Kurugliev is currently ranked fourth at 86 KG. Taking gold at the European Championships at 92 KG was #13 Feyzullah Akturk (TUR) over #6 Osman Nurmagomedov (AZE). Bronze medalists at the European Championships were Ernak Kardanov (SVK) and Miriani Maisuradze (GEO). Akturk moves up eight spots in the rankings to number five for his victory over #6 Osman Nurmagomedov (AZE).
Michael Macchiavello (USA) made the biggest impact this month in the rankings, going from unranked to number two in the world after an incredibly impressive performance at the U.S. Open that saw him beat #3 Nathan Jackson (USA) in the semifinals and tech fall #4 Kollin Moore (USA) 12-2 in the finals. Another wrestler debuting in the ranking after an impressive showing was Arashk Yoshida of Japan at #19. Yoshida looked superb in winning gold at the Asian Championships over #20 Rizabek Aitmukhan (KAZ). Bronze medalists at the Asian Championships were Magomed Sharipov (BRN) and Gankhuyag Ganbaatar (MGL). Orgiloh Dagvadorj (MGL) won the Baikal Open over Ivan Kirillov (RUS) with Konstantin Pshenichnikov (RUS) and Yuri Ivanov (RUS) taking bronze. Kombu-Dorzhu Oorzhak (RUS) won the Siberian Federal District Tournament over Konstantin Pshenichnikov (RUS) with Ivan Kirillov (RUS) taking bronze.
97KG
#18 Givi Matcharashvili (GEO) won the European Championships over #8 Magomedkhan Magomedov (AZE). Bronze medalists at the European Championships were #20 Vladislav Baitsaev (HUN) and Ibragim Ciftci (TUR). The big news from the European Championships was 2022 Senior World silver medalist #7 Batyrbek Tsakulov (SVK) failing to place after a loss in the round of 16 to Murazi Mchedlidze (UKR). Mchedlidze would lose in the semifinals to #18 Givi Matcharashvili (GEO) and in the bronze medal match to Ibragim Ciftci (TUR). From the results of the European Championships, #18 Givi Matcharashvili (GEO) moves up twelve spots to number six in the rankings, while #7 Batyrbek Tsakulov (SVK) falls seven spots to number fourteen with Murazi Mchedlidze (UKR) slotting in at #13 for beating #14 Batyrbek Tsakulov (SVK) and Ibragim Ciftci taking the #12 slot for beating #13 Murazi Mchedlidze (UKR).
#5 J’den Cox (USA) won the U.S. Open over Isaac Trumble (USA). Nikita Akulinchev (RUS) won the Baikal Open over Vladislav Kozlov (BLR) with Ilya Zhibalov (RUS) and Alexander Hushtyn (BLR) taking bronze. #3 Magomed Kurbanov (RUS) won his showcase match at PWL 4 over #14 Batyrbek Tsakulov (SVK) by 6-2 decision. #10 Akhmed Tazhudinov (BRN) won the Asian Championships over Awusayimam Habila (CHN). Bronze medalists at the Asian Championships were #15 Mojtaba Goleij (IRI) and Makhsud Veysalov (UZB). Nikita Akulinchev (RUS) won the Siberian Federal District Tournament over Otchugash Demir-Khaya (RUS) with Bady-Maadir Samdan (RUS) taking bronze.
125KG
2020 Olympic champion Gable Steveson (USA) made a successful return to competition with the U.S. Open title over Nick Gwiazdowski (USA). Steveson takes back the number one spot in the rankings upon his return due to his wins over #2 Taha Akgul (TUR), #4 Lkhagvagerel Munkhtur (MGL), and #5 Geno Petriashvili (GEO).
#2 Taha Akgul (TUR) won the European Championships over #5 Geno Petriashvili (GEO). Bronze medalists at the European Championships were Daniel Ligeti (HUN) and #7 Giorgi Meshvildishvili (GEO). #4 Lkhagvagerel Munkhtur (MGL) won the Asian Championships over Yusup Batirmurzaev (KAZ). Bronze medalists at the Asian Championships were Anirudah Kumar (IND) and Buheerdun Buheerdun (CHN). #7 Dzianis Khramiankov (BLR) won the Baikal Open by forfeit over Vitali Pasniak (BLR). Bronze medalists at the Baikal Open were #15 Znaur Kotsiev (RUS) and David Dzugaev (RUS). #7 Dzianis Khramiankov (BLR) picked up a ranked victory over #15 Znaur Kotsiev (RUS) on his way to gold at the Baikal Open. Pavel Krivstov (RUS) won the Siberian Federal District Tournament over Mihail Zinov (RUS) with Lorsan Sambu (RUS) and Shota Kortiev (RUS) taking bronze.
Pound for Pound
#25 Taimuraz Salkazanov (SVK) skyrockets up fifteen spots in the rankings to number ten after winning his third consecutive European title by way of a 3-1 score over #11 Frank Chamizo (ITA). 2020 125 KG Olympic champion Gable Steveson (USA) returns to the pound for pound rankings at #16 after winning the 125KG U.S. Open title.