May 2024 International Men's Freestyle Wrestling Rankings

#20 Kento Yumita (JPN) won the Asian Championships over Udit Udit (IND) with Meirambek Kartbay (KAZ) and Kum Hyok Kim (PRK) taking bronze. #12 Almaz Smanbekov (KGZ) has been removed from the rankings after the Asian Championships due to losses to #20 Udit Udit (IND) and Ebrahi Khari (IRI).

#10 Gulomjon Abdullaev (UZB) and #11 Bekzat Almaz Uulu (KGZ) both qualified for the Paris Olympics by making the finals of the Asian Olympic Games Qualifier. #10 Gulomjon Abdullaev (UZB) notched significant wins over 2022 U23 world champion Aman Aman (IND) and #15 Changson Han (PRK) while #11 Bekzat Almaz Uulu (KGZ) beat 2023 Budapest Ranking Series Tournament champion Wanhou Zou (CHN) and 2023 U23 World bronze medalist Munkh Erdene Batkhuyag (MGL).

Spencer Lee (USA) won the U.S. Olympic Trials over 2021 world champion Thomas Gilman (USA) with Marcus Blaze (USA) taking bronze. Spencer Lee (USA) and Thomas Gilman (USA) return to the rankings at #8 and #9 respectively, with Lee at #8 for his win over #9 Gilman and Gilman at #9 for wins over #10 Gulomjon Abdullaev (UZB), #2 (61) Vito Arujau (USA), and #5 (61) Abubakar Mutaliev (RUS).

#5 Akhmed Idrisov (RUS) won Russian Nationals over Lev Pavlov (RUS) with #7 Musa Mekhtikhanov (RUS) and #13 Ramiz Gamzatov (RUS) taking bronze. Lev Pavlov (RUS) debuts in the rankings at #6 for beating #7 Musa Mekhtikhanov (RUS) and #12 Nachyn Mongush (RUS) to make the finals of Russian Nationals. #3 Zavur Uguev (RUS) wrestled up at 61 KG for Russian Nationals where he won gold but is confirmed to be competing at 57 KG for Paris, so he will not be moved. 2023 Russian Nationals runner-up #6 Artem Gobaev moved up to 61 KG where he took bronze at Russian Nationals and is currently ranked fourth in the world.

61 KG

#9 Taiyrbek Zhumashbek Uulu (KGZ) won the Asian Championships over Assyl Aitakyn (KAZ) with Kum-Chol Ri (PRK) and Enkhbold Enkhbat (MGL) taking bronze. Kum-Chol Ri (PRK) debuts in the rankings at #16 for beating #14 Reza Atri (IRI) for bronze, while Atri falls three spots to #17 for his loss to #16 Kum-Chol Ri (PRK).

#3 (57) Zavur Uguev (RUS) won Russian Nationals over #7 Bashir Magomedov (RUS) with #4 Artem Gobaev (RUS) and Viktor Yakovlev (RUS). While #7 Bashir Magomedov (RUS) did finish runner-up at Russian Nationals, he is noticeably below four athletes who placed below him (#5 Abubakar Mutaliev DNP, #6 Kezhik Mongush DNP, #4 Artem Gobaev bronze), or didn’t compete (#3 Muslim Mekhtikhanov). Bashir didn’t beat anyone ranked on his way to the finals and the most important recent results (i.e. January at the Yarygin) saw him lose to #3 Muslim Mekhtikhanov (RUS) and #6 Kezhik Mongush (RUS). Now we move three months later to Russian Nationals, where Mekhtikhanov doesn’t compete and #6 Kezhik Mongush (RUS) loses his opener to Abubakar Mutaliev (RUS). Mutaliev loses to Uguev and falls into repechage and then loses to #4 Artem Gobaev (RUS). That is the operating principle of why Magomedov is ranked lower.

In further development from Russian Nationals, #4 Chermen Tavitov, who beat 2023 61 KG world runner-up #4 (65) Abasgadzhi Magomedov (RUS) at the 2023 Umakhanov Tournament, failed to place at Russian Nationals as he was upset in the round of 16 by Bair Bayanduev (RUS) who then lost in the quarterfinals to Tamerlan Karaev (RUS). Out of these results, #4 Chermen Tavitov (RUS) eight spots to #12 while Tamerlan Karaev (RUS) and Bair Bayanduev (RUS) debut in the rankings at #10 and #11 respectively.

65 KG

#11 Haji Aliyev (AZE) and Goderdzi Goberdishvili (GEO) qualified for the Paris Olympics by making the finals of the European Olympic Games Qualifier. Aliyev beat #3 Islam Dudaev (ALB) in the semifinals and Goberdishvili beat Maxim Sacultan (MDA). #17 Kizhan Clarke (GER) has been dropped from the rankings following the European Olympic Games Qualifier where he lost to Erik Arushanian (UKR) in the qualification round. #11 Haji Aliyev (AZE) moves up eight spots to #3 for his win over #3 Islam Dudaev.

#20 Kotaro Kiyooka (JPN) and #5 (70) Ernazar Akmataliev (KGZ) qualified for the Paris Olympics by making the finals of the Asian Olympic Games Qualifier. Kotaro Kiyooka (JPN) moves up ten spots in the rankings to #10 for beating #9 Abdulmazhid Kudiev (TJK) in the round of 16, while #5 (70) Ernazar Akmataliev (KGZ) returns to the 65 KG rankings at #9. #7 Ulukbek Zholdoshbekov (KGZ), #8 Musa Aghayev (AZE), and #9 Abdulmazhid Kudiev (TJK) all fall five spots each to #12, #13, and #14 to accommodate for the superior resumes of #8 Zain Retherford, #9 Ernazar Akmataliev, and #10 Kotaro Kiyooka (JPN) along with Kiyooka’s head to head win over Kudiev.

#6 Rahman Amouzad (IRI) beat #5 Tulga Tumur Ochir (MGL) to win the Asian Championships and avenge his loss from the 2023 Asian Games. Bronze medalists at the Asian Championships were #12 Ulukbek Zholdoshbekov (KGZ) and #8 (61) Masanosuke Ono (JPN). #6 Rahman Amouzad (IRI) moves up four spots to #2 for his win over #5 Tulga Tumur Ochir (MGL) along with a past win over #3 Haji Aliyev (AZE) at the 2022 World Championships coupled with the rankings shakeups from the Russian Nationals and U.S. Olympic Trials. #5 Tulga Tumur Ochir (MGL) falls six spots to #11 in the rankings for his loss to #2 Rahman Amouzad (IRI) in the finals of the Asian Championships and his loss #15 Tosgbadrakh Tseevensuren (MGL) in the Mongolian National Finals in April.

#2 (70) Zain Retherford (USA) won the U.S. Olympic Trials over #17 Nick Lee (USA) with #18 Joey McKenna (USA) taking third. #2 (70) Zain Retherford (USA) returns to the 65 KG rankings at #8 for winning Olympic Trials to go along with victories over #3 (70) Arman Andreasyan (ARM), #5 (70) Amir Mohammad Yazdani (IRI), and #7 (70) Ramazan Ramazanov (BUL). 2023 141 LB NCAA Champion Jesse Mendez (USA) debuts in the rankings at #19 for beating #18 Joey McKenna and #20 Yianni Diakomihalis (USA) on his way to taking fourth at the Olympic Trials. Mendez split his series at Olympic Trials 1-1 with McKenna, with Mendez beating McKenna in his opening match and McKenna beating him for third, so McKenna stays ranked ahead of Mendez. 2022 65 KG Senior World silver medalist #15 Yianni Diakomihalis (USA) has been removed from the rankings due to his loss to #20 Jesse Mendez (USA). #10 Andrew Alirez (USA) falls eight spots to #18 for his loss to #17 Nick Lee (USA) in the semifinals of Olympic Trials.

#1 Shamil Mamedov (RUS) won Russian Nationals over #1 (61) Abasgadzhi Magomedov (RUS) with #2 Ibragim Ibragimov (RUS) and Zagir Shakhiev (RUS) taking bronze. #1 (61) Abasgadzhi Magomedov (RUS) takes the #4 spot in the rankings after beating #2 Ibragim Ibragimov (RUS) in the semifinals of Russian Nationals while #2 Ibragim Ibragimov (RUS) falls three spots to #5 for his loss to #4 Abasgadzhi Magomedov (RUS).

70 KG

#2 Zain Retherford (USA) and #5 Ernazar Akmataliev (KGZ) moved down to 86 KG where they are ranked #8 and #9 respectively. #12 Israil Kasumov (RUS) and #14 Aznaur Tavaev (RUS) moved up to 74 KG for Russian Nationals where Kasumov lost in the quarterfinals to #16 (74) Timur Bizhoev (RUS) and Tavaev medically forfeited out and did not compete. #5 Amir Mohammad Yazdani (IRI) won the Asian Championships over #8 Yoshinosuke Aoyagi (JPN) with Abhimanyou Abhimanyou (IND) and Alibek Osmonov (KGZ) taking bronze.

#6 Inalbek Sheriev (RUS) won Russian Nationals over #1 Kurban Shiraev (RUS) with Magomed-Emi Eitemirov (RUS) and Turpal-Ali Khatuev (RUS) taking bronze. Turpal Ali-Khatuev (RUS) debuts in the rankings at #11 for beating #12 Umar Umarov (RUS) for bronze after Umarov had beaten past Russian Nationals bronze medalist Ruslan Zhendaev (RUS) and 2023 Yarygin bronze medalist #17 Konstantin Kaprynov (RUS) to make the semifinals. Ruslan Zhendaev (RUS) returns to the rankings at #14 for beating #15 Alan Kudzoev (RUS). Magomed-Emi Eitemirov (RUS) debuts in the rankings for taking bronze at Russian Nationals where he beat #19 Sayin Kazyryk (RUS) for bronze. Aisen Potapov (RUS) takes the #20 spot in the rankings for beating Karabdin Korkmasov (RUS) who beat formerly 20th ranked Georgi Sekinaev (RUS) in the round of 32.

74 KG

#13 Turan Bayramov (AZE) and #5 Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (BLR) qualified for the Paris Olympics by making the finals of the European Olympic Games Qualifier. Both men notched ranked wins in the semifinals with Bayramov beating #11 Frank Chamizo (ITA) and Kadimagomedov beating #6 Taimuraz Salkazanov (SVK).

Bekzod Abdurakhmanov (UZB) and Younes Emami (IRI) qualified for the Paris Olympics by making the finals of the Asian Olympic Games Qualifier. In the semifinals, Abdurakhmanov beat Orozobek Toktomambetov (KGZ) and Emami beat 2019 70 KG world runner-up Nurkhoza Kaipanov (KAZ). Kota Takahashi (JPN) won the Asian Championships over Viktor Rassadin (TJK) with Hossein Abouzari (IRI) and Sangho Han (KOR) taking bronze.

#2 Kyle Dake (USA) won the U.S. Olympic Trials over #9 Jason Nolf (USA) with Mitchell Mesenbrink (USA) taking bronze. #9 Jason Nolf (USA) moves up four spots to #5 for beating #3 Jordan Burroughs (USA) in the challenge tournament finals, while #3 Burroughs falls three spots to #6 for his loss to Nolf.

Anzor Zakuev (RUS) won Russian Nationals over #14 Magomed Dibirgadzhiev (RUS) with #7 David Baev (RUS) and #15 Timur Bizhoev (RUS) taking bronze. Anzor Zakuev (RUS) returns to the rankings at #12 for winning Russian Nationals and beating #7 David Baev (RUS) who falls six spots to #13 for his loss to Zakuev.

79 KG

#4 Mohammad Nokhodi (IRI) won the Asian Championships over Byambadorj Enkhbayar (MGL) with #7 Khidir Saipudinov (BRN) and Asomiddin Khasanov (UZB) taking bronze.

Reigning 79 KG world champion #3 (79) Akhmed Usmanov (RUS) moved up to 86 KG where he took bronze at Russian Nationals and is currently 14th. #2 Magomed Magomaev (RUS) won Russian Nationals over #10 Gadzhimurad Alikhmaev (RUS) with #1 Khalid Yakhiev (RUS) and #13 Akhmed Manilov (RUS) taking bronze. #10 Gadzhimurad Alikhmaev (RUS) moves up eight spots to #2 for beating #1 Khalid Yakhiev (RUS) in the semifinals of Russian Nationals. #13 Akhmed Manilov (RUS) moves up five spots to #8 for beating #9 Magomed Kardanov (RUS), #14 David Betanov (RUS), and #15 Abdulkerim Abdulaev (RUS) on his way to bronze at Russian Nationals. Abdulkerim Abdulaev (RUS) moves up six spots in the rankings to #9 for beating formerly 8th ranked Kasum Kasumov (RUS) in the round of 32. David Betanov (RUS) returns to the rankings at #14 for beating three-time Russian Nationals bronze medalist #15 Nikita Suchkov (RUS) in repechage. Jamal Akhmadudinov (RUS) joins the rankings at #20 for beating Semen Tereschenko (RUS) and Magomedmurad Dadaev (RUS).

86 KG

#9 Aaron Brooks (USA) upended reigning world champion #1 David Taylor (USA) to win the U.S. Olympic Trials to take the number one spot in the world. Taking bronze at the U.S. Olympic Trials was Trent Hidlay (USA). From Brooks ascent to number one, every wrestler in the top five drops down one spot.

#5 (92) Osman Nurmagomedov (AZE) and #4 Artur Naifonov (RUS) qualified for the Paris Olympics by making the finals of the European Olympic Games Qualifier. Both men notched their best wins in the quarterfinals, with Naifonov beating #5 Dauren Kurugliev (GRE) and Nurmagomedov beating #7 Magomed Ramazanov (BUL). In the semifinals, Naifonov beat Vladimeri Gamkrelidze (GEO) in the semis and Nurmagomedov beat Vasyl Mykhailov (UKR). Osman Nurmagomedov (AZE) takes the #7 spot in the 86 KG rankings for his victory over #7 Magomed Ramazanov (BUL).

#20 Hayato Ishiguro (JPN) and Bat-Erdene Byambasuren (MGL) qualified for the Paris Olympics by making the finals of the Asian Olympic Games Qualifier. Ishiguro beat Gwan Uk Kim (KOR) and Byambasuren beat Zushen Lin (CHN) in the semifinals. #10 Azamat Dauletbekov (KAZ) won the Asian Championships over #19 Javrail Shapiev (UZB) with Hadi Vafaipour (IRI) and Tatsuya Shirai (JPN) taking bronze.

Ibragim Kadiev (RUS) won Russian Nationals over #17 Malik Shavaev (RUS) with #3 (79) Akhmed Usmanov (RUS) and Mukhamed Takhir Khaniev (RUS) taking bronze. Ibragim Kadiev (RUS) took out four past Russian Nationals champions in the form of #11 Arslan Bagaev (RUS), #3 (79) Akhmed Usmanov (RUS), #7 (92) Vladislav Valiev (RUS), and #17 Malik Shavaev (RUS) to debut in the rankings at #11. Russian Nationals runner-up #17 Malik Shavaev (RUS) moves up five spots in the rankings to #12 for his past wins over #5 Dauren Kurugliev (GRE), #13 Vladislav Valiev (RUS), and #14 Akhmed Usmanov (RUS). 2023 92 KG Russian National champion #7 (92) Vladislav Valiev (RUS) returns to the 86 KG rankings at #13 for his past wins over #4 Artur Naifonov (RUS), #19 Javrail Shapiev (UZB), and #6 Myles Amine (SMR). 2023 79 KG world champion #3 (79) Akhmed Usmanov (RUS) makes his debut in the 86 KG rankings at #14 for beating #16 Alan Naifonov (RUS) who upset #11 Arslan Bagaev (RUS) in repechage. #11 Arslan Bagaev (RUS) drops six spots to #17 for his losses to #11 Ibragim Kadiev (RUS) and #16 Alan Naifonov (RUS) at Russian Nationals.

92 KG

#2 Boris Makoev (SVK), #7 Vladislav Valiev (RUS), #8 Nathan Jackson (USA) all moved weights, with Makoev and Valiev going to 86 KG and Jackson going up to 97 KG and they have been removed from the 92 KG rankings.#9 Amirhossein Firouzpour (IRI) won the Asian Championships over Sherzod Poyonov (UZB) with #20 Magomed Sharipov (BRN) and Batzul Damjin (MGL) taking bronze.

#18 Alan Bagaev (RUS) won Russian Nationals over Ashkab Saadulaev (RUS) with Konstantin Pshenichnikov (RUS) and #12 Gadzhimagomed Nazhmudinov (RUS) taking bronze. #18 Alan Bagaev (RUS) moves up fifteen spots to #3 for winning Russian Nationals, while Ashkab Saadulaev (RUS) returns to the rankings at #4 for taking silver at Russian Nationals and beating #5 Arsenali Musalaliev (RUS), who climbed up eight spots to #5 from #13 for beating #3 Magomed Kurbanov (RUS) in the round of 16. Musalaliev did not place at Russian Nationals as he injury forfeited out after his quarterfinal loss to #4 Ashkab Saadulaev (RUS). Konstantin Pshenichnikov (RUS) returns to the rankings at #13 for beating #14 Omar Ziyautdinov (RUS) in the round of 16. Guram Chertkoev (RUS) returns to the rankings at #15 for taking fifth at Russian Nationals where he beat 2022 97 KG All-Russian Spartakiad runner-up Gadzhimagomed Tazhudinov (RUS) in repechage.

97 KG

#5 Alikhan Zhabrailov (RUS) and Aleksandr Hushtyn (BLR) qualified for the Paris Olympics by making the finals of the European Olympic Games Qualifier. From the European Olympic Games Qualifier, Radoslaw Baran (POL) enters the rankings at #19 for beating #19 Radu Lefter.

#1 Akhmed Tazhudinov (BRN) won the Asian Championships over #12 Rizabek Aitmukhan (KAZ) with #9 Mohammad Mohammadian (IRI) and Vicky Vicky (IND) taking bronze. Tazhudinov notched his second win over fellow 2023 world champion Aitmukhan to go along with his win earlier in the year at the Yasar Dogu along with a victory over two-time Asian champion #9 Mohammad Mohammadian (IRI).

#3 Amirali Azarpira (IRI) and #11 Alisher Yergali (KAZ) qualified for the Paris Olympics by making the finals of the Asian Olympic Games Qualifier. Azarpira notched a notable quarterfinal win over 2023 92 KG world fifth place finisher Arash Yoshida (JPN) on his way to the finals.

#4 Kyle Snyder (USA) won the U.S. Olympic Trials over #18 Isaac Trumble (USA) with Kollin Moore (USA) taking true second over Nathan Jackson (USA). #18 Isaac Trumble (USA) moves up five spots to #13 for beating #14 Kollin Moore (USA) in the U.S. Olympic Trials challenge tournament finals. Moore rejoins the rankings at #14 for beating #7 J’den Cox (USA), who subsequently retired from competitive wrestling after his loss to Moore. #7 (92) Nathan Jackson (USA) takes the #18 spot in the rankings for taking third at the U.S. Olympic Trials where he beat #17 Jay Aiello (USA) in repechage, with Aiello falling two spots to #19.

#2 Abdulrashid Sadulaev (RUS) won Russian Nationals over #5 Alikhan Zhabrailov (RUS) with Igor Ovsyannikov (RUS) and Bady-Maadry Samdan (RUS) taking bronze. #12 Shamil Musaev (RUS) moved up to 125 KG where he took silver at Russian Nationals and is currently ranked 11th in the world. Igor Ovsyannikov (RUS) returns to the rankings at #15 behind #14 Kollin Moore (USA), who beat Ovsyannikov at the 2018 U23 World Championships. Ovsyannikov notched a significant win in the quarterfinals of Russian Nationals over 2021 125 KG Russian Nationals champion Sergey Kozyrev (RUS).

125 KG

Lkhagvagerel Munkhtur (MGL) and Yusup Batirmurzaev (KAZ) qualified for the Paris Olympics by making the finals of the Asian Olympic Games Qualifier. Munkhtur upset #8 Zhiwei Deng (CHN) in the semifinals and Batirmurzaev beat Shamil Sharipov (BRN). Munkhtur returns to the #13 ahead of #8 Zhiwei Deng (CHN) who falls to #14 for his loss to Munkhtur whose fall is also caused by the head to head results of the U.S. Olympic Trials and Russian Nationals.

Dzianis Khramiankov (BLR) and #15 Giorgi Meshvildishvili (AZE) qualified for the Paris Olympics by making the finals of the European Olympic Games Qualifier. Khramiankov beat Kamil Kosciolek (POL) and Meshvildishvili beat #18 Alen Khubulov in the semis. #1 Amir Zare (IRI) won the Asian Championships over Aiaal Lazarev (KGZ) with Buheerdun Buheerdun (CHN) and Shamil Sharipov (BRN) taking bronze. #10 Abdulla Kurbanov (RUS) won Russian Nationals over #11 Shamil Musaev (RUS) with Artem Pukhovsky (RUS) and #12 Zelimkhan Khizriev (RUS) taking bronze.

#5 Mason Parris (USA) beat Hayden Zillmer (USA) in two matches to make the U.S. Olympic Team. #14 Nick Gwiazdowski (USA) won true 2nd over Dom Bradley (USA) while Dom Bradley (USA) took third in the challenge tournament over Greg Kerkvliet (USA). Bradley would be eligible to be ranked in the top ten but retired after the Trials. Dom Bradley (USA) beat 2023 U23 World Champion #6 Wyatt Hendrickson (USA) in the quarterfinals of the challenge tournament then fell in the challenge tournament semifinals to Hayden Zillmer (USA) who would then beat #14 Nick Gwiazdowski (USA) to make the best of 3 finals against #5 Mason Parris (USA). Following #6 Wyatt Hendrickson (USA) to repechage, Hendrickson gets tech falled by NCAA champion Greg Kerkvliet (USA) who then loses in the third place match to Dom Bradley (USA) and then Bradley loses the true 2nd match to Gwiazdowski.

From all the shakeup of the 125 KG U.S. Olympic Trials, Hayden Zillmer (USA) returns to the rankings at #6, Nick Gwiazdowski (USA) moves up seven spots to #14 for beating Dom Bradley (USA) who would be ranked #8 if he did not retire after Trials. Greg Kerkvliet (USA) enters the rankings at #8 for beating formerly 6th ranked Wyatt Hendrickson (USA) who falls four spots to #10 for his losses to Bradley and Kerkvliet. The best way to understand the shakeup of the U.S. at 125 KG is to track Bradley and Hendrickson as those are the two who connect all the Americans in the top ten.

Pound for Pound

Aaron Brooks (USA) debuts in the pound for pound rankings at #6 for beating #5 David Taylor (USA) in the finals of the 86 KG Olympic Trials. #5 David Taylor (USA) drops two spots to #7 for his loss to #6 Aaron Brooks (USA) at U.S. Olympic Trials. 65 KG Russian Nationals champion Shamil Mamedov (RUS) is back in the pound for pound rankings at #17 for beating #8 Abasgadzhi Magomedov (RUS) in the 65 KG Russian Nationals finals. #8 Abasgadzhi Magomedov (RUS) and #9 Zelimkhan Abakarov (ALB) both fall ten spots to #18 and #19 respectively. The operating principle of the Magomedov and Abakarov drops are because Abakarov was ranked in the top ten after beating #10 Zavur Uguev at the World Championships last year in the bronze medal match, then Abasgadzhi Magomedov beats Abakarov in the finals of the European Championships to get in the top ten, so Magomedov>Abakarov>Uguev, and then with Magomedov moving up in weight and losing to Mamedov and his subsequent spot to the lower ranked wrestler, Magomedov having the head to head over Abakarov meant that Abakarov would also fall with him on the way down.

Inalbek Sheriev (RUS) returns to the rankings at #20 for avenging his loss from the Yarygin finals to #14 Kurban Shiraev (RUS) to win 70 KG Russian Nationals. #14 Kurban Shiraev (RUS) drops seven spots to #21 for his loss to #20 Inalbek Sheriev (RUS) in the 70 KG Russian National Finals. Gadzhimurad Alikhmaev (RUS) returns to the international rankings at #23 for beating formerly 15th ranked Khalid Yakhiev (RUS) in the 79 KG Russian Nationals semifinals. Yakhiev falls out of the rankings for his loss to Alikhmaev. #17 Akhmed Usmanov (RUS) has been removed from the rankings due to moving up to 86 KG where he took bronze at Russian Nationals after a quarterfinal loss to eventual champion #11 (86) Ibragim Kadiev (RUS).

Seth PetarraMay 6, 2024