November 2020 International Men’s Freestyle Rankings

57 KG

Russian Nationals Results

GOLD: #1 Zavur Uguev over #2 Azamat Tuskaev 1-1

BRONZE: #6 Akhmed Idrisov over Ramiz Gamzatov 3-1

BRONZE: Muslim Sadulaev over Petr Konstantinov 7-1

In a battle between the two top ranked wrestlers in the world, reigning two time world champion #1 Zavur Uguev (RUS) would walk away with his third Russian national title with a 1-1 win over Yaryin and European champion #2 Azamat Tuskaev. Taking bronze at Russian nationals was Alans champion #6 Ahmed Idrisov with a 3-1 win over 2019 national champion Ramiz Gamzatov. In the semifinals, Idrisov lost 6-6 on criteria in an amazing semi final match to runner-up #2 Azamat Tuskaev in what was a rematch of their Yarygin finals won by Tuskaev. Tuskaev leads their match series 2-1 now with wins at the Yarygin and at Russian nationals with Idrisov taking a win last December at the Alans. Returning national runner-up Muslim Sadulaev (RUS) with a 7-1 win over Petr Konstantinov.

Other results of notes were; #10 Reza Atri (IRI) winning Iranian nationals over 2x cadet world champ Rahman Amouzad Khalili (IRI) 4-4; Razvan Kovacs (ROU) winning Romanian nationals over Viktor Terzi (ROU) and following it up with a title at the Ziolkowski over Petru Craciun of Moldova with a 12-2 win; Dmitry Shamelo (BLR) winning Belarussian nationals; Kisik Seden (RUS) winning the International Ukrainian Tournament over Vladlen Opasenko (UKR); Vasil Ilnitski (POL) winning Polish nationals over Jan Zasczczerzynski (POL) and 2017 U-23 world runner-up Mikyay Salim Naim (BUL) winning Bulgarian nationals over Mitko Asenov (BUL). 

61 KG

Russian Nationals Results

GOLD: #3 Abasgadzhi Magomedov over #2 Ramazan Ferzaliev 9-7

BRONZE: #9 Ibragim Abdurakhmanov over Dmitry Aksenov 4-3

BRONZE:  Zhargal Damdinov over Ibragim Ilyasov 13-2

After having gone two years without placing at nationals, #3 Abasgadzhi Magomedov (RUS) made the most of his third run by taking home gold by avenging two prior losses to returning national runner-up #2 Ramazan Ferzaliev (RUS) with a 9-7 win in the finals. On his path to the finals, Magomedov defeated 2019 Intercontinental cup champion #9 Ibragim Abdurakhmanov (RUS) and 2017 Russian nationals bronze medalist Dmitry Aksenov (RUS). Abdurakhmanov would take a tight 4-3 win over Aksenov to win bronze while on the opposite side of the bracket would see 2019 57 KG Korkin champ Zhargal Damdinov (RUS) tech fall 2018 57 KG U-23 European champion Ibragim Ilyasov (RUS) via a 13-2 score.

#3 Abasgadzi Magomedov (RUS) moves up to #1 after his Russian nationals title, while former #1 Alexander Bogomoev (RUS) falls to #3 due to inactivity. Yarygin bronze medalist #8 Kezhik Chimba (RUS), European bronze medalist #11 Nikolai Okhlopkov (ROU), Yasar Dogu champ #13 Hamza Alaca (TUR), and 2018 Intercontinental Cup runner-up #17 Eduard Grigorev (POL) have all moved up to 65 KG and been removed from the rankings. 57 KG Takhti Cup bronze medalist Majid Dastan (IRI) beat 2019 world bronze medalist Behnam Ehsanpour (IRI) 2-1 in the Iranian national finals and from this Dasta debuts in the rankings at #9 while Ehsanpour returns at #10 after a brief foray up at 65 KG where he lost at the Matteo Pellicone to Vasyl Shuptar (UKR). 2019 Junior European runner-up Ahmet Duman (TUR) enters the rankings at #12 after beating 2019 European bronze medalist #14 Recep Topal (TUR) in the finals of the Ziolkowski with a 1-1 score. Joining the rankings from their performances at Russian nationals are Zhargal Damdinov (RUS), Dmitry Aksenov (RUS), and Ibragim Ilyasov (RUS) at #16, #17, and #20 respectively.

Other results of note were; 2014 57 KG world bronze medalist Vladislav Andreev (BLR) winning Belarussian nationals over Evgeni Rebikov (BLR); 57 KG Yasar Dogu champ #14 (57) Georgi Vangelov (BUL) winning Bulgarian nationals over Ruhan Hyusnyu Rasim (BUL); Marin Filip (ROU) winning Romanian nationals over 2017 57 KG European runner-up Andrei Dukov (ROU) and Ivan Izdebski (POL) over Piotr Patryk Sobolewski (POL) to win gold at Polish nationals.

65 KG

Russian Nationals Results

GOLD: #1 Gadzhimurad Rashidov over #9 Akhmed Chakaev 2-0

BRONZE: Zagir Shakhiev over Artur Badtiev 10-0

BRONZE: #16 (70) Alan Gogaev over Muslim Saidulaev 6-1

Reigning world champion #1 Gadzhimurad Rashidov (RUS) won his third Russian national title with a 2-0 win over 2018 national champion #9 Akhmed Chakaev. One of the biggest stories of the Russian national tournament was 2016 46 KG Cadet world champion Zagir Shakhiev’s run. Shakiev teched falled Yarygin bronze medalist #8 (61) Kezhik Chimba (RUS) 14-3, won 5-4 over Junior national runner-up Yuri Arakelyan (RUS), and in the quarterfinals absolutely dominated 2016 Olympic champion #6 Soslan Ramonov (RUS). Shakhiev would lose in the semis 5-2 to #9 Akhmed Chakaev but would Artur Badtiev 10-0 for bronze in an absolutely spectacular run.

Taking bronze in the repechage bracket of #1 Gadzhimurad Rashidov was 2017 world bronze medalist Alan Gogaev (RUS) who beat a surging Kadyrov Cup runner-up Muslim Saidulaev (RUS). Other important results to note from Russian nationals were 2019 bronze medalist #13 Murshid Mutalimov (RUS) beating 2018 bronze medalist Dasha Sharastepanov (RUS) 4-0 in the round of 16 then losing 4-2 to runner-up #9 Akhmed Chakaev. In the repechage bracket, Mutalimov would lose to unranked Artur Badtiev (RUS) 3-1. Muslim Saidulaev’s run to the semifinals was a strong one was the 2018 Alans champ defeated 2019 nationals bronze medalist Julian Gergenov 8-0 in the round of 16 and 2018 national runner-up Bekhan Goygereev 5-1 in the quarters. 

Russian nationals was the primary cause of movement for this month and it’s best to start there. Yarygin and European champion #5 Kurban Shiraev (RUS) moved up to 70 KG where he took bronze at nationals and is currently ranked 5th at the weight. Taking the number five spot now is Yarygin bronze medalist Naachyin Kuular who beat national runner-up #6 Akhmed Chakaev in the quarterfinals there. #9 Akhmed Chakaev moves up three spots to #6 after his runner-up finish at Russian nationals while former #6 Soslan Ramonov falls to #8 and Russian nationals bronze medalist Zagir Shakhiev (RUS) debuts in the rankings at #7 for his win over former #6 Soslan Ramonov (RUS), #13 Artur Badtiev (RUS), and #8 (61) Kezhik Chimba (RUS). #16 (70) Alan Gogaev (RUS) returns to the rankings at #11 after taking bronze over Muslim Saidulaev (RUS) who comes in at #18 for his wins over Julian Gergenov (RUS) and Bekhan Goygereev (RUS). Artur Badtiev debuts in the rankings after taking 5th where the 2019 Sargsyan cup runner-up defeated 2019 nationals bronze medalist #13 Murshid Mutalimov (RUS) in the repechage. #15 Sayin Kazyryk moved up to 70 KG where he got teched twice at nationals by #3 Cherman Valiev (RUS) and Ruslan Zhendaev (RUS) 

Other important results were; Amir Mohammad Yazdani (IRI) winning Iranian nationals over Meysam Nasiri (IRI); Krzysztof Bienkowski (POL) winning the Ziolkowski over Ilman Mukhtarov 4-3 and winning 70 KG Polish nationals over Szymon Wojtkowski; Eduard Grigorev (POL) won Polish nationals over Maciej Wojtkowski (POL); Ilman Mukhtarov (FRA) won the International Ukrainian Tournament over Denis Borohan (UKR);  European runner-up #12 Nyurgun Skryabin (BLR) won Belarussian nationals over Vladislav Koiko (BLR); Nicolai Grahmez (BUL) over Stefan Ivanov (BUL) for gold at Bulgarian nationals and Nikolai Okhlopkov (ROU) won Romanian nationals over 2016 57 KG Olympian Ivan Guidea (ROU).

70 KG

Russian Nationals Results

GOLD: #3 Cherman Valiev over #1 David Baev 4-2

BRONZE: #5 (65) Kurban Shiraev over #14 Arpak Sat 6-0

BRONZE: Ruslan Zhendaev over Murad Nukhadiev by forfeit

#3 Cherman Valiev (RUS) got his second win over returning world champion #1 David Baev (RUS) to win his first Russian national title after finishing bronze a year ago. Valiev scored off an early 4 point double and held off Baev to take a 4-2 win. Valiev’s run to gold saw him dominate 65 KG Alans bronze medalist Sayin Kazyryk (RUS), 2019 U-23 world team rep Ruslan Zhendaev (RUS), and 2x Russian nationals bronze medalist Murad Nukhadiev (RUS). Nukhadiev was surrounded by controversy throughout the tournament, choking Valiev out in there semifinal match on his way to an 8-0 loss, then winning a contentious 11-6 quarterfinal match #16 Anzor Zakuev off a chest wrap and then injury defaulting out his bronze medal match. #1 David Baev dominated 65 KG Yarygin and European champ #5 (65) Kurban Shiraev (RUS) 8-0 in the quarters and Shiraev would rebound by defeating 2018 national runner-up #14 Arpak Sat 6-0 for bronze.

From Russian nationals, #3 Cherman Valiev (RUS) moves up to #1 for beating #1 David Baev (RUS) who moves to #2, while #5 (65) Kurban Shiraev (RUS) debuts at 70 KG at #5 while Murad Nukhadiev (RUS), Ruslan Zhendaev (RUS), Imam Adzhiev (RUS), and Viktor Rassadin (RUS) make the rankings at #15, #17, #18, #19, and #15 (65) Sayin Kazyryk (RUS) debuts at #20. #7 Adam Batirov (BRN) got removed for inactivity and #16 Alan Gogaev (RUS) moved back down to 65 KG where he took bronze at Russian nationals. 

Other important results were; 2017 61 KG Junior world champion for Russia Abdulla Akhmedov (BLR) won Belarusian nationals over Denis Solovey (BLR); European champ #3 Magomedmurad Gadzhiev (POL) won the Yasar Dogu over #7 Heydar Yavuz (TUR); Alans runner-up #8 Ramazan Ramazanov (BUL) won Bulgarian nationals over Dmitri Malenkov (BUL); Krzysztof Bienkowski (POL won Polish nationals over Szymon Wojtkowski (POL); Igor Nykyforov (UKR) won the International Ukrainian Tournament over Kasum Kasumov (UKR); returning world bronze medalist Younes Emami (IRI) won Iranian nationals over Amir Hosseini (IRI); George Bucur (ROU) won Romanian nationals over Elod Nulyas (ROU). 

74 KG

Russian Nationals Results

GOLD: #6 Razambek Zhamalov over #8 Khetik Tsabolov 5-1

BRONZE: #9 Timur Bizhoev over #5(79) Nikita Suchkov 3-1

BRONZE: #1 Zaurbek Sidakov over #7 Magomed Kurbanaliev 9-1

#6 Razambek Zhamalov beat #8 Khetik Tsabolov 5-1 to prove that grillers make killers. But before we get too deep into the most dudes rock weight in the world, let’s run through an equally dudes rock finals run that was #8 Khetik Tsabolov (RUS). Tsabolov was reigning number one pound for pound ranked Zaurbek Sidakov (RUS) only loss in the past two years (the 2018 Yarygin finals) and he would be the man to fell the 2x North Ossetian world champ as the returning national runner-up Tsabolov would beat the top ranked Sidakov 9-3 in the round of 16 to avenge his 2018 national finals loss and in the semifinals would defeat returning national champion #7 Magomed Kurbanaliev (RUS) 8-7 to avenge his loss from the 2019 finals.

#6 Razambek Zhamalov’s run to the finals began with another dominant win over two time Russian nationals bronze medalist #15 Nikita Suchkov 7-2 in the qualification round. Wins over Saipulla Alibulatov (RUS) and Magomedmurad Dadaev (RUS) would bring Zhamalov to the semis where he would face off against returning two time bronze medalist #8 Timur Bizhoev (RUS) who was fresh off a upset win over #5 Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov who had beaten Tsabolov and Zhamalov earlier in the year. Zhamalov would claw back and take a 6-6 win on criteria against Zhamalov to move onto his second consecutive Russian nationals finals match. In the finals, Zhamalov would fight off deep Tsabolov leg attacks and use intelligent counters to win 5-1 and take home gold and prove that dudes rock and grillers make killers. Taking bronze in this absolute murderer’s row of a weight was #1 Zaurbek Sidakov (RUS) over #7 Magomed Kurbanaliev (RUS) 9-1 and #8 Timur Bizhoev (RUS) over #15 Nikita Suchkov (RUS) 3-1.

Other important results (but not as important as Russian nationals) were; #11 Alipasha Umarpashaev (BUL) won Bulgarian nationals over Miroslav Kirov (BUL); Maxim Vasilioglu (ROU) won Romanian nationals over Artiom Postica (ROU) and was a runner-up at the Ziolkowski to #19 Fatih Eryilmaz (TUR) in a 4-1 loss; Mostafa Hosseinkhani (IRI) won Iranian nationals over Jamal Ebadi (IRI) 3-0; Azamat Nurikov (BLR) won Belarussian nationals by walk over against Bulat Ataev (BLR); Adlan Bataev (UKR) beat Evgeni Nedealco (MDA) in the International Ukrainain Tournament finals; Marcin Piotr Majka (POL) over Patryk Ciruzynski (POL) to take the 74 KG Polish national title. 

The major movement of this month is #6 Razambek Zhamalov (RUS) moving all the way up to #1 after his Russian national title while #8 Khetik Tsabolov (RUS) climbs up to #2 after his runner-up finish and beating #1 Zaurbek Sidakov (RUS) who falls two spots to #3. #5 Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov (RUS) drops four spots to #9 after losing to #9 Timur Bizhoev (RUS) in the quarterfinals of Russian nationals. 

79 KG

Russian Nationals Results

GOLD: #9 Akhmed Usmanov over Gadzhimurad Alikhmaev 5-2

BRONZE: Amanulla Gadzhimagomedov over Evgeni Lapshov 6-2

BRONZE: #14 Gadzhi Nabiev over #10 Tazhidin Akaev 1-1

#9 Akhmed Usmanov made the most of an open field and staked his claim at the best 79 kilogram in Russia by taking home gold with a 5-2 win over Gazhimurad Alikhmaev. Usmanov had a strong run to the finals that saw him beat returning world bronze medalist #14 Gadzhi Nabiev (RUS) and #10 Tazhidin Akaev (RUS). Alikhamev’s route to the finals was defined by close matches as he got by 2018 intercontinental cup runner-up Amanulla Gadzhimagomedov (RUS) 2-1, 2-1 over #8 Atsamaz Sanakoev (RUS) who fresh off a dominant 9-3 win over returning bronze medalist #7 Kakhaber Khubezhty (RUS) in the round of 16 and Evgeni Lapshov 3-1 in the semis. Lapshov had a strong semifinal run as he upset Junior national champ #15 Magomed Magomaev 5-2 in the round of 16 and then notched the biggest upset of the tournament when he defeated #6 Khalil Aminov (RUS) 1-1 on criteria in the quarterfinals. Taking bronze was Amanulla Gadzhimagomedov (RUS) 6-2 over Evgeni Lapshov (RUS) and #14 Gadzhi Nabiev (RUS) over #10 Tazhidin Akaev (RUS) 2-1. 

Other important results were: Andrei Karpach (BLR) winning Belarusian nationals over Yegor Akulich (BLR); Andrej Sokalski (POL) winning Polish nationals over Sebastian Tomas Bak (POL); Ali Savadkouhi (IRI) winning Iranian nationals over Hamidreza Zarinpeykar (IRI); Saifedine Alekma (FRA) over Alans Amirovs (LAT) 12-6 to win gold at the Ziolkowski; Stefan Danilluc (ROU) winning Romanian nationals over Ianut-Radu Raduica (ROU); Vasyl Mykhailov (UKR) winning the International Ukrainian Tournament over Vycheslav Kapot (UKR); Dzhemal Rushen Ali (BUL) won Bulgarian nationals over Bogomil Ivanon Bonev (BUL).

Because #2 Magomed Ramazanov (RUS), #3 Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov (RUS), #11 Radik Valiev (RUS), and #20 Arsalan Budazhapov (KGZ) all moved up to 86 KG and 2018 national runner-up #15 Khusey Suyunchev (RUS) had to be removed due to inactivity, there was a lot of new additions to the rankings. #9 Akhmed Usmanov (RUS) moves up six spots to #3 after winning Russian nationals while Gadzhimurad Alikhmaev debuts in the rankings at #4 after his runner-up finish at Russian nationals where he beat #6 Evgeni Lapshov (RUS) and #8 Atsamaz Sanakoev (RUS). Evgeni Lapshov (RUS) is in the rankings at #6 for beating #6 Khalil Aminov (RUS) in the Russian nationals quarterfinals, 2018 Intercontinental Cup runner-up Amanulla Gadzhimagomedov (RUS) returns to the rankings at #5 for beating #6 Evgeni Lapshov (RUS) for bronze at Russian nationals. Ali Savadkouhi (IRI) is added at #17 for winning Iranian nationals over Hamid Zarinpeykar, Behman Teymouri, and Peyman Yarahmadi while Hamid Zarinpeykar gets added at #18 for finishing runner-up at Iranian nationals. #14 Gadzhi Nabiev (RUS) moves up four spots to #10 after taking bronze at Russian nationals over #10 Tazhidin Akaev (RUS) who falls to #12. Vasyl Mykhailov (UKR) is in at #19 for winning the International Ukrainian Tournament and Andrei Karpach (BLR) is in at #20 for winning Belarussian nationals. 

86 KG

Russian Nationals Results

GOLD: #5 Dauren Kurugliev over #3 Artur Naifonov 2-1

BRONZE: #2(79) Magomed Ramazanov over Abdulmuslim Timurbulatov 3-1

BRONZE: #11 Arsenali Musalaliev over Magomedsharif Biyakaev 2-1 

In the never ending series that is Dauren Kurugliev vs Artur Naifonov, it was Kurugliev who would come away victorious this time for his second national title with a 2-1 win over the 2x European champion Naifonov. 86 kilograms saw a major influx of 79 KG talent and they showed out quite well with #2 (79) Magomed Ramazanov taking bronze over Abdulmuslim Timurbulatov (RUS) and #3 (79) Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov (RUS) notching wins over 2019 Alans champ Soslan Ktsoev (RUS) and 2018 Alans bronze medalist Slavik Naniev (RUS) to make the quarterfinals. Gadzhimagomedov was stopped by 2x national bronze medalist #11 Arsenali Musalaliev (RUS) 4-1 in the quarters. Ramazanov and Musalaliev both had momentum behind them but were stopped in definitive fashion as Kurugliev defeated Ramazanov 6-0 in the semis and Musalaliev fell to Naifonov 8-0 in the semis. Musalaliev took bronze with a 2-1 win over Yarygin bronze medalist Magomedsharif Biyakaev (RUS).

Other important results were: Piotr Ianulov (MDA) taking the Ziolkowski title over #13 Zbigniew Baranowski (POL) where he defeated #9 Fatih Erdin (TUR) and Baranowski beat #14 Selim Yasar (TUR); Sebastian Jezierzanski (POL) winning Polish nationals over Radoslaw Marcinkiewicz (POL), #2 Hassan Yazdani Charati (IRI) winning Iranian nationals over Asian championships runner-up #17 Ahmed Bazrigaleh (IRI); #19 Rasul Tikhaev (BLR) beating #12 Ali Shabanov (BLR) 3-1 in the Belarussian national finals; Svetoslav Zhivkov Dmitrov (BUL) won Bulgarian nationals over Yordan Ivanov Kungalov (BUL); Andiran Grosul (MDA) won the International Ukrainian Tournament over Rustam Dadaev (UKR); Tudor Racotan (ROU) over Adelin Coman (ROU) to win the Romanian national title.

The movement for this month was that #5 Dauren Kurugliev (RUS) moves up two spots to #3 in the rankings after beating #3 Artur Naifonov (RUS) in the Russian national finals. Two time U-23 world champion #4 Kamran Ghasempour (IRI) moved up to 92 KG where he won Iranian nationals. Two time national bronze medalist Magomed Ramazanov is in at #5 because he beat 2019 European champ #6 Vladislav Valiev last year at the Alrosa Cup, #20 (97) Bo Nickal is in at #8 because he won U-23 world’s at 92 KG where he beat Shamil Zubairov (AZE) who beat Irakli Mtsituri (GEO) before and Irakli beat Dato Marsagishvili (GEO) in the Georgian national finals. #3 (79) Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov slots in at #11, #19 Rasul Tikhaev (BLR) moves up six spots in the rankings to #13 after his win over #12 Ali Shabanov (BLR) in the Belarusian national finals. Piotr Ianulov (MDA) debuts in the rankings at #15 after winning the Ziolkowski over #13 Zbigniew Baranowski (POL) and #9 Fatih Erdin (TUR) who are now at #17 and #16. 

92 KG

Russian Nationals Results

GOLD: #2 Alikhan Zhabrailov over #5 Magomed Kurbanov 3-2

BRONZE: #4 Batyrbek Tsakulov over Ramazan Shabanov 18-7

BRONZE:  #10 Anzor Urishev over Gadzhimagomed Nazhmudinov 2-1

Rinse, wash and repeat last year’s Russian nationals results, returning world bronze medalist #2 Alikhan Zhabrailov beat #5 Magomed Kurbanov (RUS) to win. There were no upsets really at nationals, you get exactly what you expect in Russia at 92 kilograms, nothing ever changes. #4 (86) Kamran Ghasempour moved up and won Iranian nationals over Arashk Mohebbi (IRI). Arkady Pogosyan (BLR) won Belarusian nationals over 2018 86 KG world rep Gadzhi Radzhabov (BLR). #17 (86) Zbigniew Baranowski won Polish nationals over Michal Bielawski (POL) and the International Ukrainian Tournament title over Andriy Vlasov (UKR). Rares Popescu (ROU) won Romanian nationals over Cristin Orbu (ROU) and #19 Ahmed Magomaev (BUL) won Bulgarian nationals over Ivailo Nanchev (BUL). #3 Suleyman Karadeniz (TUR) won the Ziolkowski title up at 97 KG over Radoslaw Baran (POL) by tech. Erhan Yalaci (TUR) teched 2018 86 KG junior Arif Oezen (TUR) in the finals of the Ziolkowski and also beat 2019 86 KG Alans runner-up #8 Georgi Rubaev to debut in the rankings at #11. Other new additions to the rankings are Arkady Pogosyan (BLR) at #17 and Gadzhi Radzhabov (BLR) at #18 and Akhmed Magamaev (BUL) at #19.

97 KG

Russian Nationals Results

GOLD: #1 Abdulrashid Sadulaev over #14 (92) Aslanbek Sotiev 8-2

BRONZE:  Aslanbek Gazzaev over #16 Shamil Musaev 5-0

BRONZE:  Erik Dzhioev over  Rasul Magomedov 3-2

#1 Abdulrashid Sadulaev (RUS) won his fifth national title and outscored his competition 43-4. #14 (92) Aslanbek Sotiev (RUS) was the major story of the weight as he beat 2019 Yarygin champ and returning bronze medalist #16 Shamil Musaev 11-9 in the semis after Musaev had avenged his loss to Yarygin runner-up #15 Magomedkhan Magomedov (RUS) 5-1 in the opening round. From Russian nationals, #14 (92) Aslanbek Sotiev (RUS) enters the rankings at #13, Aslanbek Gazzaev (RUS) enters at #17 for beating #16 Shamil Musaev (RUS) for bronze and Erik Dzhioev (RUS) enters the rankings at #20 after beating Rasul Magomedov for bronze and #19 Magomedgadzhi Nurov (MKD) at the Moscow Grand Prix. 

Other important results were #9 Aleksandr Hushtyn (BLR) won Belarusian nationals over Elvin Hasanov (BLR) and Akhmed Bataev (BUL) won Bulgarian nationals over Tsvetan Danielov Evtimov (BUL). Valerii Andriitsev (UKR) won the International Ukrainian Tournament over Magomed Zakariiev (UKR). #3 (92) Suleyman Karadeniz (TUR) teched Radoslaw Baran (POL) to win the Ziolkowski; Baran was the Polish national champ with a win in the finals over Mateusz Nowalk (POL). Michael Manea (ROU) beat Alfred Loba (ROU) to win Romanian nationals. #12 (92) Shamil Zubairov (AZE) enters the rankings at #16 for his 2018 win over Aslanbek Sotiev and Irakli Mtsituri at U-23 world’s 92 KG and beating Erik Dzhioev at the Moscow Grand Prix. 

The biggest result of the month by far came out of Iranian nationals, where #13 Ali Khalil Shahbenibengar (IRI) upset #2 Mohammad Mohammadian twice to win the spot. Both men beat #14 Mojitaba Goleij (IRI) but it would be Ali Shahbenibengar who would ultimately come away the champion with a 8-4 and a 4-0 win over the Military world games and Matteo Pellicone champ #2 Mohammad Mohammadian (IRI). So from all of this, #3 J’den Cox (USA) goes up to #2, #5 Elizbar Odikadze (GEO) up to #3, #6 Sharif Sharifov (AZE) to #4 because of his win over Mohammadian at the Alrosa Cup and his win over Snyder, and Mohammadian at #5 then Kyle Snyder (USA) at #6 and Ali Khalil Shahabenibengar at #7 because he lost to Odikadze at world’s and he lost to Snyder in last year’s Yasar Dogu finals.

125 KG

Russian Nationals Results

GOLD: #14 Alan Khugaev over #15 Shamil Sharipov 7-4

BRONZE: #5 Anzor Khizriev over Saypudin Magomedov 7-5

BRONZE: Vitali Goloev over  Atsamaz Tebloev 9-8

The landscape of Russia at heavyweight underwent a major change as Batraz “the chin” Gazzaev was pinned first round by Tamerlan Rasuev and returning two time national champion #5 Anzor Khizriev fell to young contender #15 Shamil Sharipov who also took out Tamerlan Rasuev. Khugaev held off young talent on his path to the finals, denying U-23 world runner-up Vitali Goloev and Junior national bronze medalist Atsamaz Tebloev. From the chaos that unfolded at Russian nationals, both Khugaev and Sharipov move up ten spots respectively to #4 and #5 while Batras Gazzaev falls five spots in the rankings to #8 and #5 Anzor Khizriev falls two spots in the rankings to #7. The bottom half of the rankings saw the debut of Russian nationals bronze medalist Vitali Goloev (RUS) at #18, Tamerlan Rasuev (RUS) at #19, and Atsamaz Tebloev (RUS) at #20 for beating Znaur Kotsiev (RUS) and 2019 national runner-up Said Gamidov (RUS).

The other big development was Amin Taheri’s path to the Iranian national title that saw him beat #4 Amir Zare (IRI) and #7 Parviz Hadi (IRI) to take home gold and debut in the rankings at #3. Other relevant results were #14 Robert Baran (POL) winning Polish nationals over Kamil Kosciolek (POL) and the Ziolkowski over Daniel Ligeti (HUN). Islam Adizov (BUL) winning Bulgarian nationals of Georgi Lyubomirov Ivanov (BUL). Daniylo Kartavyi (UKR) winning the International Ukrainian Tournament over Yaroslav Ponomarenko (UKR). Vasile Vlad Caras (ROU) winning Romanian nationals over Cosmin Podar (ROU) and Vitali Piasniak (BLR) winning Belarusian nationals over Georgy Bartsevich (BLR).

Pound-for-Pound

#2 Abdulrashid Sadulaev moves to #1 in the rankings while #4 Gadzhimurad Rashidov moves up two spots to #2. #19 Razambek Zhamalov moves up sixteen spots in the rankings to #3 after winning the 74 KG Russian national title while reigning two time 74 KG world champ Zaurbek Sidakov falls three spots to #4 in the rankings after losing at Russian nationals to #16 Khetik Tsabolov and taking bronze. #16 Khetik Tsabolov moves up ten spots in the rankings to #6 after finishing as runner-up at Russian nationals where he beat #1 Zaurbek Sidakov #19 Magomed Kurbanaliev. #15 Timur Bizhoev is in the pound for pound at #15 for beating #14 Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov in the quarterfinals and for his win in 2019 over Khetik Tsabolov to make the Euro team. 70 KG national champ Cherman Valiev slots in at #16 for beating reigning 70 KG world champ #18 David Baev (RUS) in the 70 KG Russian nationals finals. 61 KG Russian national champ Abasgadzhi Magomedov debuts in the rankings at 25.