October 2023 Men's Freestyle Wrestling International Rankings
57 KG
Stevan Micic (SRB) improved upon his bronze medal from last year’s world championships with a gold medal winning performance in Belgrade. Micic was in top form and was the story of the entire tournament as he knocked off three World/Olympic champions consecutively in the form of #1 Zavur Uguev (RUS), #3 Zelimkhan Abakarov (ALB), and #2 Rei Higuchi (JPN) in the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals as well. Micic was also able to notch a top ten win in the round of 16 over 2021 Islamic Solidarity Games champion #8 Gulomjon Abdullaev (UZB). For his spectacular performance in Belgrade, Micic goes from unranked to number one in the rankings.
In the bronze medal match of Micic’s repechage bracket, 2022 world champion #3 Zelimkhan Abakarov (ALB) took bronze with a 4-4 victory over 2020 Olympic champion #1 Zavur Uguev (RUS). On Higuchi’s repechage bracket, two-time 61 kilogram world bronze medalist #15 Arsen Harutyunyan (ARM) tech falled Meirambek Kartbay (KAZ) 11-0. In the 5th place finisher qualification Olympic qualification match, #1 Zavur Uguev (RUS) beat Meirambek Kartbay (KAZ). Notable results from Higuchi’s repechage bracket include #15 Arsen Harutyunyan (ARM) beating #4 Wanhou Zou (CHN) by 10-0 tech fall and from Micic’s repechage bracket, #1 Zavur Uguev (RUS) beat #8 Gulomjon Abdullaev (UZB) 10-0.
There was a pair of notable upsets on the championship side of the bracket outside of Micic’s run as well. Niklas Stechle (GER) put together strong wins over 2019 Senior World silver medalist Suleyman Atli (TUR) and #5 Almaz Smanbekov (KGZ) to make the quarterfinals. Stechle was ultimately defeated by Meirambek Kartbay (KAZ) 4-1 and was eliminated from the competition. The other notable upset from the tournament was #18 Aliabbaz Rzazade (AZE) beating #6 Zane Richards (USA) in the round of 32 and lost his next match to Milad Valizadeh of Iran (who Richards beat at the Budapest Ranking Series Tournament).
In the aftermath of the World Championships, the following changes to the rankings took place: #15 Arsen Harutyunyan (ARM) moves to #5 for his win over #4 Wanhou Zou (CHN) in repechage. #4 Wanhou Zou (CHN) falls eight spots to #12 due to the fact his resume doesn’t hold up as well (best win over #5 Almaz Smanbekov at Budapest Ranking Series and Smanbekov dropped in the rankings due to loss to Stechle) after the world championships. #1 Zavur Uguev (RUS) drops three spots to #4 for his losses to top ranked Stevan Micic (SRB) in the quarterfinals and to #3 Zelimkhan Abakarov (ALB) in the bronze medal match. Niklas Stechle (GER) debuts in the rankings at #11 for beating #5 Almaz Smanbekov (KGZ) and 2019 world runner-up Suleyman Atli (TUR). #5 Almaz Smanbekov (KGZ) falls eight spots to #13 for his loss to #11 Niklas Stechle (GER). Meirambek Kartbay (KAZ) debuts in the rankings at #10 for beating #11 Niklas Stechle (GER) in the quarterfinals. The reason for why the top ten changed so drastically is that with the upsets of #4 Wanhou Zou (CHN), #5 Almaz Smanbekov (KGZ), and #6 Zane Richards (USA), I went back to the stronger resumes of the Russian trio of #10 Artem Gobaev (RUS), #11 Nachyn Mongush (RUS), and #12 Ramiz Gamzatov (RUS) to round out the top ten at #7, #8, #9 with Meirambek Kartbay (KAZ) rounding out the top ten at #10.
#6 Zane Richards (USA), #7 Thomas Gilman (USA), and #8 Gulomjon Abdullaev (UZB) all dropped twelve spots in the rankings to #18, #19, and #20 due to Richards loss to #17 Aliabbaz Rzazade (AZE), Richards win over Gilman at Final X puts Gilman behind Richards, and Gilman’s win at the Tokyo Olympics puts Abdullaev behind Gilman. Milad Valizadeh (IRI) debuts in the rankings at #16 for beating #17 Aliabbaz Rzazade (AZE) in the round of 16.
In notable action outside of the World Championships, #8 Nachyn Mongush (RUS) won U23 Russian Nationals over Lev Pavlov (RUS) with Imam Umarov (RUS) and Khabib Mekhtikhanov (RUS) taking bronze. #9 Ramiz Gamzatov (RUS) beat Artur Chebodaev (RUS) to win the Dmitri Korkin Memorial Tournament with Musa Mekhtikhanov (RUS) and Alexey Kopylov (RUS) taking bronze.
61 KG
#9 Vito Arujau (USA) upset 2021 Senior World Champion #1 Abasgadzhi Magomedov (RUS) to win gold at the Senior World Championships. Bronze medalists at the Senior World Championships were #5 Taiyrbek Zhumashbek Uulu (KGZ) and #20 Shota Phartenadze (GEO). #9 Vito Arujau (USA) moves up eight spots to number one in the rankings for victories over #1 Abasgadzhi Magomedov (RUS), #5 Taiyrbek Zhumashbek Uulu (KGZ), and #11 Kodai Ogawa (JPN). Kodai Ogawa (JPN) debuts in the rankings at #11 for beating 2022 Senior World runner-up #8 Reza Atri (IRI) in the round of 16. Valentin Bliatsetskyi (UKR) debuts in the rankings at #19 for beating #18 Narankhuu Narmandakh (MGL) in the round of 16 and taking bronze to #20 Shota Phartenadze (GEO).
Senior Russian Nationals bronze medalist #5 Alik Khadartsev (RUS) has been removed from the rankings due to moving up to 65 KG for U23 Russian Nationals where he took fifth. #6 Kezhik Mongush (RUS) won the Dmitri Korkin Memorial Tournament by injury default over #3 Akhmed Idrisov (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Dmitri Korkin Memorial Tournament were #4 Muslim Mekhtikhanov (RUS) and Dinislam Takhtarov (RUS). #7 Bashir Magomedov (RUS) won U23 Russian Nationals over Magomed Abdurakhmanov (RUS) with Bair Bayanduev (RUS) and Alexander Sabanov (RUS) taking bronze.
65 KG
#15 Ismail Musukaev (HUN) won gold at the Senior World Championships with a dominant 11-0 win over Sebastian Rivera (PUR). Bronze medalists at the Senior World Championships were #3 Shamil Mamedov (RUS) and Vazgen Tevanyan (ARM) with #1 Rahman Amouzad (IRI) winning the fifth place Olympic qualification match. #15 Ismail Musukaev (HUN) skyrockets fourteen spots up the rankings to #1 for victories over #1 Rahman Amouzad (IRI), #2 Takuto Otoguro (JPN), #3 Shamil Mamedov (RUS). Sebastian Rivera (PUR) returns to the rankings at #6 for beating Vazgen Tevanyan (ARM) in the semifinals after Tevanyan had beaten #11 Haji Aliyev (AZE) with Aliyev coming off a 3-3 upset win over #4 Tulga Tumur Ochir (MGL). Tevanyan returns to the rankings at #7 for beating #11 Haji Aliyev (AZE) and #14 Abdulmazhid Kudiev (TJK). #11 Haji Aliyev (AZE) moves up three spots to #8 for his win over #4 Tulga Tumur Ochir (MGL). #4 Tulga Tumur Ochir (MGL) drops five spots to #9 for his loss to #8 Haji Aliyev (AZE). #1 Rahman Amouzad (IRI) drops two spots in the rankings to #3 for losses to #1 Ismail Musukaev (HUN) and #2 Shamil Mamedov (RUS).
Aripgadzhi Abdulaev (RUS) won U23 Russian Nationals over Dzhambulat Kizinov (RUS) with Ramazan Chankaev (RUS) and Chaiian Mongush (RUS) taking bronze. Kezhik Chimba (RUS) beat Artur Badtiev (RUS) to win the Dmitri Korkin Memorial Tournament with Ezir Tyulush (RUS) and Ibrahim Elahi (IRI) taking bronze.
70 KG
#17 Zain Retherford (USA) won the Senior World Championships over #10 Amir Mohammad Yazdani (IRI). Bronze medalists at the Senior World Championships were Ramazan Ramazanov (BUL) and #19 Arman Andreasyan (ARM). #1 Evgheni Zherbaev (RUS) lost in his opening match to Yoshinosuke Aoyagi (JPN) and was eliminated from competition when Aoyagi lost in the quarterfinals to #19 Arman Andreasyan (a wrestler Zherbaev beat for world bronze in 2021). For the massive upset of Zherbaev losing in his first match, Zherbaev drops six spots to #7, Yoshinosuke Aoyagi (JPN) debuts in the rankings at #6, #19 Arman Andreasyan (ARM) moves up fifteen spots to #5, #13 Ernazar Akmataliev (KGZ) moves up nine spots to #13 due to his past wins over Andreasyan, Zherbaev, #8 Sheriev, and #2 Yazdani, and Ramazan Ramazanov (BUL) takes the #3 spot for beating #4 Ernazar Akmataliev (KGZ) for bronze.
Magomed Bashir Khaniev (AZE) upset Asian Champion #9 Sanzhar Doszhanov (KAZ) in the round of 32 and would lose his next two matches to #2 Amir Mohammad Yazdani (IRI) and Patryk Olenczyn (POL) in the round of 16 and the first round of repechage respectively. Olenczyn was eliminated in the second round of repechage by #4 Ernazar Akmataliev (KGZ). Olenczyn debuts in the rankings at #18 while Khaniev returns to the rankings at #19 and #9 Sanzar Doszhanov (KAZ) drops eleven spots to #20.
Abhimanyou (IND) put together an excellent showing for himself at his first Senior World Championships, beating #7 Ihor Nykyforuk (UKR) and Nicolai Grahmez (MDA) to make the quarterfinals against #1 Zain Retherford (USA). Abhimanyou (IND) took fifth after a loss to #5 Arman Andreasyan (ARM) to finish fifth in the world and debut in the rankings at #14 while #7 Ihor Nykyforuk and #8 Joey McKenna (who defeated #2 Amir Mohammad Yazdani at the Budapest Ranking Series Tournament) fall eight spots to #15 and #16 respectively.
Viktor Rassadin, hailing from Yakutia and formerly competing for Russia, made his international debut for Tajikistan at the Dmitri Korkin Memorial Tournament. Rassadin looked excellent as he beat #10 Kurban Shiraev (RUS) in the semifinals and #11 Konstantine Kaprynov (RUS) in the finals to take gold to return to the rankings at #9. Bronze medalists at the Dmitri Korkin Memorial Tournament were #10 Kurban Shiraev (RUS) and Zagir Shakhiev (RUS). #8 Inalbek Sheriev (RUS) won U23 Russian Nationals over Ramazan Gadzhimagomedov (RUS). Bronze medalists at U23 Russian Nationals were Khabib Zavurbekov (RUS) and Vladimir Boyanovsky (RUS).
74 KG
In the biggest matchup of the World Championships, #2 Zaurbek Sidakov (RUS) took on #1 Kyle Dake (USA) with Sidakov looking to win his fourth World/Olympic gold and Dake his fifth world title. Sidakov was able to win an electric match against Dake 10-7 to top the 74 KG and pound for pound rankings. Bronze medalists from the Senior World Championships were Khetag Tsabolov (SRB) and Daichi Takatani (JPN). Georgios Kougioumtsidis (GRE) won the fifth place Olympic qualification match by 8-8 cautioning out of #11 Turan Bayramov (AZE).
Daichi Takatani (JPN), a middle of the pack 66 KG wrestler during the last quad, broke through in a major way to debut in the rankings at #6 with victories over #7 Frank Chamizo (ITA), Georgios Kougioumtsidis (GRE), and Anthony Valencia (MEX). Chamizo falls three spots to #10 for his loss to Takatani. Georgios Kougioumtsidis (GRE) put together an excellent trio of ranked wins in the form of #5 Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (BLR), #6 Taimuraz Salkazanov (SVK), and #11 Turan Bayramov (AZE). Add in that Kougioumtsidis lost a tight semifinal match to #2, was pinned in his bronze medal match against #6 Daichi Takatani (JPN) and came back to caution out #11 Turan Bayramov (AZE) after tying the match 8-8 makes his performance at the World Championships all the more impressive and earns him the #7 spot. The trio of Kadimagomedov, Salkazanov, and Chamizo drop three spots each to #8, #9, and #10.
After 2 years of down production compared to the highs he reached before, Khetag Tsabolov (SRB) was able to regain his old form and take bronze at the World Championships. Tsabolov, who holds wins over three Olympic champions in the form of #1 Zaurbek Sidakov, #1 (86) David Taylor, and #2 Hassan Yazdani, notched ranked wins over #13 Younes Emami (IRI), #15 Turan Bayramov (AZE) to return to the rankings at #12. #4 (79) Avtandil Kentchadze (GEO) made a return to 74 KG, where he took world silver in 2018 to #1 Zaurbek Sidakov, and his opening round match was a rematch against Sidakov, losing 7-6 in a barnburner match. Kentchadze’s final record at the World Championships would be 1-2, as he would follow his Sidakov loss with a win over 2020 Olympic bronze medalist Bekzod Abdurakhmanov (UZB) and lost his next match by #13 Younes Emami (IRI). For his return to 74 kilograms, Kentchadze slots in at #14. The final changes from the World Championships were the debut of Arizona State standout Anthony Valencia (MEX) at #18 for beating Ibrahim Moustafa Ranking Series Tournament champion Iakub Shikhdzhamalov (ROU).
#10 David Baev (RUS) made a major impact on the rankings with a title winning performance at the Dmitri Korkin Memorial Tournament over #4 Timur Bizhoev (RUS) to avenge his loss from Russian Nationals. Bronze medalists at the Dmitri Korkin Memorial Tournament were #17 Anzor Zakuev (RUS) and Ismet Cifci (TUR). Baev moves up seven spots in the rankings to #3 for his victory of Baev combined with his victory over former third ranked Cherman Valiev (RUS) at the 2021 70 KG Russian National Wrestle-Off’s. #20 Imam Ganishov (RUS) won U23 Russian Nationals over Mokhamad Nasirkhaev (RUS) with Ramazan Muradov (RUS) and Kamil Abdulvagabov (RUS) taking bronze.
79 KG
#2 Akhmed Usmanov (RUS) won gold at the Senior World Championships over #17 Vladimeri Gamkrelidze (GEO). Bronze medalists at the World Championships were #1 Mohammad Nokhodilarimi (IRI) and #15 Vasyl Mykhailov (UKR). #2 Akhmed Usmanov (RUS) moves up one spot to #1 for beating #1 Mohammad Nokhodilarimi (IRI) in the semifinals of the World Championships. Orkhan Abasov (AZE) debuts in the rankings at #3 for beating #3 Chance Marsteller (USA) in the quarterfinals. Abasov would end up taking fifth after losses in the semifinals and bronze medal match to #1 Akhmed Usmanov (RUS) and #2 Mohammad Nokhodilarimi (IRI).
#4 Avtandil Kentchadze (GEO) cut down to 74 KG for the Senior World Championships where he went 1-2 with a win over Bekzod Abdurakhmanov (UZB) and loses to #1 (74) Zaurbek Sidakov (RUS) and #13 Younes Emami (IRI). #17 Vladimeri Gamkrelidze (GEO) moved up three spots to #14 for beating #15 Bolat Sakaev (KAZ) and #20 Vasyl Mykhailov (UKR) to make the 79 KG world finals. #20 Vasyl Mykhailov (UKR) moves five spots to #15 for beating #15 Bolat Sakaev (KAZ) for bronze at the World Championships.
#7 Gadzhimurad Alikhmaev (RUS) won the Dmitri Korkin Memorial Tournament over Roman Nikolaev (RUS) by injury default. Bronze medalists at the Dmitri Korkin Memorial Tournament were Vasiliy Kirillin (RUS) and #9 Khalid Yakhiev (RUS). 2022 Senior Russian Nationals runner-up #11 Magomed Magomaev (RUS) won U23 Russian Nationals over Junior World Champion Ibragim Kadiev (RUS) with Russian Nationals bronze medalist #12 Akhmed Manilov (RUS) and Dibir Magomedov (RUS) taking bronze. #12 Mohamad Nasirkhaev (RUS) has been dropped from the rankings as he cut back down to 74 KG where he took silver at U23 Russian Nationals to Imam Ganishov (RUS). Akhsarbek Gulaev (SVK) returns to the rankings at #20 for beating Andrei Karpach (BLR).
86 KG
#1 David Taylor (USA) pinned #2 Hassan Yazdani (IRI) to win his fourth World/Olympic gold medal. Bronze medalists at the Senior World Championships were #11 Azamat Dauletbekov (KAZ) and #6 Myles Amine (SMR). Winner of the fifth place finisher Olympic qualification match was Javrail Shapiev (UZB). #11 Azamat Dauletbekov (KAZ) moves up seven spots in the rankings to #4 for beating #4 Arslan Bagaev (RUS), #13 Rakhim Magamadov (FRA), and #19 Magomed Sharipov (BRN). #6 Myles Amine (SMR) drops one spot to #7 with the reentry of #11 Azamat Dauletbekov (KAZ) into the top 5, due to the fact Dauletbekov beat Amine at last year’s world championships.
The 86 kilogram bracket was full of upsets and from this three new athletes were ranked. The most prominent of these athletes was 2020 Olympic fifth place finisher Javrail Shapiev of Uzbekistan. Shapiev put together an incredibly impressive trio of wins over the likes of Sebastian Jezierzanski (POL), #9 Osman Gocen (TUR), and #13 Hayato Ishiguro (JPN) to make the semifinals before losing to #2 Hassan Yazdani (IRI) and #7 Myles Amine (SMR) respectively. For his ranked wins, Shapiev returns to the rankings at #9. Two-time Junior World Champion Rakhim Magamadov (FRA) put together an excellent performance to make the quarterfinals of the World Championships, punctuated by a win in the round of 16 over #10 Abubakar Abakarov (AZE) before falling in the quarterfinals to #4 Azamat Dauletbekov (KAZ). For his victory, Magamadov takes the #13 spot in the rankings while #10 Abubakar Abakarov (AZE) drops four spots to #14. Magomed Sharipov (BRN) returns to the rankings at #19 for beating 2022 world bronze medalist Boris Makoev (SVK) in the round of 16.
#3 Artur Naifonov (RUS) won the Dmitri Korkin Memorial Tournament over two-time 79 KG Russian Nationals champion #18 Malik Shavaev (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Dmitri Korkin Memorial Tournament were Ali Mansouri (IRI) and #6 Amanulla Gadzhimagomedov (RUS). Magomed Nurov (RUS) won U23 Russian Nationals over Salaman Khidirov (RUS) with Arsen Balayan (RUS) and Akhmed Mirzabegov (RUS) taking bronze.
92 KG
Rizabek Aitmukhan (KAZ) won gold at the Senior World Championships over #4 Osman Nurmagomedov (AZE). Bronze medalists at the Senior World Championships were #3 Zahid Valencia (USA) and #7 Feyzullah Akturk (TUR). While there are those that would justify Aitmukhan as the new top ranked wrestler in the world as the Senior World Champion, I have put Junior World Champion #8 Mohammad Azimi (IRI) as the new #1 as he holds a victory over Aitmukhan from Junior World’s and beat Senior World silver medalist #4 Osman Nurmagomedov (AZE). The other reason I picked Azimi as number one was because Aitmukhan has multiple losses on the year (#3 Valencia at the Budapest Ranking Series Tournament, #5 Arash Yoshida at the Asian Championships, Nathan Jackson and #11 Feyzullah Akturk at the Ibrahim Moustafa Ranking Series Tournament).
#1 Vladislav Valiev (RUS) drops five spots in the rankings to #6 for his loss in the round of 16 to Asian Champion Arash Yoshida (JPN). Arash Yoshida (JPN) returns to the rankings at #5 for beating #1 Vladislav Valiev (RUS). Yoshida finished fifth at the World Championships after losses to #3 Osman Nurmagomedov (AZE) and #4 Zahid Valencia (USA). #2 Amirali Azarpira (IRI) drops five spots in the rankings to #7 for his loss in the round of 16 to #4 Zahid Valencia (USA).
` #7 Feyzullah Akturk (TUR) falls four spots to #11 for his loss to #2 Rizabek Aitmukhan (KAZ) along with his loss from the 2022 U23 World Championships to #10 Amirhossein Firouzpour (IRI). #10 Amirhossein Firouzpour (IRI) took gold at the Dmitri Korkin Memorial Tournament over Nurgun Sergin (RUS). Bronze medalists at the Dmitri Korkin Memorial Tournament were #13 Alan Bagaev (RUS) and #17 Tazhudin Mukhtarov (RUS). Firouzpour’s win over Bagaev avenges a loss from earlier this year at the Commonwealth Cup and Sergin’s victory over Senior Russian Nationals runner-up #17 Tazhudin Mukhtarov (RUS) debut him in the rankings at #17.
#13 Alan Bagaev (RUS) won U23 Russian Nationals over Junior World bronze medalist #15 Mustafagadzhi Malachdibirov (RUS) with Shamil Gadzhialiev (RUS) and Ivan Kirillov (RUS) taking bronze. #15 Mustafagadzhi Malachdibirov (RUS) notched the biggest victory of his career when he upset Russian Nationals bronze medalist #12 Ashkab Saadulaev (RUS) to make the finals. Malachdibirov moves up one spot to #14 and Saadulaev falls three spots to #15 for his loss to Malachdibirov.
97 KG
#10 Akhmed Tazhudinov (BRN) won the 97 KG Senior World Championships in dominant fashion with a pin over returning world bronze medalist #8 Magomedkhan Magomedov (AZE). Tazhudinov’s dominance was the story of the weight as he tech falled three opponents, pinned Magomedov, and was up 9-2 on seven-time World/Olympic champion #1 Abdulrashid Sadulaev (RUS) before Sadulaev injury forfeited out of the match and the tournament with a neck injury. Bronze medalists at the World Championships were #2 Kyle Snyder (USA) and #9 Givi Matcharashvili (GEO). #10 Akhmed Tazhudinov (BRN) takes the number one spot in the world for his wins over #1 Abdulrashid Sadulaev (RUS), #2 Kyle Snyder (USA), and #8 Magomedkhan Magomedov (AZE). Ibragim Ciftci (TUR) won the fifth place finisher Olympic Qualification match by default against #2 Abdulrashid Sadulaev (RUS).
#12 Sergey Kozyrev (RUS) won U23 Russian Nationals over Gadzhimurad Kadilov (RUS) with Arsen Aliev (RUS) and Ramazan Shahbanov (RUS) taking bronze. #11 Shamil Musaev (RUS) won the Dmitri Korkin Memorial Tournament over Junior World Champion Abolfaz Babalu (IRI) with Orgilokh Dagvadorj (MGL) taking bronze.
125 KG
#3 Amir Zare (IRI) won his second Senior World Title with an 11-0 drubbing of #4 Geno Petriashvili (GEO) in the world finals match. Bronze medalists at the Senior World Championships were #8 Mason Parris (USA) and #2 Taha Akgul (TUR). #5 Abdulla Kurbanov (RUS) won the fifth place finisher Olympic qualification match against Daniel Ligeti (HUN). #3 Amir Zare (IRI) moves up two spots in the rankings to #1 in the world for his wins over #2 Taha Akgul (TUR), #4 Geno Petriashvili (GEO), #16 Dzianis Khramiankov (BLR), and Daniel Ligeti (HUN). While there is a strong contingent that argues for Gable Steveson (USA) to hold the top spot based off the pedigree he boasts, Steveson has not competed outside of domestic competition since the 2020 Olympics, didn’t compete at 2021, 2022, or the 2023 World Championships, and Zare has all his best wins (Petriashvili, Akgul) but done multiple times and in more dominant fashion.
#8 Mason Parris (USA) moves up three spots in the rankings to #5 for his ranked wins over #5 Abdulla Kurbanov (RUS) and #14 Zhiwei Deng (CHN). 2018 Senior World runner-up Zhiwei Deng (CHN) returns to the rankings at #14 for beating #13 Lkhagvagerel Munkhtur (MGL) in the round of 32. Munkhtur falls two spots to #15 for his loss to Deng. Daniel Ligeti (HUN) returns to the rankings at #18 for beating #16 Dzianis Khramiankov (BLR) in repechage. Khramiankov falls three spots tom #19 for his loss to #18 Daniel Ligeti (HUN).
Two-time Junior World Champion Amirreza Masoumi (IRI) made his return to the rankings in a major way by winning the Dmitri Korkin Memorial Tournament with a win over #7 Zelimkhan Khizriev (RUS) to make the finals and beating #10 Anzor Khizriev (RUS) for gold. For his victories over the Brothers Khizriev, Masoumi takes the #8 slot in the rankings. Bronze medalists from the Dmitri Korkin Memorial Tournament were #9 Zelimkhan Khizriev (RUS) and Ostap Pasenok (RUS). #12 Khabib Davudgadzhiev (RUS) won U23 Russian Nationals over Artem Pukhovsky (RUS) with Shota Kortiev (RUS) and Gamzat Alizhudinov (RUS).
Pound for Pound
Due to the highly turbulent and upset filled nature of the past world championships, a menagerie of pound for pound staples were removed from the pound for pound rankings. Seven-time World/Olympic champion #20 Jordan Burroughs (USA) has been removed from the rankings due to losses to #14 Chance Marsteller (USA) and #18 Ali Savadkouhi (IRI) who are both also unranked now. 2022 125 KG world champion #24 Taha Akgul (TUR) has been removed from the rankings due to his loss #18 at the World Championships. 2022 92 KG Senior World champion #21 Kamran Ghasempour (IRI) has been removed from the rankings due to inactivity and not defending his two 92 KG world titles this year.
#18 Ali Savadkouhi (IRI), who beat #1 Zaurbek Sidakov (RUS) and Jordan Burroughs (USA) in 2022, was removed from the rankings due to his loss to #17 Avtandil Kentchadze (GEO) at the Budapest Ranking Series Tournament, with Kentchadze removed due to losses to #1 (P4P) Zaurbek Sidakov (RUS) and #13 (74) Younes Emami (IRI). 2020 Olympic champion #11 Gable Steveson (USA) was removed from the pound for pound due to the increased change from the World Championships plus the weaker nature of heavyweight and him not competing at world’s made his argument over other world champions and the breakthrough middleweights at 74 KG invalid. #14 Chance Marsteller has been removed due to his loss to #3 (79) Orkhan Abasov (AZE) at the 79 KG world championships.
#9 Kyle Snyder (USA) was dropped from the pound for pound rankings because while his resume is stronger in the earlier half of the year, when pressed against the more well rounded recent accomplishments of champions at deeper weights (57, 65, 74), his argument to a pound for pound spot doesn’t hold up. 2020 Olympic champion #23 Takuto Otoguro (JPN) was removed from the rankings due to an injury loss to #13 Ismail Musukaev (HUN) coupled with inactivity against pound for pound talent since the 2020 Olympics. 2021 61 KG world champion Abasgadzhi Magomedov (RUS) was removed from the pound for pound rankings due to his loss in the 61 KG world finals to #18 Vito Arujau (USA).
Stevan Micic (SRB) makes his debut in the pound for pound rankings at #3 after winning gold at the 57 KG Senior World Championships with victories over three past world champions in the form of #2 Zavur Uguev (RUS), #10 Rei Higuchi (JPN), and Zelimkhan Abakarov (ALB). Three-time World/Olympic champion #2 Zavur Uguev (RUS) falls seven spots in the rankings to #9 for his losses to #3 Stevan Micic (SRB) and Zelimkhan Abakarov (ALB). 2022 57 KG Senior World Champion Zelimkhan Abakarov (ALB) makes his return to the pound for pound rankings at #8 for beating #9 Zavur Uguev (RUS) at the World Championships to avenge a loss from earlier this year in May at PWL-4. I dropped #10 Rei Higuchi (JPN) down six spots due to his resume (wins over an injured Otoguro up at 65 KG in 2018, Olympic run in 2016 over past world champs in Hassan Rahimi, Kyong Il Yang, Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez, 2022 and 2023 world championships with best wins being over Arsen Harutyunyan) not quite holding up the stronger quintet of 74 and 65 KG wrestlers ranked above him.
Akhmed Tazhudinov (BRN) debuts in the pound for pound rankings at #4 for upsetting seven-time World/Olympic champion #1 Abdulrashid Sadulaev (RUS) and four-time World/Olympic champion Kyle Snyder (USA) to win the 97 KG world title. #1 Abdulrashid Sadulaev (RUS) drops five spots in the rankings to #6 for his loss to #4 Akhmed Tazhudinov (BRN).
#5 Zaurbek Sidakov (RUS) takes hold of the top pound for pound spot for his title winning performance in the 74 KG world finals against #3 Kyle Dake (USA). 2019 70 KG Senior World Champion David Baev (RUS) is back in the pound for pound rankings for beating #12 Timur Bizhoev (RUS) in the finals of the 74 KG Dmitri Korkin Memorial Tournament. Bizhoev has wins this year over Baev at Russian Nationals and pound for pound king Zaurbek Sidakov (RUS) at the Commonwealth Cup.
Two-time 65 KG world bronze medalist Ismail Musukaev (HUN) rebounded in a major way from failing to place at any tournaments this year (5th at the Zagreb Open, 7th at the Budapest Open) to winning gold at the 65 KG Senior World Championships with victories over the top three ranked 65 KG wrestlers in returning world champion #1 (65) Rahman Amouzad (IRI), 2020 Olympic champion #2 Takuto Otoguro (JPN), and Russian Nationals champion #3 Shamil Mamedov (RUS). Musukaev’s excellent run in Belgrade earns him the #13 spot in the rankings. Shamil Mamedov (RUS) returns to the pound for pound rankings at #14 for beating #15 Rahman Amouzad (IRI) for bronze at the 65 KG World Championships.
Vito Arujau (USA) debuts in the pound for pound rankings at #17 for winning gold at the 61 KG Senior World Championships over 2021 World Champion #2 (61) Abasgadzhi Magomedov (RUS). Amir Zare (IRI) returns to the pound for pound rankings at #18 for winning his second 125 KG world title in a dominant 11-0 victory. Daichi Takatani (JPN) debuts in the pound for pound rankings at #19 for beating #20 Giorgios Kougioumtsidis (GRE) and #22 Frank Chamizo (ITA) on his way to taking bronze at the 74 KG World Championships. Georgios Kougioumtsidis (GRE) debuts in the pound for pound rankings at #20 for beating two-time 74 KG world runner-up #21 Taimuraz Salkazanov (SVK) and 2020 74 KG Olympic runner-up Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (BLR) at the 74 KG Senior World Championships. Khetag Tsabolov (SRB) returns to the pound for pound rankings at #25 for taking bronze at the 74 KG Senior World Championships with victories over Turan Bayramov (AZE) and Younes Emami (IRI). Tsabolov holds pound for pound victories over #1 Zaurbek Sidakov (RUS), #5 David Taylor (USA), #7 Hassan Yazdani (IRI), and #12 Timur Bizhoev (RUS). The win over Emami is especially significant as Emami tech falled formerly seventeenth ranked Avtandil Kentchadze (GEO) in repechage.