2023 57 KG Russian Nationals Preview

Day one of Russian Nationals goes down today and the first three weights that are competing are 57., 65, and 70 KG. With each weight featuring a bevy of talent including World & Olympic champions, European champions, multiple Russian Nationals medalists and Yarygin champions, this year’s competition will be one to watch. This article will cover the 57 kilogram weight class that is headlined by three-time World/Olympic champion Zavur Uguev.

Title Contenders

#1 Zavur Uguev (RUS)- 2018 57 KG World champion, 2019 57 KG Ali Aliev champ, 2019 57 KG European Games bronze medalist, 3x Yarygin champ (‘17, ‘18, ‘23), 2019 57 KG Russian Nationals wrestle-off, 2017 57 KG Intercontinental Cup champ, 2017 57 KG Kunaev champ, 2020 57 KG Russian Nationals champion, 2021 57 KG Russian Nationals champion, 2022 57 KG Russian Nationals champion, 2020 57 KG Olympics champion, 2019 57 KG Senior World champion, 2020 57 Kg Individual World Cup champion, 2017 57 KG Yasar Dogu bronze medalist, 2019 57 KG European Games bronze medalist. Key Wins: Nurislam Sanayev (2018 57 KG world championships finals), Giorgi Edisherashvili (2019 57 KG Ali Aliev), Muslim Sadulaev (2018 57 KG Russian Nationals), Aryan Tyutrin (2019 57 KG Russian world team wrestle-off), Yuki Takahashi (2018 world wrestling championships semis), Abasgadzhi Magomedov (2017 57 KG Kunaev, 2017 57 KG Intercontinental Cup), Magomedrasul Idrisov (2016 57 KG Intercontinental Cup finals), Suleyman Atli (2019 57 KG Senior World finals), Makhir Amiraslanov (2019 57 KG Senior World Championships), Bekhbayar Erdenebat (2019 57 KG Senior World championships), Reza Atri (2020 57 KG Olympics, 2019 57 KG Senior World championships), Nachyn Mongush (2021 57 KG Russian Nationals finals, 2022 57 KG Russian Nationals finals), Gulomjon Abdullaev (2022 57 KG PWL showcase match, 2020 57 KG Olympics), Zelimkhan Abakarov (2023 PWL 4 showcase match), Nariman Israpilov (2017 57 KG Yarygin), Artem Gebek (2017 57 KG Yarygin, 2017 57 KG Kunaev), Khasanhussein Badrudinov (2017 57 KG Russian Nationals, 2017 57 KG Kunaev), Muslim Sadulaev (2018 57 KG Russian Nationals, 2020 57 KG Russian Nationals), Azamat Tuskaev (2020 57 KG Russian Nationals finals), Ramiz Gamzatov (2023 57 KG Yarygin), Akhmed Idrisov (2023 57 KG Yarygin finals), Ramazan Abdurakhimov (2023 57 KG Yarygin), Magomed Abdurakhmanov (2023 57 KG Yarygin), Omak Syuryun (2017 57 KG Russian Nationals), Ravi Kumar (2019 57 KG Senior World championships, 2020 57 KG Olympic finals), Akhmed Idrisov (2023 57 KG Yarygin finals), Thomas Gilman (2020 57 KG Olympics  Key Losses: Makhir Amiraslanov (2019 European Games semifinals), Giorgi Edisherashvili (2018 European Championships finals, 2017 European championships semis), Azamat Tuskaev (2017 Alans finals), Sandeep Tomar (2017 57 KG World championships), Suleyman Atli (2017 57 KG Yasar Dogu)

Medal Contenders

#2 Akhmed Idrisov (RUS)- 2018 57 KG Junior World Champion, 2019 57 KG Junior World bronze medalist, 2019 57 KG Alans champion 2020 57 KG Russian Nationals bronze medal match, 2018 57 KG Intercontinental Cup 5th place finisher, 2020 57 KG Yarygin runner-up, 2021 57 KG U23 European Champion, 2021 61 KG Umakhanov Tournament champion, 2022 57 KG Yarygin runner-up, 2022 61 KG Russian Nationals runner-up, 2022 61 KG Dmitri Korkin Memorial Tournament runner-up, 2022 61 KG International Khasavyurt Tournament runner-up, 2023 57 KG Yarygin runner-up Key Wins: Abasgadzhi Magomedov (2022 61 KG All-Russian Spartakiad), Cherman Tavitov (2022 61 KG Russian Nationals), Aldar Balzhinimaev (2022 61 KG Russian Nationals semifinals), Bekhbayar Erdenebat (2019 57 KG Alans finals), Azamat Tuskaev (2019 57 KG Alans quarterfinals), Abubakr Mutaliev (2019 57 KG Alans semifinals), Arsen Harutyunyan (2018 57 KG Junior World championships), Naveen Naveen (2018 57 KG Junior world finals), Aliabbas Rzazade (2021 57 KG U23 European Championships finals), Ramaz Turmanidze (2021 57 KG U23 European Championships), Zanabazar Zandanbud (2022 57 KG Yarygin), Musa Mekhtikhanov (2022 57 Kg Yarygin semis), Ramiz Gamzatov (2021 61 KG Umakhanov Tournament finals, 2020 57 KG Russian Nationals bronze medal match), Bashir Magomedov (2021 61 KG Umakhanov Tournament semifinals), Fedor Baltuev (2021 61 KG Umakhanov Tournament), Taras Markovych (2021 61 KG Umakhanov Tournament), Muslim Mekhtikhanov (2022 61 KG Umakhanov Tournament, 2022 61 KG All-Russian Spartakiad quarterfinals), Donduk-Ool Khuresh Ool (2020 57 KG Russian Nationals qualification round), Giorgi Edisherashvili (2019 57 KG Bundesliga), Reineri Andreu Ortega (2019 57 KG Bundesliga). Key Losses: Abasgadzhi Magomedov (2022 61 KG Russian Nationals finals, 2022 61 KG Dmitri Korkin Memorial, 2022 61 KG International Khasavyurt Tournament), Ramiz Gamzatov (2022 57 KG Yarygin finals, 2018 57 KG Intercontinental Cup), Azamat Tuskaev (2020 57 KG Yarygin finals, 2020 57 KG Russian Nationals), Kuzhuget Belek-Ool (2021 57 KG Russian Nationals qualification round), Vito Arujau (2019 57 KG Junior World Championships), Nachyn Mongush (2019 57 KG Russian Junior Nationals), Dzhabrail Gairbekov (2018 57 KG Intercontinental Cup bronze medal match), Zavur Uguev (2023 57 KG Yarygin finals)

#3 Ramiz Gamzatov (RUS)- 2018 57 KG Ali Aliev bronze medalist, 2018 57 KG Semenov Cup bronze medalist, 2018 57 KG Intercontinental Cup champion, 2018 57 KG Semenov Cup bronze medalist, 2018 57 KG Alans bronze medalist, 2019 57 KG Russian Nationals champion, 2019 57 KG U23 World Championships 5th place, 2019 57 KG Alans 5th place finisher, 2020 57 KG Yarygin bronze medalist, 2020 Russian Nationals 5th place finisher, 2021 57 KG Yarygin bronze medalist, 2021 57 KG Ali Aliev champion, 2021 61 KG Umakhanov Tournament runner-up, 2022 57 KG Yarygin champion, 2022 57 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament bronze medalist, 2022 57 KG Russian Nationals bronze medalist, 2022 57 Kg All-Russian Spartakiad champion, 2022 2nd Ivan Poddubny Tournament runner-up, 2022 57 KG Khasavyurt Tournament bronze medalist, 2023 57 KG Yarygin bronze medalist. Key Wins: Musa Mekhtikhanov (2022 57 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament bronze medal match, 2022 57 KG All-Russian Spartakiad finals, 2023 57 KG Yarygin), Akhmed Idrisov (2022 57 KG Yarygin finals, 2018 57 KG Intercontinental Cup semifinals), Islam Bazarganov (2020 57 KG Moscow Cup), Almaz Smanbekov (2018 Ali Aliev qualification round), Bekbolot Myrzanazar Uulu (2018 57 KG Ali Aliev bronze medal match), Dzhabrail Gairbekov (2018 57 KG Intercontinental Cup quarterfinals), Zhargal Damdinov (2022 57 KG Yarygin qualification match), Magomed Abdurakhmanov (2022 57 KG Yarygin rd 16), Azamat Tuskaev (2022 57 KG Ivan Yarygin quarterfinals), Muslim Sadulaev (2019 57 KG Russian Nationals finals, 2022 57 KG All-Russian Spartakiad quarterfinals), Ramazan Abdurakhimov (2022 57 KG Russian Nationals bronze medal match, 2022 57 KG All-Russian Spartakiad semifinals, 2023 57 KG Yarygin bronze medal match), Mikhail Ivanov (2019 57 KG Russian Nationals semifinals, 2019 57 KG Alans qualification round), Zhargal Damdinov ( 2018 57 KG Alans bronze medal match, 2019 57 KG Alans Rd16, 2020 57 KG Yarygin bronze medal match), Artur Chebodaev (2020 57 KG Russian Nationals quarterfinal, 2021 57 KG Yarygin quarterfinal), Nachyn Mongush (2020 57 KG Russian Nationals qualification round, 2021 57 KG Russian Nationals wrestle-off’s), Donduk-Ool Khuresh-Ool (2021 57 KG Yarygin bronze medal match, 2022 57 KG All-Russian Spartakiad qualification match), Aryan Tyutrin (2022 57 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament), Abubakr Mutaliev (2020 57 KG Yarygin qualification match, 2021 57 KG Yarygin RD16), Daniel DeShazer (2022 61 KG Yasar Dogu qualification match), Alexander Sabanov (2020 57 KG Yarygin repechage rd2, 2021 61 KG Khasavyurt Tournament quarterfinals), Ulukbek Zholdoshbekov (2021 61 KG Khasavyurt Tournament Rd16), Rahman Mintullaev (2021 61 KG Khasavyurt Tournament semifinals), Alexei Kopylov (2022 57 KG Russian Nationals quarterfinals), Ibragim Abdurakhmanov (2018 57 KG Intercontinental Cup finals), Key Losses: Reineri Andreu Ortega (2019 57 KG U23 World Championships semifinals), Abubakr Mutaliev (2021 57 KG Russian Nationals wrestle-off’s), Afghan Khashalov (2019 57 KG U23 World Championships bronze medal match), Akhmed Idrisov (2021 61 KG Umakhanov Tournament Finals, 2020 57 KG Russian Nationals bronze medal match), Nachyn Mongush (2022 57 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament, 2022 Russian Nationals semifinals, 2022 57 KG 2nd Ivan Poddubny Tournament finals), Azamat Tuskaev (2021 57 KG Russian Nationals rd 16, 2020 57 KG Yarygin quarterfinals, 2018 57 KG Semenov Cup), 2020 57 KG Russian Nationals semifinals), Donduk-Ool Khuresh-Ool (2018 57 KG Russian Nationals quarterfinals), Aryan Tyutrin (2018 57 KG Russian Nationals bronze medal match, 2019 57 KG Ziolkowski), Musa Mekhtikhanov (2021 57 KG Yarygin semifinal match), Alexander Sabanov (2019 57 KG Alans bronze medal match), Ahmet Tas (2022 61 KG Yasar Dogu RD16), Ramazan Abdurakhimov (2022 57 KG Umakhanov Tournament), Abasgadzhi Magomedov (2018 57 KG Alans qualification match), Zavur Uguev (2023 57 KG Yarygin), Ismail Gadzhiev (2018 57 KG Ali Aliev semifinals), Omak Syuryun (2017 57 KG Russian Nationals RD 16).

#4 Azamat Tuskaev (RUS)- 2020 57 KG Russian nationals runner-up, 2020 Yarygin champion, 2020 European champion, 2017 57 KG Alans champion, 2013 57 KG Russian Nationals bronze medalist, 2014 57 KG Junior World champion, 2015 57 KG Russian Nationals bronze medalist, 2021 57 KG Military World champion. Key Wins: #1 Zavur Uguev (2017 57 KG Alans finals), #3 Akhmed Idrisov (2020 57 KG Russian nationals semifinals, 2020 57 KG Yarygin finals), #13 (61) Suleyman Atli (2020 European championships finals), Abubakar Mutaliev (2019 57 KG Alans bronze medal match), Horst Lehr (2020 57 KG European Championships), Ahmad Javan 92021 57 KG Military World Championships finals), Nachyn Mongush (2022 57 KG All-Russian Spartakiad qualification round, 2022 57 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Finals), Abubakar Mutaliev (2022 57 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament), Ramazan Abdurakhimov (2022 57 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament), Ramiz Gamzatov (2021 57 KG Russian Nationals rd 16, 2020 57 KG Yarygin quarterfinals, 2018 57 KG Semenov Cup), Islam Bazarganov (2019 57 KG Ali Aliyev), Dzhabrail Gairbekov (2019 57 KG Ali Aliev), Khasanhussein Badrudinov (2019 57 KG Ali Aliev), Alik Khadartsev (2018 57 KG Russian Nationals RD 16), Zhargal Damdinov (2018 57 KG Russian Nationals qualification round), Rasul Mashezov (2017 57 KG Ali Aliyev), Parviz Ibrahimov (2017 57 KG Ali Aliyev semifinals), Key Losses: #1 Zavur Uguev (2018 57 KG Yarygin finals, 2019 57 KG Ali Aliev finals, 2020 57 KG Russian Nationals finals), Akhmed Idrisov (2019 57 KG Alans), #13 (61) Suleyman Atli (2017 U-23 European finals), Nachyn Mongush (2021 57 KG Russian Nationals semifinals), Amir Chamzyn (2022 57 KG Russian Nationals quarterfinals), Petr Kopylov (2022 57 KG All-Russian Spartakiad quarterfinals), Ramiz Gamzatov (2022 57 KG Yarygin quarterfinals), Abubakar Mutaliev (2021 57 KG Russian Nationals wrestle-offs), Khasanhussein Badrudinov (2019 57 KG Intercontinental Cup quarterfinals), Mikhail Ivanov (2019 57 KG Russian Nationals quarterfinals), Muslim Sadulaev (2018 57 KG Alans qualification round), Aryan Tyutrin (2018 57 KG Russian Nationals quarterfinals), Magomedrasul Idrisov (2017 57 KG Russian Nationals RD 16)

#6 Nachyn Mongush (RUS)- 2019 57 KG Junior European champion, 2019 57 KG Junior Russian Nationals runner-up, 2021 57 KG Russian Nationals runner-up, 2021 57 KG European Championships runner-up, 2021 61 KG Military World Champion, 2022 57 KG Russian Nationals runner-up, 2022 57 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament runner-up, 2022 57 KG 2nd Ivan Poddubny Tournament champion, 2022 57 KG All-Russian Spartakiad 10th place, 2022 57 KG Dmitri Korkin Memorial bronze medalist, 2023 57 KG Yarygin 7th place, 2023 57 KG Baikal Open champion. Key Wins: Ramiz Gamzatov (2022 57 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament, 2022 Russian Nationals semifinals, 2022 57 KG 2nd Ivan Poddubny Tournament finals), Musa Mekhtikhanov (202157 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament), Amir Chamzyn (2023 57 KG Baikal Open Final), Ramazan Abdurakhimov (2022 57 KG Russian Nationals), Muslim Sadulaev (2022 57 KG Russian Nationals), Aryan Tyutrin (2021 57 KG European Championships), Akhmed Idrisov (2019 57 KG Junior Russian Nationals RD16), Afghan Khashalov (2021 57 KG European Championships), Mikhail Ivanov (2021 57 KG Russian Nationals), Azamat Tuskaev (2021 57 KG Russian Nationals semifinals) Key Losses: Zavur Uguev (2022 57 KG Russian Nationals finals, 2021 57 KG Russian Nationals finals), Artur Chebodaev (2023 57 KG Yarygin), Suleyman Atli (2021 57 KG European Finals), Akbar Kurbanov (2020 57 KG Yarygin RD 16), Reineri Andreu Ortega (2022 57 KG Korkin semifinals), Makhmudjon Shavkatov (2019 57 KG Medved qualification round), Azamat Tuskaev (2022 57 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament, 2022 57 KG 2nd Ivan Poddubny Tournament qualification round), Ramiz Gamzatov (2020 57 KG Russian Nationals qualification round), Magomed Abdurakhmanov (2019 57 KG Junior Russian Nationals finals).

#7 Musa Mekhtikhanov (RUS)- 2022 57 KG Russian Nationals bronze medalist, 2021 57 KG Yarygin runner-up, 2019 57 KG Kadyrov Cup bronze medalist, 2022 57 KG All-Russian Spartakiad runner-up, 2021 57 KG U23 Russian Nationals bronze medalist, 2022 57 KG Ali Aliyev champion, 2022 57 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament 5th place finisher, 2019 57 KG Semenov Cup bronze medalist, 2022 57 KG International Khasavyurt Tournament champion, 2022 57 KG 2nd Ivan Poddubny Tournament runner-up, 2022 57 KG Yarygin bronze medalist, 2022 57 KG Semenov Cup runner-up (injury default to Abubakar Mutaliev). Key Wins: Ananda Dashiev (2021 57 KG Ali Aliev), Khasanhussein Badrudinov (2021 57 KG Ali Aliev bronze medal match), Ramiz Gamzatov (2021 57 KG Yarygin semifinals), Amir Chamzyn (2021 57 KG Yarygin RD16, 2022 57 KG Russian Nationals bronze medal match), Donduk-Ool Khuresh-Ool (2021 57 KG Yarygin quarterfinals), Magomed Abdurakhmanov (2019 57 KG Kadyrov Cup quarterfinals, 2022 57 KG Ali Aliev finals), Ramazan Abdurakhimov (2019 57 KG Kadyrov Cup bronze medal match, 2022 57 KG International Khasavyurt Tournament finals), Fedor Postnikov (2019 57 KG Semenov Cup bronze medal match), Petr Kopylov (2022 57 KG Yarygin quarterfinals), Artur Chebodaev (2022 57 KG Semenov Cup). Key Losses: Ramiz Gamzatov (2022 57 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament bronze medal match, 2022 57 KG All-Russian Spartakiad finals, 2023 57 KG Yarygin ), Aryan Tyutrin (2021 57 KG Yarygin finals), Zavur Uguev (2022 57 KG Russian Nationals qualification round), Muslim Sadulaev (2019 57 KG Kadyrov Cup semifinals, 2021 57 KG Umakhanov Tournament RD32), Nachyn Mongush (2022 57 KG 1st Ivan Poddubny Tournament), Petr Kopylov (2021 57 KG U23 Russian Nationals), Akhmed Idrisov (2022 57 KG Yarygin semifinal), Khasanhussein Badrudinov (2021 57 KG Russian Nationals)

Dark Horses

#8 Ramazan Abdurakhimov (RUS)- 2022 57 KG International Khasavyurt Tournament runner-up, 2022 57 KG Russian Nationals 5th place finisher, 2021 57 KG U23 Russian Nationals champion, 2022 57 KG All-Russian Spartakiad 5th Key Wins: Ramiz Gamzatov (2022 57 KG International Khasavyurt Tournament), Petr Kopylov (2021 57 KG U23 Russian Nationals finals), Alexei Kopylov (2021 57 KG U23 Russian Nationals), Magomed Abdurakhmanov (2022 57 KG Russian Nationals qualification round), Donduk-Ool Khuresh-Ool (2022 57 KG Russian Nationals RD16), Muslim Sadulaev (2022 57 KG Russian Nationals 2nd RD repechage) Key Losses: Ayaal Belolyubsky (2021 57 KG Russian Nationals), Petr Kopylov (2021 57 KG Umakhanov Tournament), Musa Mekhtikhanov (2022 57 Kg Umakhanov Tournament finals), Ramiz Gamzatov (2022 57 KG Russian Nationals bronze medal match, 2022 57 KG All-Russian Spartakiad semifinals, 2023 57 KG Yarygin bronze medal match), Magomed Abdurakhmanov (2022 57 Kg Yarygin qualification match), Nachyn Mongush (2022 57 KG Russian Nationals quarterfinals), Zavur Uguev (2023 57 KG Yarygin), Rakhat Kalzhan (2021 57 KG U23 World’s).

The Breakdown

On the top bracket, 2022 61 KG Russian Nationals runner-up #2 Akhmed Idrisov is the man to beat and has a clear path to the quarterfinals where he’ll face his first real test of the tournament. One of my must see matches is the qualification round match between 2022 57 KG Russian Nationals 5th place finisher Amir Chamzyn and 2023 Junior Russian Nationals champion Artem Gobaev. Chamzyn has a career best win from the 2022 Russian Nationals championships against 2020 Russian Nationals runner-up #4 Azamat Tuskaev while Gobaev pushed eventual bronze medalist #3 Ramiz Gamzatov to the edge in a 3-2 match in the qualification round of the 2022 Russian National Championships. In this close matchup, I am going to take Chamzyn to overtake Gobaev and follow it up with a victory over U23 Russian Nationals champion Yunus Yavbatirov. In the quarterfinals, I have Akhmed Idrisov winning a tight match against Amir Chamzyn. 

On the bottom half of the top bracket, the marquee matchup takes place between 2020 Russian Nationals runner-up #4 Azamat Tuskaev and 2022 Russian Nationals runner-up #6 Nachyn Mongush in the qualification round. While Tuskaev does own two wins over Mongush from the 2022 season at the first and second Ivan Poddubny tournament, Mongush holds the edge at Russian Nationals with a victory over Tuskaev in the quarterfinals of the 2021 Russian National Championships. While Tuskaev has an excellent track record, he does have a known history of underperforming at nationals and Mongush always outperforms his early season showings at nationals, as shown by his back to back Russian Nationals runner-up finishes. I have Mongush winning a razor thin match to set up an intriguing round of 16 matchup against Alexei Kopylov with upset potential on it. With Mongush making the quarterfinal matchup against #9 Muslim Sadulaev, I predict him making the semifinals against #2 Akhmed Idrisov and losing a tight match. From the top half, I predict #2 Akhmed Idrisov to make the finals and #6 Nachyn Mongush to take bronze over Amir Chamzyn.

The bottom bracket is anchored with an intriguing quarterfinal between 2019 Russian Nationals champion #3 Ramiz Gamzatov and 2021 57 KG U23 Russian Nationals champion #8 Ramazan Abdurakhimov. Gamzatov owns the series lead at three matches to one with victories in the 2022 Russian Nationals bronze medal match (in a wild 15-13 score), 2022 All-Russian Spartakiad semifinals, and the bronze medal match of this year’s Yarygin. The one match that Abdurakhimov did take over Gamzatov was an especially impressive performance as the former U23 Russian National champion tech falled Gamzatov 18-8 at the 2022 57 KG Umakhanov Tournament. Given Gamzatov’s track record against Abdurakhimov, I go with Gamzatov to win their quarterfinal matchup and make the semis. The second quarterfinal of the bottom bracket between #1 Zavur Uguev and #7 Musa Mekhtikhanov is one I see going the way of Uguev to set up a semifinals match against #3 Ramiz Gamzatov that goes the way of Uguev. 

2023 57 KG Russian Nationals Predictions

GOLD: #1 Zavur Uguev over #2 Akhmed Idrisov

BRONZE: #6 Nachyn Mongush over Amir Chamzyn

BRONZE: #3 Ramiz Gamzatov over #7 Musa Mekhtikhanov