March 2020 International Men's Freestyle Rankings

P4P

#1 Abdulrashid Sadulaev (RUS) won his seventh career European Games/Championships title with a 6-0 win over 2016 Olympic bronze medalist #10(97) Albert Saritov (ROU) at 97 KG. #3 J’den Cox (USA), the reigning two time world champion at 92 KG, saw his first action at 97 KG since the 2015 U.S. Open at the Cerra Pellado where he defeated 2019 97 KG junior world runner-up Yonger Pauli Bastida Pomares (CUB) in the finals. Along with his win over Bastida Pomares, Cox beat 2019 Ali Aliev runner-up #11(97) Reineris Salas Perez (CUB). Cox slots in at #2 behind reigning five time World/Olympic champion Abdulrashid Sadulaev (RUS).

#5 Geno Petriashvili (GEO) won a rematch of the 2016 European championships by tech fall over #12(125) Robert Baran (POL) to pick up his fourth career 125 KG European championships title. #11 Frank Chamizo (ITA) registered a 5-3 win over #13 Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov (RUS) in the 74 KG European championships finals. Chamizo’s win over Gazimagomedov gave him his fourth European championships title, 2016 at 65 KG, 2017 at 70 KG, and 2019 at 74 KG. #16 Israil Kasumov (RUS), top ranked at 70 KG in February after his impressive showing at the Yarygin that saw him defeat than top ranked returning world champion David Baev (RUS) and second ranked Alans champ Cherman Valiev (RUS) to take the 70 KG title fell nine spots in the pound for pound after a close loss to eventual bronze medalist #6 (70) Heydar Yavuz (TUR). 

Falling out of the pound for pound also due to a disappointing showing at the European championships was Hungary’s 65 KG world bronze medalist #20 Ismail Musukaev (HUN). Musukaev’s whose legendary gas tank and medal run in Nursultan that saw him beat world and olympic champs Vladimir Khinchegashvili (GEO) and Takuto Otoguro (JPN) took fifth at the European championships being teched by eventual runner-up #10 Nyrugun Skryabin (BLR) and losing the bronze medal match to #18 Ali Rahimzade (AZE).

A 2017 world championships representative for Russia at 70 kilograms, Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (BLR) has consistently shown himself to be a top tier competitor at 74 KG for the last two years notching wins over the likes of #8 (74) Khetik Tsabolov, #9 (74) Timur Bizhoev, and #16 (74) Nikita Suchkov (RUS). Couple this with impressive wins in his  2017 70 KG run over the likes of #1(74) Zaurbek Sidakov (RUS), #1(70) Magomedmurad Gadzhiev (POL), along #5 (74) Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov (RUS) and you have someone with a serious resume that warrants a top spot. And Kadiamagomedov earned that top spot at 79 KG, completely dominating top ranked Magomed Ramazanov (RUS) 10-3 to take both the European championships title and the number one spot at 79 KG. 

125

#8 Khasanboy Rakhimov (UZB) was removed from the rankings due to positive drug tests at the world championships where he took bronze. Rakhimov’s medal has been stripped and he has been removed from the rankings. 

#1 Geno Petriashvili (GEO) won his fourth career European championships title with a 11-0 tech fall win over #12 Robert Baran (POL) in what was a rematch of the 2016 finals. Petriashvili also notched dominant wins over Yarygin champ #8 Baldan Tsyzhipov (RUS) and world bronze medalist #9 Oleksandr Khotsianivski (UKR). In what was the biggest win of his career, #12 Baldan Tsyzhipov (RUS) defeated returning world bronze medalist #7 Oleksandr Khotsianivski (UKR) 4-1 to take bronze. For his win over Khotsianivski, Tsyzhipov climbs up four spots in the rankings to #8 while Khotsianivski drops two spots to #9.

To make his second European championships finals, unranked Robert Baran (POL) upset two past World medalists in the form of 2015 world runner-up #11 Jamaladdin Magomedov (AZE), who he teched 11-1, and 2017 world bronze medalist Levan Berianidze (ARM) who he dominated 9-0 in the semis. Between the past world medalists, it would Magomedov who prevailed with a 4-2 win to take bronze over Berianidze. Baran’s performance allowed for him to debut in the rankings at #12. 

By far the biggest upset that occured in the month of February occurred during U-23 world bronze medalist Yusup Batirmurzaev’s Asian championships title run. Batirmurzaev who had teched his way into the semis pinned 2018 world bronze medalist #3 Parviz Hadi (IRI) in 30 seconds off a throw. Following up his stunning semis win, Batirmurzaev would continue his dominance with a 10-0 tech fall over Khuderbulga Dorkhand (MGL) in the finals. Taking bronze was #7 Parviz Hadi (IRI) and Koungjin Nam (KOR).

The results of the Asian championships saw Batirmurzaev debut in the rankings at #6. The reason why he cannot be higher even though he absolutely decked the third ranked wrestler in Parviz Hadi (IRI) is because he has two past lopsided defeats to #5 Amir Zare (IRI) at the U-23 world championships (17-7 tech) and at the Matteo Pellicone (pin). Hadi drops four spots in the rankings to #7 due to his loss to Batirmurzaev. 

97 KG

#1 Abdulrashid Sadulaev (RUS) went through a murderer’s row to win his seventh career European Games/Championships title, defeating the likes of #5 Nurmagomed Gadzhiev (AZE), #7 Elizbar Odikadze (GEO), #9 Albert Saritov (ROU), #20 Magomedgadzhi Nurov (MKD), and Ibragim Bolukbasi (TUR). All throughout his run, Sadulaev had scares by his own excellent standards, giving up four points to Gadzhiev, two to Nurov, and almost being pinned in a cradle by Bolukbasi but the Russian tank powered his way through to the win. On the loaded backside bracket, Nurov pinned Bolukbasi, Gadzhiev beat Nurov 7-4 and then Odikadze defeated Gadzhiev 3-2 for bronze. Coming out with the bronze medal in Saritov’s repechage bracket was 2018 world bronze medalist Abraham De Jesus Conyedo Ruano (ITA) who defeated Gennadij Cudinovic (GER) 4-0. 

From all the action on the backside of Sadulaev’s bracket, #7 Elizbar Odikadze (GEO) moves up two spots to #5 for his win over #5 Nurmagomed Gadzhiev (AZE) who falls two spots in the rankings due to his loss to Odikadze. Saritov stays steady at #9 after his runner-up finish to Sadulaev. 

Winning the Asian championships was 2x U-23 world champ #13 Mojitaba Goleij (IRI) who teched Satywart Kadian (IND) 10-0 in the finals. Taking bronze at the Asian championships was Alisher Yergali (KAZ) and Rustam Iskandarli (TJK).

J’den Cox (USA),  the reigning two time world champion at 92 KG, saw his first action at 97 KG since the 2015 U.S. Open at the Cerra Pellado where he defeated 2019 97 KG junior world runner-up Yonger Pauli Bastida Pomares (CUB) in the finals. Along with his win over Bastida Pomares, Cox beat 2019 Ali Aliev runner-up #11 Reineris Salas Perez (CUB). Cox slots in at #2 behind reigning five time World/Olympic champion Abdulrashid Sadulaev (RUS).

92 KG

#1 J’den Cox (USA) moved up to 92 KG where he is currently ranked second behind reigning 5x World/Olympic champ Abdulrashid Sadulaev (RUS). Taking the #1 spot is reigning world runner-up Alireza Karimimachiani (IRI). 

#18 Suleyman Karadeniz (TUR) put together an absolutely spectacular run to win the European championships title. Karadeniz teched 2017 97 KG world bronze medalist #5 Aslanbek Alborov (AZE) in the quarterfinals 11-1 then pinned returning world bronze medalist #11 Irakli Mtsituri (GEO) in the semis. In the finals, Karadeniz would win a controlled match against Switzerland’s Samuel Scherrer. For his performance, Karadeniz skyrockets up the rankings all the way to #3. For bronze, #5 Aslanbek Alborov defeated #11 Irakli Mtsituri (GEO) in a slow 2-0 match. Taking bronze on Scherrer’s repechage bracket was Amarhadzi Magomedov (BLR) who defeated Marzpet Galstyan (ARM) 7-1.

One of the big upsets at the weight was 86 KG Alans runner-up #17(86) Georgi Rubaev (MDA) upsetting Yarygin champ #3 Batyrbek Tsakulov (RUS) 6-4 in the qualification round before losing to eventual fifth place finisher #11 Irakli Mtisturi (GEO) in the quarterfinals. From this result, Rubaev moves up to #8 in the rankings off the strength of his Tsakulov win here and his past win at the Alans at 86 KG over European championships bronze medalist #19 (86) Rasul  Tikhaev (BLR) who beat #9 Radik Nartikoev (RUS). Yarygin runner-up and 2019 world bronze medalist #4 Alikhan Zhabrailov (RUS) moves up two spots to #2 off the strengths of wins over Karadeniz and Rubaev and past wins over #5 Magomed Kurbanov, #4 Batyrbek Tsakulov, and #10 Anzor Urishev.

#6 Javad Ebrahimi (IRI) won his second Asian championships title over Takuma Otsu (JPN) with an 11-0 tech. Taking bronze at the Asian championships was Iliskhan Chillayev (KAZ) and Tsogtgerel Munkhbaatar (MGL).

86 KG

#6 Zahid Valencia (USA), the Matteo Pellicone and U.S. Open champion has been removed from the rankings due to a positive drug test. 

#2 Artur Naifonov (RUS) won his second European championships title with a 4-0 win over #9 Myles Amine (SMR) in what was a rematch of their 2019 world bronze medal match. The European championships saw a significant amount of shakeup, with 2x World/Olympic medalist Dato Marsagishvili (GEO), ranked sixth at 92 KG, making his return to 86 KG and defeating 2018 world runner-up #9 Fatih Erdin (TUR) 4-4 in the round of 16. Meeting Marsagishvili in the quarterfinals was 2017 world runner-up Boris Makoev (SVK) who was fresh off a win over 2018 European bronze medalist Mihail Nagy (HUN) Makoev would keep his hot streak going and defeat Marsagishvili 2-2 on criteria and move onto the semis where he would fall 3-0 to #2 Artur Naifonov (RUS) and then come back to win bronze 7-6 over Yasar Dogu runner-up #15 Akhmed Magamaev (BUL), who had beaten #11 (79)  Abubakar Abakarov (AZE) in repechage. 

On Myles Amine’s side of the bracket his biggest win came over 2019 Medved runner-up #19 Rasul Tikhaev (BLR) who beat 2018 world bronze medalist Taimuraz Friev Naskideava (ESP) in the round of 16. Taking bronze was Boris Makoev (SVK) and #19 Rasul Tikhaev (BLR).

Boris Makoev (SVK) returns to the rankings at #6 for his wins over #15 Akhmed Magamaev (BUL) and #7 Dato Marsagishvili (GEO) who beat #9 Fatih Erdin (TUR) who beat #10 Myles Amine (SMR) at the Matteo Pellicone. 

Shutaro Yamada (JPN) made a big impact at the Asian championships with his gold medal winning performance, defeating reigning world runner-up Deepak Punia (IND) in the semis and then won a barn burner of a match 10-10 against a red hot Ahmad Bazrigaleh (IRI). Bazrigaleh made his impact felt on the bracket as he defeated 2017 junior world runner-up Isa Shapiev (UZB) and Intercontinental Cup champ #7 Azamat Dauletbekov (KAZ). Taking bronze was Deepak Punia (IND) and Isa Shapiev (UZB). Dauletbekov takes a huge tumble in the rankings falling to #18. This is because that while he has wins over #8 Arsenali Musalaliev (RUS) at the Intercontinental Cup last October and a win over a than down #13 Selim Yasar (TUR) at the Dan Kolov in 2019, his overall career has been rather up and down and fluctuating and his lack of consistency means he is prone to falling hard in the rankings compared to more consistent guys. Entering the rankings is Shutaro Yamada (JPN) at #14 and Akhmed Bazrigaleh (IRI) at #16. 

79 KG

A new #1 was crowned as #16 (74) Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (BLR) absolutely decimated top ranked Magomed Ramazanov (RUS) 10-3 to win the European championships title. Kadimagomedov has exceptional wins over the likes of 1(74) Zaurbek Sidakov (RUS), #1(70) Magomedmurad Gadzhiev (POL), #5 (74) Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov (RUS), #8 (74) Khetik Tsabolov, #9 (74) Timur Bizhoev, and #16 (74) Nikita Suchkov (RUS) which is a testament to the insane depth 74 KG fields. To Ramazanov’s credit to make the finals, he notched a semifinal win to go along with his win in november at the Alrosa Cup over reigning 2x world runner-up #4 Jabrayil Hasanov (AZE) who made his return to the weight after competing at 86 KG for the DRL and Yasar Dogu where he was ranked #15. Taking bronze at the European championships where #4 Jabrayil Hasanov (AZE) and Vasyl Mikhailov (UKR). #11 Abubakar Abakarov (AZE) moved up to 86 KG where he lost to #2 Artur Naifonov (AZE) and #15 Akhmed Magamaev (BUL) at the European championships and failed to place. 

One of Russia’s hidden talents, Arsalan Budazhapov (KGZ) was finally able to get his chance to shine competing for Kyrgyzstan at the Asian championships. With past wins over the likes of #5(74) Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov (RUS), #8(74) Khetik Tsabolov (RUS), and #11(86) Ali Shabanov (BLR), Budazhapov showed his veteran’s grit winning the Asian championships title in a shootout of a match 7-5 against U-23 world 5th place finisher Baliyan Gourav (IND). On his way to the finals, Budazhapov beat returning world 5th place finisher Galymzhan Usserbaev (KAZ). For his Asian championships title along with his past body of work, Budazhapov debuts in the 79 KG rankings at #17. 

74 KG

#4 Frank Chamizo (ITA) earned his fourth European championships title with wins over Murad Kuramagomedov (HUN), #12 Khadzhimurad Gadzhiev (AZE), #20 Soner Demirtas (TUR), and #5 Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov (RUS). His win over Gazimagomedov allows for him to take a 2-1 lead in the series with wins at the European championships and 2017 Ali Aliev and Gazimagomedov defeating the 2x world champ at the 2017 Dan Kolov. Demirtas beat Kuramagomedov 5-0 for bronze. Gazimagomedov’s path to the finals saw him post a controlling 9-2 win over 2018 world runner-up #10 Avtandil Kentchadze (GEO). Kentchadze defeated Miroslav Kirov (BUL) for bronze.

The Asian championships saw world bronze medalist Daniyar Kaisanov (KAZ) take the title over a surging Jitender Jitender (IND) who had upset 2016 world bronze medalist Mostafa Hosseinkhani (IRI) earlier in competition. Taking bronze at the weight was Mostafa Hosseinkhani (IRI) and 2018 65 KG runner-up Daichi Takatani (JPN).

70 KG

#6 Magomedmurad Gadzhiev (POL) takes the #1 spot after winning the European championships over returning runner-up #10 Agaguseynov Mustafaev (AZE). Turkey’s 2019 European champion #9 Mustafa Kaya has been removed from the rankings due to inactivity as he has not competed in a year. Gadzhiev’s title run saw him defeat Mustafaev, #6 Heydar Yavuz (TUR), and U-23 world champ #13 Mirza Skhulukhia (GEO). Taking bronze was Heydar Yavuz (TUR) who’s run included wins over #1 Israil Kasumov (RUS) and #13 Mirza Skhulukhia. Mustafaev’s repechage bracket saw 2014 65 KG world bronze medalist Mihail Sava (MDA) take.

Winning the 70 KG Asian championships title was #5 Ilyas Bekbulatov (UZB). A 2015 Russian national champion, Bekbulatov notched his second continental championship title with his first coming in 2017 at the 65 KG European championships. In the finals, Bekbulatov beat Takhti Cup champ Amir Hossein Hosseini (IRI). Taking bronze was Meirzhan Ashirov (KAZ) and Islambek Orozbekov (KGZ).

Israil Kasumov (RUS) dropped one spot in the rankings to #2 because his most recent wins over #3 David Baev (RUS) and #4 Cherman Valiev (RUS) supercede anything #1 Magomedmurad Gadzhiev (POL) and #6 Heydar Yavuz (TUR) have. Understanding that rankings can fluctuate as can guys performances which means you have to take into account that along with their total body of work when ranking. That’s why Kasumov doesn’t drop below Yavuz who he did lose to because in the total landscape of 70 KG and after his Yarygin run in January there aren’t many people with a better claim to his spot than him and Yavuz is coming off losses to Gadzhiev and Bekbulatov and has a resume that has only begun to become strong unless Baev and Valiev who are consistently high performers. 

65 KG

#5 Kurban Shiraev (RUS) won the European championships over #10 Nyurgun Skryabin (BLR) in a battle of past vs. present Yarygin champions as Shiraev won the Yarygin in January and Skryabin won it in 2016 at 61 KG for Russia. Skryabin had an strong run to the finals, tech falling #2 Ismail Musukaev (HUN) 12-1 in the quarterfinals and beating a surging Ali Rahimzade (AZE) 5-1 in the semifinals. Shiraev’s path to the finals saw him defeat Ukrainian national champ and 2019 70 KG junior world champ Erik Arushanian (UKR) 9-2 in the semis.  Taking bronze was Ali Rahimzade (AZE) and Erik Arushanian (AZE).

Ali Rahimzade’s run was especially rewarding to see as Rahimzade had always been a young talent with impressive results beating 2012 Olympic champ Dzhamal Otarsultanov (RUS) at the 2017 world cup, pushing returning world champ Logan Stieber (USA) to the brink, beating eventual 57 world bronze medalist Andrey Yatsenko (UKR) in the 60 KG Junior Euro finals. Even though his production went down in 2018 and most of 2019, he finished it up by winning Azerbaijan nationals over Akhmednabi Gvarzatilov and put the nail in the coffin with bronze medal at the European championships that saw him beat #2 Ismail Musukaev (HUN) and #9 Vladimir Khinchegashvili (GEO). For his efforts he gets to be #18 in the rankings. Now that may seem low, but understand a guy like #17 Yianni Diakomihalis has wins over #3 Bajrang Punia (IND), Rahimzade, #8 Musukaev, and #16 Zain Retherford but he lost to Retherford at Final X and to Joey McKenna at the U.S. Open and Retherford lost to Kazyryk at the Alans and Kazyryk lost to Shiraev at the Alans and Chakaev at the Yarygin. What this is meant to impart is that 65 KG is an absolute meat grinder where near everyone is notching elite wins at a high frequency and any sort of slip up can mean you get stuck in the back. Does that mean you’re not good? No, it just speaks volumes to how deep the weight is. Like Vladimir Khinchegashvili, he was 9th ranked going into Euros but has one good win since last year (Chakaev at the European Games) and has lost to #7 Naachin Kuular (RUS) multiple times, #4 Haji Aliyev (AZE), George Bucur (ROU), and #8 Ismail Musukaev (HUN) so his spot was in a precarious position and now that he’s losing to younger guys like Rahimzade he’s performing in a way that isn’t indicative of the man who went on all time P4P great run from 2015-2016 and is now sliding back to a more veteran lower top twenty role and that is fine and how careers can go. 

#3 Takuto Otoguro (JPN) looked in exceptional form as he absolutely decimated #4 Bajrang Punia (IND) 10-2 to take his first Asian championship title. Otoguro also blew through returning world runner-up #19 Daulet Niyazbekov (KAZ) 10-3 in the quarterfinals. Bajrang, fresh off winning a title at the Matteo Pellicone defeated junior world champ Amirhossein Maghsoudi (IRI) and Alans 5th place finisher Abbos Rakhmonov (UZB). Taking bronze was #19 Daulet Niyazbekov (KAZ) and Amirhossein Maghsoudi (IRI). Both Otoguro and Bajrang moved up one spot to #2 and #3 respectively because of Musukaev’s loss at the European championships. 

61 KG

#1 Alexander Bogomoev (RUS) won his second European Games/Championships title with a 3-2 win over reigning world champ #4 Beka Lomtadze (GEO). The win in the finals gave Bogomoev a 2-2 lead in his series against Lomtadze, with his first win coming in the 2015 European Games finals along and Lomtadze beating him at the 2018 and 2019 Alans. To make the finals, Bogomoev dispatched 2x world medalist Vladimir Dubov (BUL), Giorgi Pillidis (GRE) and returning European champ #16 Arsen Harutunyan (ARM). Lomtadze’s route to the finals saw the returning world champ defeat Yasar Dogu runner-up #12 Intigam Valizada (AZE) and 2019 Yarygin runner-up #11 Nikolai Okhlopkov (ROU). Taking bronze at the European championships was #16 Arsen Harutunyan (ARM) and #11 Nikolai Okhlopkov (ROU).

The European championships saw a lot of movement revolving around #11 Hamza Alaca (TUR), #18 Intigam Valizada (AZE), and #17 Nikolai Okhlopkov (ROU) which involves head to head matches involving all three and the Yasar Dogu. Alaca got to #11 off the strength of his Yasar Dogu title in February that saw him beat #15 Recep Topal (TUR) and #18 Intigam Valizada (AZE), who was then coming off of a win #19 Muenir Recep Aktas (TUR). Why these guys got bumped up as well was #12 Abbos Rakhmonov (UZB) and #13 Nurislam Sanayev (KAZ) both changed weight for the Asian championships, Rakhomonov to 65 and Sanayev to 57 with both taking 5th.  Now fast forward to the European championships, and Valizada beats Alaca 9-5 in the quarters than Okhlopkov pins Valizada for bronze. So from all this, Okhlopkov takes Alaca’s old spot at #11, with Valizada behind him at #12, and Alaca at #13 ahead of 2019 Euros bronze #14 Recep Topal who Alaca beat H2H at the Yasar Dogu..

U-23 world champion #5 Ulukbek Zholdoshbekov (KGZ) picked up his first senior Asian championships title after failing to place last year after a close loss to eventual bronze medalist Yudai Fujita (JPN). On his way to the title, Zholdoshbekov won a tight 5-3 match over returning world bronze medalist Rahul Aware (IND). In the finals, Zholdoshbekov pinned Muhammad Ikromov (TJK). Taking bronze at the Asian championships was #19 Rahul Aware (IND) and Ryoto Sakaki (JPN). 

57 KG

#5 Azamat Tuskaev (RUS) won the European championships in impressive fashion, taking out Yasar Dogu champ #11 Georgi Vangelov (BUL) in the quarters, redhot Horst Lehr (GER) in the semis, and then returning world runner-up #2 Suleyman Atli (TUR) in the finals. Tuskaev for his incredible two month span of results from the Yarygin (#6 Idrisov, #18 Gamzatov, #19 Sabanov) and the European championships climbs up to the #2. Taking bronze was Horst Lehr (GER) who had a spectacular run that saw him defeat 2019 IUT champ Taras Markovich (UKR), U-23 world bronze medalist and Azerbaijan national champ #12 Afghan Khasalov (AZE), and #12 Georgi Vangelov (BUL). Lehr’s performance allows him to take the #11 spot in the rankings. Taking bronze from Atli’s side of the bracket was 2019 European Games runner-up Stevan Micic (SRB).

#5 Ravi Kumar (IND) continued to impress in his dominant run to his first Asian championships title. The returning world bronze medalist dominated 2017 world champion #15 Yuki Takahashi (JPN) in the quarters 14-5 and in the semis he would dispatch of returning world bronze medalist #16 Nurislam Sanayev (KAZ). In the finals, Kumar would tech Hikmatullo Vokhidov (TJK) 10-0. For bronze, Takahashi put on an inspiring performance reminiscent of his fantastic 2017 world title run as he hammered home the returning world bronze medalist Sanayev 14-5.