Oleg Karavaev Preview

Wednesday, July 24, 2019 - 18:04 By Eric Olanowski

MINSK, Belarus (July 24) --- The regular season comes to an end this weekend in Minsk, Belarus, as 175 wrestlers from 19 nations will take part in the final Greco-Roman Ranking Series event of the year, the Oleg Karavaev. The tournament’s entry list is littered with world-level talent, including 24 wrestlers who are ranked inside the top-20 of the latest Greco-Roman rankings, but it’s Emrah KUS (TUR), the No. 1-ranked wrestler in the world at 82kg, who headlines the nearly 200-man field.

The world runner-up’s weight is set to feature six ranked wrestlers -- which is the most top-20 guys entered in one bracket. Kus' most significant competition in Belarus will be Viktar SASUNOUSKI (BLR) and Rajbek BISULTANOV (DEN).

Fourth-ranked Sasunouski won a bronze medal at last year’s World Championships, while sixth-ranked Bisultanov is the reigning 82kg European champion.

Bisultanov will be looking to take down top-ranked Kus and Sasunouski for the second time this season. The Danish wrestler defeated Sasunouski, 8-1 in the European quarterfinals, then followed that up with a 5-5 criteria victory over Kus in the semifinals en route to his first continental title three months ago in Bucharest.

Kus and Sasunouski have been in several brackets together over the past year but have somehow managed to miss wrestling each other. Most recently, they were in the same bracket at the European Championships, where Kus finished in third place and Sasunouski fell to a disappointing seventh-place finish.

Other Ranked Wrestlers at 82kg
No. 7 Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV(UZB)
No. 8 Maxat YEREZHEPOV(KAZ)
No. 16Singh HARPREET (IND)

Four Ranked Wrestlers at 67kg and 130kg
A pair of other stacked weight classes to keep an eye on are 67kg and 130kg. Both weights house a quartet of the world's top-20 competitors.

At 67kg, second-ranked RYU Hansu (KOR) leads a pack of four ranked wrestlers into Minsk. The 2017 world champion is the clear favorite to win the weight -- having already won titles this season at the Asian Championships and the Hungarian Grand Prix, while also finishing in third place at the Sassari City Tournament.

Japan will be sending a pair of top-ten wrestlers who’ll try to halt Ryu’s quest of winning a second 2019 Ranking Series title. The Japanese duo who sits inside the top-ten that are making the trip to Belarus are Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADA (JPN) and Shogo TAKAHASHI (JPN). They’re ranked ninth and tenth, respectively. Though Shimoyamada is ranked higher, Takahashi, who was this year’s Asian bronze medalist, has already been named Japan’s Nur-Sultan world team representative.

The fourth-ranked wrestler competing at 67kg will be Mohamed ELSAYED (EGY). Elsayed, the reigning U23 world champion, is ranked 17th in the world coming into the Oleg Karavaev.

The third weight with at least four ranked wrestlers entered is 130kg.

The front-runner at 130kg is Korea’s KIM Minseok. He’s currently ranked fourth in the world but is on the verge of locking up the third seed. Kim, the returning world bronze medalists, is only five points away from passing Heiki NABI (EST) for that third slot, and will gain the advantage after collecting the six entry points if he participates this weekend.

But, to do so, he’ll have to battle three heavy hitters in Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB), Yasmani ACOSTA FERNANDEZ (CHI), and MENG Lingzhe (CHN), who are ranked fifth, sixth, and ninth, respectively.

Kim Looking for Third Ranking Series Title
KIM Seunghak (KOR), the third ranked wrestler in the world at 60kg, comes into the Oleg Karavaev with hopes of luring in his third consecutive Ranking Series title.

Kim started his season with a fifth-place finish at the Grand Prix of Zagreb, but has since won back-to-back Ranking Series golds after title-winning performances at the Hungarian Grand Prix and the City of Sassari tournament in Sardinia.

Kim is stationed 14 points behind Victor CIOBANU (MDA), last year’s world runner-up, but could pass the Moldovan wrestler if he reaches the top of the podium for a third consecutive time. A gold medal this weekend would give Kim 16 Ranking Series points -- which would give him the two-point advantage over Ciobanu heading into Nur-Sultan.

Kim’s top competition will be Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) and Ilkhom BAKHROMOV (UZB).

The Japanese star has two world titles to his name. His most recent world title coming at the U23 age level last season, while his senior-level world title came back at the 2017 Paris World Championships.

Bakhromov is ranked 15th in the world, but that's down at 55kg.

Top-Two Matchup Brewing at 63kg
A showdown between two of the best 63kg wrestlers in the world could be on the horizon as No. 2 Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB) and No. 3 Erbatu TUO (CHN) are both entered into the Oleg Karavaev.

Tasmuradov and Tuo met in Xi’an, China, earlier this year in the gold-medal bout of the Asian Championships with Tuo earning the continental title after Tasmuradov was forced to withdraw from the competition after suffering an apparent hip injury. During the time of the injury, Tasmuradov was leading 3-2 but surrendered two points from a caution-and-two and fell behind, 4-3 -- which is when he conceded the match.

The Oleg Karavaev marks the first time that Tasmuradov has competed since facing that hip injury. He comes into Minsk with a six-point advantage over Tuo, and could lock up the second seed by collecting 10 Ranking Series points.

Kuliyeu Eyeing the Fourth Seed at 87kg
Radzik KULIYEU (BLR) comes into Minsk as the sixth ranked wrestler in the world at 87kg but is in perfect position to grab the fourth seed with a podium finish this weekend.

The reason being, Hungary’s Erik SZILVASSY and Viktor LORINCZ are ranked third and fourth, respectively, but will have to forfeit one of the top-four spots because each nation can only enter one wrestler per nation into the World Championships. Hungary’s forfeiture of one of their top-four seeds will slide Islam ABBASOV (AZE) into the fourth seed, but since he’s not competing this weekend, Kuliyeu just needs nine points to overthrow the Azeri for the fourth spot.

Kuliyeu will be joined by two other top-ten wrestlers at 87kg. They are ninth-ranked Mikalai STADUB (BLR) and tenth-ranked Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB).

The first set of brackets will be released on Thursday at 17:00 and wrestling will begin on Friday at 10:30 (local time).

#WrestleUlaanbaatar

Olympic Champ Ramazanov Shows No Signs of Rust on Return

Saturday, June 6, 2026 - 17:48 By Vinay Siwach

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (June 6) -- Magomed RAMAZANOV (BUL) had been sidelined from wrestling action for more than a year. He did not wrestle after winning the European Championships in April 2025.

The absence, however, was forced as Ramazanov was nursing an injury and also got operated. He missed the World Championships last year and the European Championships this year.

On Saturday, the Paris Olympic champion marked his return to action at the Ulaanbaatar Open at 86kg and won a silver medal. Not that he lost the final, but Ramazanov injury defaulted the final against Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI).

Magomed RAMAZANOV (BUL) tries to bodylock Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) in the opening round bout at 86kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

The 86kg weight class has seen quite a few changes since Paris 2024 but with the return of Ramazanov, without any signs of rust, it will be a tough-to-predict weight come the World Championships in October.

Before he forfeited his final, Ramazanov controlled all his bouts. He began with an 8-2 win over Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) which included a four-point throw. He then won 5-0 against Abdulmuslim ABULMUSLIMOV (RUS) in the quarterfinals, displaying his well-known upper body offence. The semifinal was a much easier affair as he blanked Batbilguun NAADAMBAT (MGL), 10-0.

Ramazanov's offence worked smoothly including his duckunders which he used multiple times on Saturday. He even kept his opponents quiet when he wanted to defend the lead.

A final against Nokhodi would have presented more insights into his form but Ramazanov, perhaps satisfied with his run, decided to skip the final.

Nokhodi is the latest entrant in the growing list of new stars at 86kg. He made a late move from 79kg to 86kg at Ulaanbaatar Open but had no trouble reaching the final. He began with two wins via technical superiority and one 10-5 win over Malik SHAVAEV (KGZ) in the semifinals.

Sagar JAGLAN (IND) won gold medal at 74kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

In other Freestyle action, Sagar JAGLAN (IND), a former U17 world champion and U20 world silver medalist, also found home in a weight class.

Jaglan moved around weight classes in 2025, competing at 79kg and 86kg. In 2023, he won multiple medals at 79kg before a shoulder injury ruled him out for more than a year. In the only tournament he competed internationally in 2025, Jaglan finished fifth at the U23 Asian Championships at 86kg.

In his first tournament in over a year, Jaglan began returned to 74kg and excelled at the Ulaanbaatar Open, winning gold. While JAIDEEP (IND) has been at 74kg for India for sometime, Jaglan knocked him off in the quarterfinals and later won semifinals via technical superiority.

Up against Tamir ESHINIMAEV (RUS) in the gold-medal bout, Jaglan was called passive in the first period as Eshinimaev went up 1-0. Jaglan took the lead when he pushed the Russian out of bounds for two points. Russia challenge the decision but lost it to add one more point to Jaglan's score.

Eshinimaev did well to get to Jaglan's legs late in the final and he elevated the Indian's one leg. A two-point takedown would have given Eshinimaev the criteria lead but Jaglan hopped around defending any attempts of takedown. Eshinimaev managed to score a stepout with only seven seconds left on the clock.

Jaglan defended his 3-2 lead with ease to win his first-ever Ranking Series gold medal.

Askhab SAADULAEV (RUS) defeated Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ), 6-3, in the 92kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

At 92kg, defending champion Askhab SAADULAEV (RUS) managed to defend his gold medal against Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ), thanks to the clock which saved him from being pinned.

Saadulaev had a comfortable 5-1 lead with 20 seconds left when Dauletbekov managed a cradle for two points and then held Saadulaev on the mat. The referees called the fall but it was only after the clock had expired. Kazakhstan challenged asking for two more points but Saadulaev was exposed only once and did not come in neutral before Dauletbekov went for the fall.

The lost challenge of Kazakhstan added one more point to Saadulaev's score as he won 6-3.

Hyo Gyong CHOE (PRK) celebrates after pinning Natsumi MASUDA (JPN) in the 55kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

DPR Korea Wins 3 Golds

The first of the three gold medals was won by Hyo Gyong CHOE (PRK) who pinned Natsumi MASUDA (JPN) in the 55kg final. Choe, a Paris 2024 bronze medalist, began with a sweep single for two points and then turned Masuda for two more and lead 4-0. Choe scored another takedown for two more points and then pancaked Masuda for a fall.

World silver medalist Ok Ju KIM (PRK) then dominated Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL), 10-0, to capture the gold medal at 62kg. Kim used her strong slideby to score the takedown and after some effort, she managed to turn Dudova for a 4-0 lead. Before the break, Kim also managed to score a step while defending anything that Dudova threw at her.

Dudova pressured Kim in the second period and she pushed her to the zone. But Kim flung Dudova for a four-pointer to extend her lead to 9-0. Bulgaria challenged the call but on review, it was clear that Dudova did not score any points. The lost challenge gave the winning point to Kim.

Hyon Gyong Mun (PRK) scores the final two points on Shuai ZHANG (CHN). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

A hat-trick of gold was completed by Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK) who claimed the 65kg title with a 14-2 technical superiority win over Shuai ZHANG (CHN).

Mun began with a four-pointer using an over-under grip but Zhang caught Mun's arm and scored two points as well. However, Mun reversed the position but she got the point only after a challenge to lead 5-2. A stepout further extended her lead to 6-2 with a stepout before the break.

Mun's strength was little too much for Zhang as she opened the second period also with a takedown and then a huge throw for four points. Zhang tried to roll out of the grip but ended up giving two more points as Mun confirmed her win.

Host Mongolia claimed a gold medal through former world silver medalist Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) who won the 68kg final 8-2 against Elizaveta PETLIAKOVA (RUS). After the first takedown, Enkhsaikhan hit a double-leg blast for four points to lead 6-0 but gave up two points when setting up the next takedown.

The second period went scoreless for 2:50 but Enkhsaikhan hit another double-leg for two points to confirm her win in the final.

KAJAL (IND) added another gold for India, which won two golds on Friday, by claiming the 76kg gold over Damola OJO (NGR). Kajal opened the final with a takedown to lead 2-0 and then a stepout to make it 3-0. Ojo was called passive in the second period which gave one more point to Kajal who scored two different takedowns to win 8-0.

RESULTS

Women's Wrestling

55kg
GOLD: Hyogyong CHOE (PRK) df. Natsumi MASUDA (JPN), via fall (6-0)

BRONZE: Hansika LAMBA (IND) df. Ariunzaya ODONCHIMEG (MGL), 11-0
BRONZE: Tuba DEMIR (TUR) df. Laura ALMAGANBETOVA (KAZ), 8-4

62kg
GOLD: Ok Ju KIM (PRK) df. Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL), 10-0

BRONZE: Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR) df. Huan YANG (CHN), 10-0
BRONZE: MANSI (IND) df. NITIKA (IND), 10-0

65kg
GOLD: Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK) df. Shuai ZHANG (CHN), 14-2

BRONZE: Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL) df. PULKIT (IND), 6-3

68kg
GOLD: Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) df. Elizaveta PETLIAKOVA (RUS), 6-2

BRONZE: Nesrin BAS (TUR) df. Gantsetseg BATSUKH (MGL), via fall (4-4)
BRONZE: Kateryna ZELENYKH (ROU) df. Sol Gum PAK (PRK), via fall (6-0)

76kg
GOLD: KAJAL (IND) df. Damola OJO (NGR), 8-0

BRONZE: PRIYA (IND) df. Tuvshinjargal TARAV (MGL), 8-0
BRONZE: Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) df. Gulmaral YERKEBAYEVA (KAZ), 7-3

Freestyle

74kg
GOLD: Sagar JAGLAN (IND) df. Tamir ESHINIMAEV (RUS), 3-2

BRONZE: JAIDEEP (IND) df. Tolui MUNKHBAT (MGL), 15-4
BRONZE: Tumen BODIEV (RUS) df. Sangho HAN (KOR), 3-1

86kg
GOLD: Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) df. Magomed RAMAZANOV (BUL), via inj. def.

BRONZE: Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) df. Batbilguun NAADAMBAT (MGL), 10-0
BRONZE: Byambadorj BAT ERDENE (MGL) vs. Malik SHAVAEV (KGZ)

92kg
GOLD: Askhab SAADULAEV (RUS) df. Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ), 6-3

BRONZE: Bat Erdene BYAMBASUREN (MGL) df. Ganbat TSERENPUNTSAG (MGL), 4-1
BRONZE: Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) df. Punit KUMAR (IND), via fall (4-0)

Oleg Karavaev Preview

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Olympic Champ Ramazanov Shows No Signs of Rust on Return