Taylor wins latest duel against Yazdani; Burroughs claims sixth gold

Friday, September 16, 2022 - 23:05 By Ken Marantz

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 16) -- With military-like precision and power, David TAYLOR (USA) came out on top in the latest edition of the top-gun rivalry that currently has the wrestling world abuzz.

Taylor avenged a loss to Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) at last year's World Championships with a well-earned 7-1 victory in the 86kg final, giving the American his second world title in one of four freestyle finals on Friday in Belgrade.

"This is the first time I've really gone into wrestling Yazdani with super strict intentions," Taylor said. "And I followed that. He's burning that fire for me to continue going. He's that barrier to me and a gold medal in Paris."

Earlier, Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) captured the 79kg title to tie Adeline GRAY (USA) for the most-ever world golds by an American with six, while an unheralded and unorthodox Japanese shed some rain on the American victory parade with a surprisingly one-sided win over Zain RETHERFORD (USA) in the 70kg final.

Taha AKGUL (TUR) captured the final title at stake on the seventh day of competition with a victory at 125kg, giving him a third world title and first since 2015.

David TAYLOR (USA) never let off the pressure against Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) in the 86kg final. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Taylor's victory over Yazdani was his fourth in five career meetings between the two superstars, the last three of which have come in global finals. Last year, Taylor came out on top 4-3 in the final of the Tokyo Olympics, an outcome Yazdani reversed three months later with a 6-2 win for the gold in Oslo.

"Going there and losing, it was hard," said Taylor, who said he at one time considered retiring.

In every previous match, Yazdani took the initial lead, and Friday night's clash was no exception. Yazdani received an activity point, but few could have foreseen that that would be the limit to his scoring.

After Yazdani tip-toed out of a takedown attempt, Taylor came right back at him and gained a single-leg takedown to lead 2-1 going into the second period. A sweeping tackle and a stepout off a single-leg attempt put the American up 5-1.

Yazdani looked like he was going to cut the lead to a manageable margin when he very nearly got behind for a takedown in the final minute, but Taylor reached back and prevented the Iranian from completing the move. Yazdani still had a shot when moved to the side for a crotch lift, but Taylor resisted that for a stalemate.

With Yazdani putting the pressure on to score, it was Taylor who came up with a final takedown to put the victory on ice.

Taylor said that for some time, he lost his desire to continue the sport, and only relit the flame through the support of his family and others around him.

"I tell you why this year has been so hard for me," he said. "I contemplated retiring multiple times. I just didn't know if I wanted to do it anymore. I've been at the top of what I want to do since I was a little kid. Olympic champion. I believe if I didn't go the World Championships, eight weeks later, I'd probably be done."

Taylor and Yazdani are both Olympic champions with the latter winning at the 2016 Rio Olympics, but became rivals when Yazdani made the move from 74kg up to Taylor's domain at 86kg.

In their first two encounters, Taylor won by fall at the 2017 World Cup, then 11-6 in the first round at the 2018 World Championships, which he won for his first senior world crown.

"We're the number one rivalry in the world for a reason," Taylor said. "You know, we're putting it on the line for wrestling. We're dog-tired out there. You know, it's just like, listen, that's what we're here for, you know. I mean, you gotta be a little bit showman, you know I am the Magic Man for a reason. I was able to be on top today and it feels pretty good."

Yazdani, a three-time champion, now has six world medals. Combined with his two from the Olympics, the 28-year-old has the most global medals in Iranian's storied history, with certainly more on the way in the years ahead.

"We'll go down to two greatest wrestlers of all time, we'll be battling to push each other the entire time so thankful for him," Taylor said. "But it feels good to be a champ."

Asked what he would tell Yazdani, Taylor replied, "Losing sucks. You're gonna get better, I'm gonna get better. And next year, we're gonna put it on the line again. I know you'll be there. I'll be there. And let's put another show for the fans. Give them something else to remember. That and the record books. I'll be there. I know you will, too. Let's go battle."

Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) is now a six-time world champion, the best record for a male USA wrestler. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

For Burroughs, his hard-fought 4-2 victory over Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) in the 79kg final -- a repeat of 2021 final which the American won 5-1 -- made him the most decorated wrestler in American history when taking into consideration both world and Olympic golds.

"I feel amazing," Burroughs said. "All I can say is, God is good. My family, my coaches, and my training partners. I just think about all of the people who put so much work into helping me get to this platform. You guys get to see the championships, the hard double-legs, and the commitment here, but you rarely get to see the definition of what makes a champion behind the scenes."

Burroughs now has seven combined golds, breaking a tie with the legendary John SMITH (USA), and 10 medals overall. "I thank John for pushing me indirectly," he said.

While Nokhodi received an activity point for the lone point of the first period, Burroughs was far and away the aggressor in the second, launching a succession of takedown attempts that bore fruit with one stepout and a trademark blast double-leg tackle for a takedown.

"The refs hadn't been giving me favorable calls throughout the week, so I knew I had to do something extra," Burroughs said. "But honestly, I just wanted a takedown. I knew he couldn't get to my legs."

An activity point for Burroughs and a late stepout by Nokhodi completed the scoring.

Burroughs won his first four world golds in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017 at 74kg, the same weight he won his lone Olympic title in London in 2012. He moved up to 79kg in 2021 and won gold No. 5. He also has bronze medals from 2014, 2018 and 2019.

For now, Burroughs said he has no thoughts of retiring, despite the demands of being one of the elites of the sport.

"Before every match, I always remind myself that I chose this," he said. "This is chosen suffering. It's difficult, it's hard, it's scary as heck, but I know that God equipped me with the right tools to be the person to go out there and do this repeatedly. I'm 34 years old, I'm the father of four, been married for almost a decade, and I'm still at the top of my game."

Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN) won the 70kg gold medal with a quick win over Zain RETHERFORD (USA) in the final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Earlier, Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN) had dealt the U.S. a shock when he powered to a 10-0 technical fall over Retherford in the 70kg final.

"I can't put it into words," the 24-year-old Narikuni said of his stunning win. "I really went through a lot. I finally made it to this point."

Narikuni, who first appeared on the world radar when he won the Asian title in April in his first major senior competition, scored a takedown on a counter, then added two points with an exposure in which he put his head between Retherford's legs, lifted up and rotated. He then transitioned to a lace lock.

"I thought I probably wouldn't get that chance again, so I wanted to end it there in one shot," he said. "If the match continued and gone longer, the match might have gone at his pace and I might have lost."

Reeling off three rolls, Narikuni ended the match in 2:10 for gold that he said he will not be defending next year. And not because he will be moving to an Olympic weight class. In fact, he won't even be wrestling freestyle.

"I'm planning to get away from freestyle for a while," Narikuni said. "Without having doubts, I think I can make it in Greco at 67kg. My thinking is to become a world champion in both styles. I won't concede to anyone. This had been my objective before I came here and I definitely think I can achieve it."

All of his life, Narikuni has felt like he was living in the shadow of a two-time world champion. And literally, he was, as it was his mother who won two world golds under her maiden name of Akiko IIJIMA in the 1990s.

She runs Gold Kids, the Tokyo wrestling club where he, Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) and a number of other top Japanese got their start in the sport, and where he is now a coach (he also works part-time at a karaoke parlor). Growing up, he developed a complex about being compared to his mother, and winning the gold in Belgrade puts him halfway to redeeming himself in his own eyes.

But equaling her with two golds is not enough. He will try to outdo her by winning the second title in Greco-Roman. He is no stranger to the style, having finished seventh at the world juniors 2017.

In fact, he might have already been wrestling that style, but the tournament he was going to enter to qualify in Greco for last year's national championships got canceled due to the pandemic.

"She won two titles, and I've only won one," Narikuni said. "I've closed the gap a little. If I win at Greco, no one can deny what I have done. If I don't win at Greco, I will never feel in my heart that I've caught up to her."

Narikuni is also an anomaly in that he spends little time actually wrestling in his training, preferring to mainly hit the weight room. The techniques that he has been learning as a toddler and the power he has built up have served him well.

Taha AKGUL (TUR) won the world title for the third time and first since 2015. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

In the last match of the night, Akgul won a clash of 2021 bronze medalists, scoring a single-leg takedown and a gut wrench in the second period to rally to a 6-2 win over Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL).

"It was very difficult," Akgul said. "The exhaustion from yesterday was very noticeable, but it's important that I won, to finally become world champion again after seven years and to show the world that I can still be the best."

Akgul had a stepout and received an activity point in the first period, but Munkhtur went ahead by opening the second with a takedown. Munkhtur was attempting to become Mongolia's first world gold medalist in freestyle since 1975.

Akgul was coming off a grueling 4-2 win in the semifinal over defending champion Amir ZARE (IRI), which he won with a takedown in the last second. He said that victory was about more than avenging a loss to Zare in last year's semifinals.

"I prepared well, my opponent beat me last year, but Zare made a "KING" gesture when he won," Akgul said. "Geno [Petrashvili] or I never did that. Respect is very important in sports. This move of mine was for him."

Asked about the difference between his two titles, Akgul replied, "Nothing has changed. I have lost twice in the final in the past, that was very annoying. I would have been world champion five times if that had not happened. If I stay healthy and train well, I can beat everyone."

Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) won a bronze medal with by beating Oleg BOLTIN (KAZ). (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Georgia, Kyrgyzstan take 2 bronzes each

Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO), who once dominated the weight class along with Akgul in one of the sport's fiercest rivalries, picked up his seventh world medal when he outclassed Oleg BOLTIN (KAZ) 11-4 to take home one of the bronze medals at 125kg.

Petriashvili, who had a three-peat of world golds from 2017 to 2019, fell behind 4-2 early in the second period, but turned on the jets and reeled off nine unanswered points to give Georgia its second bronze of the night.

Earlier, Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO), a world champion in 2017, picked up his third world bronze and second in a row with a wild 5-5 victory over Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) at 70kg in a repeat of this year's European final.

Iakobishvili's 4-point takedown early in the second period proved the difference after Andreasyan tied the score at 5-5 with a takedown, but a 2-point title awarded by the referee was taken away when a challenge showed Iakobishvili's back never broke the 90-degree plane.

Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) countered Naveen MALIK (IND) attacks to win the bronze at 70kg. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ), the 2021 silver medalist and runner-up to Narikuni at the Asian Championships in April, won the other 70kg bronze and the first of two for Kyrgyzstan when he scored all of his points on counters in a 4-1 over Naveen MALIK (IND).

Malik opened the scoring with a stepoout, but that would be all that Akmataliev would concede as he continued to fend off the Indian's attacks, going ahead with a counter to exposure for a 2-1 lead. In the second period, he countered a double-leg attack and went behind to pad his lead to 4-1.

Zare took home the other 125kg bronze when he bounced back from a disappointing loss to Akgul in the semifinals by scoring four takedowns in an 8-0 loss to Amarveer DHESI (CAN), an important win for Iran in the team race with the rival U.S.

At 79kg, Arsalan BUDAZHAPOV (KGZ) captured his country's second straight bronze of the night when he scored two takedowns in the second period in a 5-1 victory over Ali UMARPASHAEV (BUL).

The other 79kg bronze when to Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR), who gained a decisive stepout off a scramble with :15 left and edged veteran Olympic bronze medalist Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB), with the final score becoming 5-3 following a subsequent unsuccessful challenge.

Taking home the 86kg bronzes were Asian champion Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) and Boris MAKOEV (SVK).

Dauletbekov, limited to two points in the first period, overwhelmed Ethan RAMOS (PUR) in the second rolling to a 10-0 technical fall in 4:25 for his third career world medal. The loss kept Ramos, now an assistant coach at Duke University in the U.S., from becoming just the second world medalist in Puerto Rican history.

The Russian-born Makoev, a silver medalist in 2017 in his first year competing for Slovakia, was behind on criteria when he scored a takedown with a minute to go to defeat Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL) 3-1.

Defending world champion Thomas GILMAN (USA) reached the final at 57kg. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

U.S. puts 3 into finals

In the semifinals in three weight classes held earlier in the night session, it was an American trifecta as defending champions Thomas GILMAN (USA) and Kyle DAKE (USA) and 2021 bronze medalist Jden COX (USA) all advanced to Saturday night's finals. For both Dake and Cox, their final will be a rematch from the 2021 World Championships.

Gilman, a bronze medalist at the Tokyo Olympics, got the juggernaut going at 57kg, when he used his snap-down attack to great effect for a comprehensive 8-2 win over 2018 world U23 bronze medalist Wanhao ZOU (CHN).

Keeping the pressure constantly on the Chinese, scored three takedowns from a snap-down setup, which he combined with an activity clock point and a stepout. Defensively, Gilman, who also has a 2017 world bronze, limited Zou to a pair of stepouts.

In the final, he will face Russian-born Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), who scored a takedown and a counter lift for 2 in defeating American-born and bred Stevan MICIC (SRB) 6-1. Abakarov began competing for Albania this year with limited success, although he did win the Kolov-Petrov tournament in Bulgaria in February at 61kg.

Dake, aiming for his fourth consecutive world title and second straight at 74kg, survived a low-scoring but titanic battle with Asian champion Yones EMAMI (IRI) to eke out a 2-2 win.

Emami controlled the first period, taking a 2-0 lead with an activity point and a stepout from a counter, but it was only Dake's passive defense that prevented the Iranian from scoring more. Twice Dake managed to escape the situation when Emami got in deep on a single.

In the second period, Dake, also an Olympic bronze medalist in Tokyo, drove Emami to the edge and as they went out, then launched a backdrop. The call on the mat was for 4, but the Iranian side challenged. The move was reduced to a stepout, but an additional point was tacked on for fleeing, making it 2-2 with Dake holding the advantage on criteria.

Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) held off Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) 3-0 in the 74kg semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Standing between Dake and another world title will be Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK), the same opponent he defeated 7-3 a year ago for the gold in Oslo.

Salkazanov scored a pair of stepouts to defeat two-time former world champion Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) 3-0 in the other semifinal. That was a repeat of this year's European Championships final, which Salkazanov won 7-5 for his second straight crown.

At 92kg, Cox will get a chance to avenge a semifinal loss at the same stage in Oslo that forced him to settle for a bronze medal when he takes on defending champion Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI).

Day 7 Results

Freestyle

57kg (31 entries)
Semifinal - Thomas GILMAN (USA) df. Wanhao ZOU (CHN), 8-2
Semifinal - Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) df. Stevan MICIC (SRB), 6-1

70kg (28 entries)
Gold - Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN) df. Zain RETHERFORD (USA) by TF, 10-0, 2:20

Bronze - Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO) df. Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM), 5-5
Bronze - Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) df. Naveen MALIK (IND), 4-1

74kg (34 entries)
Semifinal - Kyle DAKE (USA) df. Yones EMAMI (IRI), 2-2
Semifinal - Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) df. Frank CHAMIZO (ITA), 3-0

79kg (32 entries)
Gold - Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) df. Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI), 4-2

Bronze - Arsalan BUDAZHAPOV (KGZ) df. Ali UMARPASHAEV (BUL), 5-1
Bronze - Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) df. Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB), 5-3

86kg (30 entries)
Gold - David TAYLOR (USA) df. Hassan YAZDANI (IRI), 7-1

Bronze - Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) df. Ethan RAMOS (PUR) by TF, 10-0, 4:25
Bronze - Boris MAKOEV (SVK) df. Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL), 3-1

92kg (23 entries)
Semifinal - Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) df. Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), 5-0
Semifinal - Jden COX (USA) df. Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE), 7-0

125kg (24 entries)
Gold - Taha AKGUL (TUR) df. Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL), 6-2

Bronze - Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) df. Oleg BOLTIN (KAZ), 11-4
Bronze - Amir ZARE (IRI) df. Amarveer DHESI (CAN), 8-0

#WrestleBelgrade

Preview: Freestyle rivalries resume but tough test awaits stars in Belgrade

Thursday, September 14, 2023 - 12:18 By Vinay Siwach

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 13) -- Soon after Kyle SNYDER (USA) won his first world title in five years in Belgrade last year, his rival Abdulrashid SADULAEV (AIN) was quick to react.

“You know who was absent there,” Sadulaev wrote on Instagram, pointing at his own absence from the World Championships. “My friend, I’m ready to give you another chance to become a real king in the 97kg weight class. Our viewers deserve the continuance of the story.”

A year later, there will be no absentees as Sadulaev was confirmed to compete at the World Championships in Belgrade. That means that Sadulaev will get a chance to reclaim his world title, currently held by Snyder.

The two will resume their rivalry this week and if the two actually meet on the mat, it will be their fifth bout. Sadulaev holds a 3-1 head-to-head record with his last win coming in the final of the Oslo World Championships in 2021.

Gable STEVESON (USA) is the only Tokyo Olympic champion not wrestling in Belgrade. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The build-up to the World Championship has been dominated by Freestyle line-ups with doubts over Gable STEVESON’s (USA) participation and the final call on the Individual Neutral Athletes. But the mystery was solved on Tuesday. Apart from Sadulaev, Olympic champions Zavur UGUEV (AIN) and Zaurbek SIDAKOV (AIN) were also approved to compete in Belgrade. Shamil MAMEDOV (AIN) and Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (AIN) will also be at the tournament.

That makes Steveson the only Tokyo Olympic champion to not feature in the tournament as Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) and David TAYLOR (USA) were already confirmed. Interestingly, all Olympic champs besides Taylor are unseeded, which means they will be drawn randomly and can may their arch-rivals in the first round itself.

While the inclusion of the AIN certainly brings more star-power to the mega event, the World Championships holds further importance as it will see close to 1000 wrestlers eyeing the 90 Paris Olympic quotas, divided equally among the three styles, on offer at the first qualifying event for the Games next year.

The team title race will also see the impact of the same as the U.S. tries to defend its first-place finish. With the AIN loaded with star power, U.S. will have to avoid any slip-ups. AIN will not be awarded any points in the team rankings at the World Championship but it can certainly derail the plans of other nations.

Given the benefits of wrestling in an Olympic weight class, wrestlers have squeezed themselves into the six Olympic weight classes, 57kg, 65kg, 74kg, 86kg, 97kg and 125kg. Out of the 368 wrestlers entered in Freestyle, 252 wrestlers are in these six weight classes with 86kg receiving the most entries — 52. In the non-Olympic weights, 61kg, 70kg, 79kg and 92kg, 116 wrestlers are entered with 70kg getting the most entries with 34 wrestlers.

Each Olympic weight class offers five Olympic spots and a wrestler can earn the same for the respective National Olympic Committee by winning one of the four medals. The fifth spot will be decided with a playoff between the two losers of the bronze medal bouts.

As far as storylines go, Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) and Taylor are expected to wrestle for the 86kg gold again while Snyder may face Sadulaev early at 97kg as the AIN wrestler is unseeded. Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) returns to international competition after two years but in his absence, a young star has emerged at 65kg -- world champion Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI). Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) drops to 57kg with eyes on second straight world title but faces the likes of 57kg world champion Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) and Olympic champion Uguev. Kyle DAKE (USA) will be looking to avenge his Olympic loss to Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (AIN) but a much-awaited bout against Sidakov will be the highlight at 74kg. A three-way battle will ensue at 125kg as Taha AKGUL (TUR) looks to defend his title against Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) and longtime rival Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO).

Sadulaev’s return gives him a chance to win his sixth world title and be level with Jordan BURROUGHS (USA), the wrestler with the most world tiles among active members. But Snyder will look to deny him. The two met twice in two months in 2021 with Sadulaev winning both the encounters quite comfortably. That is not to say Snyder has not been up to the mark. In the five Olympic and World Championships finals since 2017 in which both Snyder and Sadulaev have participated, only once — 2019 — the two have not faced each other. The other four instances have been a bout for gold with Sadulaev winning three and Snyder one.

And even then, no love is lost between the two. Snyder visited Sadulaev’s native Dagestan and was seen meeting the latter’s family after a helicopter ride. The two have accepted being in touch despite not facing each other.

On the mat, Snyder, since becoming world champion, won the World Cup with the U.S., began this year with gold medals at the Zagreb Open and the Dan Kolov tournaments before winning the Pan-Am gold and the fourth Ranking Series in Budapest. Sadulaev, despite being away from international wrestling, continued his training, glimpses of which he posted on his Instagram. He recently posted that he is in the final phase of the preparation.

Snyder will have Vlagyiszlav BAJCAJEV (HUN) on his side of the bracket with Asian champion Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) as they are seeded fourth and eighth respectively. Tazhudinov, who is coached by Sadulaev’s coach Shamil OMAROV, will be a test for Snyder if he can match the gas tank of the American.

Apart from Sadulaev, Mojtaba GOLEIJ (IRI) will also be drawn at random. He almost defeated Snyder in Oslo before giving up a stepout in the dying seconds. Two veterans of the wrestling world, Magomedgadji NUROV (MKD) and Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB) will also be unseeded in Belgrade.

The other threats to Snyder and Sadulaev include European finalists Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) and Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO). Snyder was troubled by Matcharashvili in the first bout in Budapest with the American scrapping through a 3-2 win before winning the gold over Magomedov who pulled out injured.

Matcharshvili won the European gold over Magomedov this year after a late takedown gave him a 4-3 lead. Magomedov will hope to avenge that loss if the two meet in Belgrade.

If you thought Snyder-Sadulaev was the only high-profile rivalry in wrestling right now, you are wrong. Taylor and Yazdani have followed a similar path in their own rivalry which will resume in Belgrade as the two gear up for their fifth battle. Taylor leads the head-to-head 4-1 with his latest win coming over Yazdani in the final of the 2022 World Championship. In Oslo, Yazdani scored his first win over Taylor, which compensated, though very little, Yazdani’s heartbreaking Tokyo Olympic final loss to the American.

The two are evenly matched on the mat but Taylor holds a slight advantage with his superior gas tank. In all their meetings, Yazdani has been the aggressor, always ending the first period with a lead. But Taylor has somehow found a way to win. Remember his first win over Yazdani as he pinned the Iranian in the World Cup in 2018? The two have more or less managed to keep the same scoring pattern with Taylor scoring nine points in the previous two bouts against Yazdani’s seven.

The major difference in Yazdani’s tactics in Oslo and Belgrade was the use of underhook. Yazdani completely dropped the signature move in the first period of the Belgrade bout and when he tried in the second period, Taylor had soared ahead.

It looks unlikely that any other wrestler will be able to stop the two meet in the final. Bronze medalists from last year Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) and Boris MOKAEV (SVK) can come close but have suffered huge losses against the two. But such been Yazdani and Taylor’s dominance that the two have shared the global titles at 86kg since 2017.

Arslan BAGAEV (AIN) and Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE) are certainly medal contenders in Belgrade but they will have to navigate a field that also includes Olympic bronze medalist Myles AMINE (SMR).

The 2022 European champion lost to Dauren KURGULIEV (GRE) this year 3-1 but avenged his loss in Budapest to remain one of the top wrestlers at 86kg. He will be eyeing a second trip to the Olympics in Paris.

U20 world champion Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA) is yet to make a mark at the senior level but the motivation to qualify for a home Olympics can certainly push the youngster for a medal.

Hayato ISHIGURO (JPN), Osman GOCEN (TUR) and Javrail SHAPIEV (UZB) are also entered for the World Championships.

Tokyo Olympic champion Zaurbek SIDAKOV (AIN) is going for his third world title. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Sidakov, Uguev face tough test
The late entry of Olympic champions Zaurbek SIDAKOV (AIN) and Zavur UGUEV (AIN) has spiced up things at 74kg and 57kg respectively. The two have not competed internationally since winning the gold medal in Tokyo but will be the favorites for gold in their weight classes.

However, the run to gold won’t be a cakewalk.

At 74kg, four-time world and defending champion Kyle DAKE (USA) will be the biggest hurdle for Sidakov. Wrestling fans have longed for a bout between the two of the most complete wrestlers in the world. While Sidakov works like a machine, Dake can switch levels at will. Their domination at this level makes it one of the most anticipated bouts.

However, Dake may be anticipating another bout altogether, that against Olympic silver medalist Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (AIN) who mauled Dake in Tokyo. Being a gold medal contender in Tokyo, Dake was the favorite against Kadzimahamedau but lost 12-1, his only loss in the World Championships or Olympics. Sidakov too will be aware of Kadzimahamedau’s level and what he is capable of.

The fourth wrestler in the fray is Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) who would like to make his third consecutive final, and perhaps win the title this year. His strong defense has been a problem for many but Dake has beaten him in both the finals the two met. Salkazanov can also upset Sidakov or Kadzimahamedau, but to do that, he would have to raise the level.

Though he has not been in a World Championships since 2019, Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) is known to be the guy with a surprise up his sleeve. Salkazanov has denied him for two consecutive years not but it would be foolish to think Chamizo can’t upset anyone. The crafty wrestler has all the skills to win and a pre-Olympic World Championships may push Chamizo to return to his old self.

Another top wrestler is Yones EMAMI (IRI) who belongs to cream at 74kg. He wrestled Dake in the semifinals last year and managed to shut down the American. However, he could not break Dake’s defense, losing 2-2 before winning a bronze medal.

Two veterans, Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) and Bekzod ABDURAKHMANOV (UZB) are also in the mix. Demirtas is still searching for that gold while Abdurakhamanov is going for another run after winning bronze in Tokyo. The Uzbek tried moving to 86kg last year but returned to 79kg for the Asian Championships this year and is now at 74kg.

Young stars Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) and Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) will try to make a name for themselves in this World Championships. Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO), returning bronze medalist Arsalan BUDAZHAPOV (KGZ), local favorite Hetik CABOLOV (SRB) and Iakub SHIKHDZHAMALOV (ROU) will also try to finish on the podium.

Zavur UGUEV (AIN) is returning to international competition for the first time since winning the Tokyo Olympics. (Photo: UWW / Tony Rotundo)

At 57kg, Uguev will first have to battle his weight and step on the mat against a field that is nothing less than first-class. Uguev, who won the gold in Tokyo after beating Ravi KUMAR (IND) in the final, has been an absolute rock at 57kg over the years.

The biggest test for him in Belgrade will be Rei HIGUCHI (JPN), who is returning to 57kg in a bid to win an Olympic gold medal. The 26-year-old won a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and tried moving to 65kg for Tokyo. Once he failed to make it past the domestic level, he returned to 57kg but his battles with weight have been well documented. Higuchi won his first world title last year at 61kg which is a non-Olympic weight class.

Nothing will come easy for both Uguev and Higuchi as returning world champion Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) also looks to book his trip for the Olympics. Abakarov defeated Gilman with ease last year to become Albania’s first wrestling world champion.

Abakarov’s confidence may have taken a hit after he suffered a loss to Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) in the European Championships final but that was at 61kg. Both Abakarov and Harutyunyan have dropped to 57kg now.

Uguev will be on the lookout for Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) as well as he almost lost his first-round bout against Abdullaev in Tokyo if not for a last-second trip from Uguev to score a four-pointer. Abdullaev has struggled with weight but can do enough to be in the medal rounds.

Another wrestler who troubled Uguev in Tokyo was Thomas GILMAN (USA) but he won’t travel to Belgrade as Zane RICHARDS (USA) defeated him in the domestic qualifiers. Richards has a strong chain wrestling and while the U.S. style is familiar to most wrestlers in the world, Richards could be a surprise at 57kg.

European champion Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE) has taken big strides in his career but the World Championships will be his real test. Rzazade won the Zagreb Open to start the year and continued his good form by winning Euros in which he defeated Suleyman ATLI (TUR) 12-2 in the final. Asian champion AMAN (IND) is replacing Kumar and will get his first taste of the big league. He won the U23 World Championships but the Belgrade tournament is not a tournament of U23 level and that is putting it mildly.

Top seed Wanhao ZOU (CHN), Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ), Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL) and Stevan MICIC (SRB) will also be in the mix.

Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) will wrestle outside Japan after more than two years. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Champ vs challengers
While Sadulaev, Sidakov, and Uguev were on a forced break, Takuto OTOGURO (JPN), one of the most watchable wrestlers in the world, ironically, decided to be away from wrestling for a good year and a half since the Tokyo Olympics. He returned in December 2022 for Japan's first qualifier the 2023 World Championships. He won that and the second qualifier, the Meiji Cup, in June this year to confirm his Belgrade ticket. However, the champ looked a little rusty.

Otoguro, a world champion from 2018, will have to wrestle better than he did at the Meiji Cup, as any slip-up at 65kg could prove to be fatal.

Leading the challengers will be world champion Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) whose strong underhook game can trouble Otoguro as the Japanese wrestler isn't the happiest being stuck in positions. The bout between the two can be a spectacle and worthy final, the two can meet early as well as Otoguro is unseeded while Amouzad is the top seed.

The only other Tokyo Olympic medalist at 65kg coming to Belgrade is three-time world champion Haji ALIYEV (AZE) who hopes to finish his career with gold in Paris. But his recent losses at 65kg have cast doubts over his ability to challenge the young field at 65kg. Aliyev lost to Amouzad last year and later lost the bronze-medal bout to Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN).

And to think Muszukajev, a two-time world bronze medalist, will be a pushover is a crime. The style in which he doesn’t engage much with his opponent but attacks like a cat, when given open space, has given him fans around the world. But his struggle with conditioning is still an area of concern, especially in a weight class full of youngsters. Muszukajev also has a win over Otoguro, in the bronze-medal bout at the 2019 Worlds.

Another contender, perhaps for gold, is Shamil MAMEDOV (AIN), an extremely talented youngster who won the gold medal at the 2022 Yasar Dogu. He had then expressed his desire to become the world champion. But that did not happen in 2022.

Mamedov will get that chance, incidentally in Belgrade, as he gears up for his first World Championships, perhaps the toughest in recent years. He will be backing himself to upset all the established stars and make a name for himself.

A true dark horse in this weight class is Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) who won bronze in 2021 and finished second to Amouzad in the Asian Championships this year. Tumur Ochir has troubled many this year using his underhook and strong build. But the World Championships will throw wrestlers of different styles who would have studied to break the Mongolian’s position.

Count on European champion Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) as well. He missed out on a medal last year but Tevanyan has been improving, winning the U23 World Championships, Ibrahim Moustafa Ranking Series, and European Championships. His style can frustrate a lot of wrestlers and if not engaged early, the Armenian can easily defend his lead.

Two-time world medalist Alejandro VALDES (CUB) is entered for Cuba as he tries to make it to Paris with the hope of winning his first Olympic medal. Uzbekistan has trusted Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) to do the job and the former U20 world champion has the ability but may lack the experience needed at this level.

The United States had John DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) in the final last year but he lost to Nicholas LEE (USA) in the domestic qualifications. Lee will have a huge responsibility on his shoulders as he tries to win the Paris quota for the U.S., something it missed in Tokyo.

Another NCAA star Austin GOMEZ (MEX) will be representing Mexico at the World Championships and it will be interesting to see how he performs internationally. Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK) and Erik ARUSHANIAN (UKR) can be the party-spoilers for anyone.

The champ vs. challengers sub would have been more apt for 125kg had Steveson entered. But with him out, Taha AKGUL (TUR) will be challenged in Belgrade and Steveson’s much-awaited bout with Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) will have to wait.

Zare will have his task cut out if he wants to win a second-world title. He was well on course last year before losing in the semifinals against Akgul who looked a better wrestler than in the Olympics or the 2021 World Championships.

Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) will have the same odds to win the title as Zare and Akgul as he chases his fourth in Belgrade. Petriashvili could have been the Olympic champion if not for Steveson to score a takedown literally in the final second.

The Georgian seems to have not put that loss behind as he lost tamely to Zare in 2021 and was stunned by MUNKHTUR (MGL) in the 2022 semifinals. Munkhtur lost to Akgul in the final but the four are expected to be on the podium once again.

Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) was a gut-wrench away from beating Zare last year in Almaty, Masson PARRIS (USA) had pinned Zare in U20 World Championships while Zhiwei DENG (CHN) has been a solid 125kg.

These three wrestlers can cause problems for the top four who should also keep an eye on Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE), Daniel LIGETI (HUN), Abraham CONYEDO (ITA), Robert BARAN (POL) are also entered.

The non-Olympic weight class will also throw some once-in-a-lifetime battles.

Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (AIN) is the favorite to win gold at 61kg. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

61kg
It was one-way traffic in 2021 as Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (AIN) won gold at 61kg. It is expected to be the same as he returns aiming for his second world title.

Asian champion Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) and Vitali ARUJAU (USA) could come close but unless everything works in their favor and Magomedov doesn’t really show up, it will be difficult even for returning silver medalist Reza ATRI (IRI).

Zain RETHERFORD (USA) is the returning silver medalist at 70kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

70kg
But the U.S. can still bank on Zain RETHERFORD (USA) to give them gold in one of the lower weight classes. The returning silver medalist will be pitted against bronze medalist Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ). Both lost to eventual champion Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN) at the World Championships last year. With the Japanese absent, Retherford will fancy his chances but so will Akmataliev who wrestled one of the most memorable matches against Narikuni in the semifinals.

But that’s what Akmataliev likes. The more his opponent attacks, Akmataliev will be counter and score big points.

Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) will try to deny both Retherford and Akmataliev and win his world gold after finishing with a silver medal in 2021. Yazdani has been a mixed bag at the international level and has suffered losses along the way.

Evgenii ZHERBAEV’s (AIN) entry has certainly made the weight class even more interesting but a lot will depend on the bracket.

Ramazan RAMAZANOV (AIN), Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO) and Ihor NYKYFORUK (UKR) will look to make some noise as well.

79kg
Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) denied him in two straight World Championships but Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) will be the favorite this year as Burroughs failed to make the U.S. team.

Chandler MARSTELLER (USA) defeated the six-time world champion in a best-of-three series to be in Belgrade. He will now try to stop Nokhodi. The two met in Budapest and Nokhodi dominated Marsteller.

However, Akhmed USMANOV (AIN) can cause some trouble with his different style of wrestling which Nokhodi, 21, may not be aware of.

U23 world champion Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO), Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) and Ramazan SARI (TUR) will try to finish among the medals.

92kg
Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) was on his way to a third consecutive world title but two injuries in the space of two months meant that the Iranian superstar had to withdraw from the World Championships.

That meant J’Den COX (USA) would finally get the gold he was denied by Ghasempour in the last two years but Cox switched to 97kg but never made the U.S. team. The absence of the two big stars has thrown the 92kg weight class wide open.

Both bronze medalists from 2022, Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) and Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) would feel that they can make the most of the situation and reach the final. Both have been consistent in 2023 and can make for a great final.

Vladislav VALIEV (AIN), a 2019 European champion at 86kg, will be a medal contender as well.

Iran is gambling with Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI), a regular at 97kg, who has been asked to drop down to 92kg as Iran tries to defend its team title.

Azarpira has won the age-group World Championships at 97kg but it will be too early to predict his performance at 92kg, especially after the weight cut.

Zahid VALENCIA (USA) made the U.S. team and can use to his active wrestling to win his first world medal. But it won’t be easy against some of the best in the world and Valencia has to switch levels.

Two-time European champion Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) defeated both Maisuradze and Nurmagomedov en route to the gold medal and will push himself to repeat and end up on the podium.

Two absolute hammers are 19-year-olds Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) and Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ). The two met in the final of the Asian Championships with Yoshida prevailing over Aitmukhan in what was his first international trip.

Aitmukhan was in the final of the U20 World Championships as well but finished with a silver medal. But both Yoshida and Aitmukhan can trouble the best in the business.

The World Championships will kick off on September 16 with Freestyle and will be live on UWW+ and FloSport for the U.S. audience.

Taylor wins latest duel against Yazdani; Burroughs claims sixth gold

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Preview: Freestyle rivalries resume but tough test awaits stars in Belgrade