2022 US Open Nico Megaludis (Photo/Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com)57 KG
2021 Olympic silver medalist Ravi Kumar (IND) was successful in winning his third straight continental title, with an impressive 12-2 technical superiority victory over Rakhat Kalzhan (KAZ) in the Asian championships finals. Kumar, ranked 7th at 61 kilograms in last month's rankings, returns to 57 KG at #3 behind 2021 world champion, #2 Thomas Gilman (USA), and 2021 Olympic champion #1 Zavur Uguev (RUS). Kalzhan made a serious impact in his Senior Asian championships debut, beating #8 (61) Gulomyon Abdullaev (UZB) and #13 Almaz Smanbekov (KGZ) to make the finals. A minor upset took place in the bronze medal match, as Yasar Dogu champion Smanbekov defeated 2021 Ziolkowski champion #8 (61) Gulomyon Abdullaev (UZB) 13-7. Japan's Rikuto Arai took the second bronze medal of the competition, winning a tight 9-8 match against 2017 Asian championships runner-up Zanabazar Zandanbud (MGL).
Other than the return of Kumar into the top three, other changes to the rankings from the Asian championships includes; Kalzhan's top ten debut at #7, Smanbekov moving up five spots to #8 and Abdullaev returning to the rankings at #9. #3 Reza Atri (IRI) falls in the rankings to #10 due to my overvaluing of his wins over #18 Bekhbayar Erdenebat (MGL), #11 Alireza Sarlak (IRI) and #20 (61) Suleyman Atli (TUR), that do not hold up to the performances of Kalzhan, Smanbekov or Abdullaev.
2018 51 KG Cadet world champion Matthew Ramos (USA) won the U.S. Open over Anthony Molton (USA).
Artyom Gobaev (RUS) won the championships of North Ossetia over Khasan Khusov (RUS) with Tamik Gobozov (RUS) and David Abacharaev (RUS) taking bronze. Osman Sultanov (RUS) won Russian U-23 nationals over Osman Tekeev (RUS) with Murad Aliev (RUS) and Asker Khezhev (RUS) taking bronze. Kharyskhal Grigorev (RUS) won the RFSO tournament over Petr Kopylov (RUS) with Alexei Kopylov (RUS) and Dulustan Fedotov (RUS) taking bronze. Alexey Danilov (RUS) won the Siberian Federal District tournament over Kuder Mongush (RUS) with Amyr Khomushku (RUS) and Alexander Kochevoi (RUS) taking bronze.
61KG
After well-documented struggles with his weight cut during the qualifying process for the 57 KG 2021 Olympic Games that culminated in losing his wrestle-off to 2017 world champion #14 (57) Yuki Takahashi (JPN), 2016 57 KG Olympic silver medalist Rei Higuchi (JPN) made his return back up to 61 KG with his first Asian championships title over Darioush Tanzevan (IRI). Bronze medalists at the Asian championships were #17 Ulukbek Zholdoshbekov (KGZ) and Akbar Kurbanov (KAZ). Higuchi returns to the rankings at #4 while Zholdoshbekov moves up five spots to #12 after taking bronze and beating 2021 Asian champion #10 Jahongirmirza Turobov (UZB) in the quarterfinals.
#19 Nico Megaludis (USA) makes his debut in the top ten at #8 after beating 2019 57 KG Pan-Am champion #9 Josh Rodriguez (USA) to win the U.S. Open.
Rustam Dolaev (RUS) won the U-23 Russian championships over Lev Polomov (RUS) with Ramaz Shamilov (RUS) and Soslan Bagov (RUS) finishing with bronze. Vadim Bikoev (RUS) took gold at the championships of North Ossetia against Taimuraz Dzgoev (RUS) with Alik Dzaurov (RUS) taking bronze. Kezhik Seden (RUS) was the champion of the Siberian Federal District over 2018 57 KG Russian Nationals runner-up Donduk-Ool Khuresh Ool (RUS). Gennady Shtygashev (RUS) and Amri Chamzyn (RUS) took bronze at the Siberian Federal District. Uigulaan Ivanov (RUS) won gold at the RFSO tournament over Magomed Sebedinov (RUS) with Vitaly Espek (RUS) and Alexander Avelov (RUS) taking bronze.
65KG
2021 61 KG Junior world champion Rahman Amouzadkhalili (IRI) made his 65 KG debut in a big way, taking out three-time Asian champion and returning Olympic bronze medalist #5 Bajrang Punia (IND) to take gold at the Asian championships. Amouzadkhalili makes his 65 KG rankings debut at #7 while Punia falls three spots to #8. Taking bronze at the Asian championships were 2019 61 KG Junior world champion Kaiki Yamaguchi (JPN) and Abbos Rakhmonov (UZB).
Kendric Maple (USA) won the U.S. Open over Matthew Kolodzik (USA). 2021 Russian Nationals bronze medalist #15 Abdulmazhid Kudiev (RUS) won the U-23 Russian championships over Alexander Sabanov (RUS) with Abdurakhman Dalgatov (RUS) and Muratbi Badtiev (RUS) taking bronze. Alexander Ivanov (RUS) won the RFSO tournament over Aykhan Antonov (RUS) with Magomedkhabib Akhmadulaev (RUS) and Dyuluskhan Totonov (RUS) finishing in bronze. 2021 61 KG Russian Nationals bronze medalist Cherman Tavitov (RUS) took gold at the championships of North Ossetia over Elbrus Valiev (RUS) with bronze medalists being Dzhambulat Kizinov (RUS) and Inal Karsanov (RUS). Kezhik Mongush (RUS) won the Siberian Federal District tournament over Robert Manasyan (RUS) with Gasrat Tinaev (RUS) and Ezir Tyulyush (RUS) taking bronze. #17 Umidjon Jalolov (UZB) won the Junior Journeyman classic over Cody Chittum (USA).
70KG
2017 world silver medalist #3 James Green (USA) retired from competition to take the helm as a developmental coach for team USA. Green has been removed from the rankings and the #3 spot is now held down by 2021 world bronze medalist Evgheni Zherbaev (RUS). The group of Zherbaev, #7 Israil Kasumov (RUS), #4 Viktor Rassadin (RUS), and #8 Kurban Shiraev (RUS) all got moved into the top five after #5 Ernazar Akmataliev (KGZ) lost in the finals of the Asian championships to Taishi Narikuni (JPN). Narikuni debuts at #9 for beating Akmataliev. Bronze medalists at the Asian championships were Syrbaz Talgat (KAZ) and Naveen Naveen (IND).
#13 Alec Pantaleo (USA) won the U.S. Open over 2021 65 KG Olympic Trials champion Jordan Oliver (USA). 2021 65 KG U-23 world runner-up Ibragim Abdurakhmanov (RUS) won the U-23 Russian Nationals over Magomed Gazimagomedov (RUS) with Abdulmuslim Abdulmuslimov (RUS) taking bronze. Kezhik Chymba (RUS) was the Siberian Federal District champion over 2021 Yarygin bronze medalist Chaiaan Mongush (RUS) with bronze medalists being Rostislav Korolev (RUS) and Sergey Yakimov (RUS). Georgy Sekinaev (RUS) won the championships of North Ossetia over Batyrbek Tskhovrebov (RUS) with Arsen Tegetaev (RUS) and Ruslan Gasiev (RUS) finishing with bronze. Aisen Potapov (RUS) won the RFSO tournament over Konstantin Kaprynov (RUS) with Nurgustaan Ivanov (RUS) and Walter Vladimirov (RUS) taking bronze.
74KG
#1 Zaurbek Sidakov (RUS) won the marquee matchup of the championship of North Ossetia against Yarygin champion #6 Cherman Valiev (RUS). Bronze medalists at the championships of North Ossetia were Alan Kudzoev (RUS) and Robert Dzukaev (RUS). #7 Jason Nolf (USA) won the U.S. Open over Joshua Shields (USA). 2019 70 KG world bronze medalist Younes Emami (IRI) enters the rankings at #14 for beating two-time Asian champion Nurkhoza Kaipanov (KAZ) to win his first Senior Asian championships title. Bronze medalists at the Asian championships were Islambek Orozbekov (KGZ) and Daichi Takatani (JPN). Kaipanov slots in at #15 behind Emami. U-23 European champion #20 Dzhabrail Gadzhiev (AZE) moves up four spots to #16 and Turan Bayramov (AZE) makes his 74 KG debut at #17. The reason for this is to just continually add guys (Magomedrasul Asluev, Soslanbek Budaev, Dinislam Bolurov) who beat 2021 Umakhanov tournament champ Mohamed Nasirkhaev (RUS) into the middle of the rankings and just put them over each other back and forth is stupid when you have guys with outright better resumes like Emami, Kaipanov, Gadzhiev and Bayramov.
Dinislam Bolurov (RUS) won the U-23 Russian nationals over 2021 Umakhanov tournament champion Mohamed Nasirkhaev (RUS) to debut in the rankings at #20. Bronze medalists at the U-23 Russian Nationals were Muhammad Beshtoev (RUS) and Gadzhimurad Gasanov (RUS). Konstan Vlasov (RUS) won the RFSO over Grigory Shumilov (RUS) with bronze medalists being Nikolay Svitsev (RUS) and Andrian Lensky (RUS). Konstantin Topshinoev (RUS) won the Siberian Federal District over 2018 70 KG Russian Nationals runner-up Arpak Sat (RUS). Anton Suchkov (RUS) and 2018 65 KG Junior world champion Sayin Kazyryk (RUS) took bronze at the Siberian Federal District.
79KG
The U.S. Open saw a major domestic and international shakeup as 2x NCAA champion Vincenzo Joseph (USA) upset #5 Alex Dieringer (USA) to make the finals. In the finals, Joseph would fall in a barnburner of a match against David McFadden (USA). From the aftermath of the U.S. Open, David McFadden (USA) and Vincenzo Joseph (USA) make their top ten debut at #5 and #6 respectively while Dieringer falls two spots to #7.
#11 Ali Savadkouhi (IRI) won the Asian championships over 2020 Asian championships runner-up Baliyan Gourav (IND). Bronze medalists at the Asian championships were Yudai Takahashi (JPN) and Arsalan Budazhapov (KGZ). Baliyan Gourav (IND) makes his debut in the rankings at #20 after winning a rematch of the 2020 Asian championships finals against #18 Arsalan Budazhapov (KGZ) in the semifinals of the Asian championships.
Two-time Russian Nationals bronze medalist Nikita Suchkov (RUS) won the Siberian Federal District tournament over Ertine Mortuy-Ool (RUS) with bronze medalists being Denis Korolev (RUS) and Semen Tereschenko (RUS). Timur Nikolaev (RUS) won the RFSO tournament over Jamal Akhmadudinov (RUS) with bronze medalists being Dulustan Kalachev (RUS) and Ilya Ponomarev (RUS). Akhmad Shakhbanov (RUS) won the U-23 Russian Nationals over Akhmed Manilov (RUS) with Magomet Kardanov (RUS) and Ramazan Aliev taking bronze. David Betanov (RUS) won the championships of North Ossetia (RUS) over Alan Gutsaev (RUS) with Alik Badtiev (RUS) and Zhavid Zaseev (RUS) taking bronze. Yarygin champion and 2021 world bronze medalist Radik Valiev (RUS) moved up to 86 KG where he won the championships of North Ossetia title over Slavik Naniev (RUS) and has been removed from the rankings.
86KG
#9 Azamat Dauletbekov (KAZ) won the Asian championships over Indian superstar Deepak Punia (IND). Bronze medalists at the Asian championships were Mohsen Alanjagh (IRI) and Bobur Islamov (UZB). Two-time Junior world champion Mark Hall (USA) won the U.S. Open over Marcus Coleman (USA). 2021 79 KG world bronze medalist Radik Valiev (RUS) won the championships over North Ossetia over Slavik Naniev (RUS) with bronze medalists being Aslan Khapsaev (RUS) and Azamat Khadzaragov (RUS). Mustafagadzhi Malachdibirov (RUS) won the U-23 Russian Nationals over Stanislav Gochichaev (RUS) with bronze medalists being Liuan Khakov (RUS) and Yasin Gozgeshev (RUS). Azret Ulimbashev (RUS) won the Siberian Federal District tournament over #16 (79) Dmitri Kuprin (RUS) with Timur Kotaev (RUS) and Alexei Bazdyrev (RUS) taking bronze. Muslim Shamsudinov (RUS) won the RFSO tournament over Aisen Kopyrin (RUS) with Leonid Danilov (RUS) and Alexei Efimov (RUS) taking bronze. No changes to the rankings.
92KG
Amirhossein Firouzpourbandpei (IRI) won the Asian championships over Orgilokh Dagvadorj (MGL). Bronze medalists at the Asian championships were Viky Viky (IND) and Adilet Davlumbaev (KAZ). Cam Caffey (USA) won the U.S. Open over Isaac Trumble (USA). Lambert Kharonov (RUS) won the RFSO tournament over Bogdai Ovchinnikov (RUS) with Artyom Sivtsev (RUS) and Sergey Nikolaev (RUS) taking bronze. Abdulla Badyrgov (RUS) won the Siberian Federal District tournament over Roman Khvostov (RUS) with Alexander Dorzhu (RUS) taking bronze. Berd Kusov (RUS) won the championships of North Ossetia over Alan Kappoev (RUS) with Arsen Edzoev (RUS) and Aslan Gabuev (RUS) taking bronze. Ashkab Saadulaev (RUS) won U-23 Russian Nationals over Alikhan Kotsoev (RUS) with Alik Shebzukhov (RUS) and Saikhan Imeev (RUS) taking bronze.
97KG
Michael Macchiavello (USA) won the U.S. Open over Joe Rau (USA). #4 Mohammad Mohammadian (IRI) won the Asian championships 11-0 over Batsul Ulzaisaikhan (MGL). Bronze medalists at the Asian championships were Satywart Kadian (IND) and Mamed Ibragimov (KAZ). European Championships bronze medalist Zbigniew Baranowski (POL) has been added to the rankings at #11 because I thought both Baranowski and Odikadze placed. The actual medal order for Euros in March was 1. Magomedkhan Magomedov (AZE) 2. Vladislav Baitsaev (HUN) 3. Zbigniew Baranowski (POL) and 3. Batyrbek Tsakulov (SVK). 2021 Tokyo Olympian #7 (125) Sergey Kozyrev (RUS) made the move back down to 97 KG where he won the U-23 Russian Nationals over Islam Kilchukov (RUS) with Arip Abdulkhalikov (RUS) and Marat Tokhtaulov (RUS). Kozyrev debuts in the 97 KG rankings at #15. 2019 Russian Nationals bronze medalist Georgi Gogaev (RUS) won the championships of North Ossetia over Arsamag Zaseev (RUS) with Arsen Alborov (RUS) and Tamerlan Kotsoev (RUS) taking bronze. Konstantin Pshenichnikov (RUS) won the Siberian Federal District tournament over Nikita Akulinchev (RUS) with Bady-Maady Samden (RUS) and 2019 Russian Nationals runner-up Igor Ovsyannikov (RUS) taking bronze. Pshenichnikov enters the rankings at #20 after #19 Erik Dzhioev moved up to heavyweight.
125KG
The only major change this month was 2021 Tokyo Olympian #7 Sergey Kozyrev (RUS) moving down to 97 KG. Everyone from #8 below gets a move up and European bronze medalist Robert Baran (POL) is back in the rankings at #20. #13 Yadollah Mohebbi (IRI) won the Asian championships over Alisher Yergali (KAZ). Bronze medalists at the Asian championships were Batmagnai Enkhtuvshin (MGL) and Yeihyun Jung (KOR). 2021 Russian Nationals runner-up #10 Atsamaz Tebloev (RUS) won the championships of North Ossetia over Soslan Khinchagov (RUS) with Andrey Bestaev (RUS) and David Dzugaev (RUS) taking bronze. Tebloev doubled up on titles in the month of April with another gold at the U-23 Russian Nationals over Tamerlan Kumyshev (RUS). Bronze medalists at the U-23 Russian Nationals were Said Gairbekov (RUS) and Gamzat Alizhudinov (RUS). Andrey Aronov (RUS) won the RFSO tournament over Evgeny Alekseev (RUS) with Danila Grishin (RUS) and Artyom Platov (RUS) taking bronze. Ostap Pasenok (RUS) won the Siberian Federal District tournament over Pavel Krivstov (RUS) with Erik Dzhioev (RUS) and Vladimir Kalashnikov (RUS) taking bronze.
Pound for Pound
#23 Bajrang Punia (IND) is out of the rankings after losing in the 65 KG Asian championships finals to #7 (65) Rahman Amouzadkhalili (IRI). With Bajrang being removed from the ranking, 2021 92 KG world champion #1 (92) takes the #25 spot.
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