2021 World Silver Medalist Kyle Snyder (Photo/Tony Rotundo/UWW)#6 Magomedmurad Gadzhiev (POL) wins 70 KG world gold. Past world champion #15 Zurab Iakobishvili (GEO) returns to form with world bronze.
Facing off against fellow Tokyo 65 KG Olympian #7 (65) Ernazar Akhmataliev (KGZ), two-time world medalist #6 Magomedmurad Gadzhiev (POL) didn't stray from the gameplan, using strong positioning and a snatch single to win his first world title 2-1 off a passivity point and a stepout. While Gadzhiev's style is not the most entertaining to watch, it's undeniable that the consistency he shows in shutting down more offensively potent wrestler's offense means he should be considered a perennial title threat. 2017 65 KG world champion #15 Zurab Iakobishvili (GEO) returned to the form that won him gold in Paris, being on the attack the whole match against the counter savant Turan Bayramov (AZE). In a pivotal sequence in the closing moments of the match, Iakobishvili got in on a head inside single that was defended with a strong limp leg by Bayramov. Bayramov, feeling Iakobishvili's pressure while reloading his shot, exposed the Georgian with a strong whizzer for the 3-3 criteria win. But controversy ensued again for Bayramov as Georgia challenged the call and was successful in getting it overturned and an ensuing failed challenge from Azerbaijan locked up the 4-3 win for Iakobishvili. Even with the controversy surrounding the match, Iakobishvili's return to his high output, high offense style was successful in winning him his third world medal.
#1 Evgheni Zherbaev (RWF) rebounded from his back and forth semifinal loss to world runner-up #7 (65) Ernazar Akhmataliev (KGZ) with a convincing 6-0 win over Arman Andreasyan (ARM) for bronze. With 70 KG in Russia boasting greater talent than ever at 70 with #2 Israil Kasumov (RWF), #3 Kurban Shiraev (RWF), #4 David Baev (RWF), #10 Rezuan Kazharov (RWF) and the potential move up in weight of 65 KG world champion #3 (65) Zagir Shakhiev (RWF), Evgheni Zherbaev will have his hands full if he wants to hold down the spot and get a chance to win world gold after his bronze in Oslo.
#1 Abdulrashid Sadulaev (RWF) wins seventh World/Olympic title and Russian team title with victory over three-time World/Olympic champion #2 Kyle Snyder (USA).
In one of the most highly anticipated finals of the world championships, #1 Abdulrashid Sadulaev (RWF) and #2 Kyle Snyder (USA) met with the 97 KG and world team title on the line. Taking the lead 1-0 at the end of the first period off a passivity point, Sadulaev turned it on in the second period. With a minute and a half left on the clock and leading 2-0 off another passivity point, the Avar tank pulled the trigger on a underhook throw by to get the first takedown of the match and followed it with a powerful gut wrench to take the 6-0 lead. A charging Snyder fought valiantly to close the gap against Sadulaev, but the masterful Dagestani was able to capture his seventh World/Olympic title with a 6-0 victory. Sadulaev's triumph in Oslo further solidifies his legend status with seven World/Olympic titles matching him with Makharbek Khadartsev (RUS), one World/Olympic gold behind 8x champs Sergey Beloglasov (URS) and Valentin Jordanov (BUL), two behind 9x champion Buvaisar Saitiev (RUS) and three World/Olympic titles behind 10x champion Alexander Medved (URS).
Mahamd Zakariiev (UKR) put together an impressive showing to take home world bronze with a 9-3 victory over two-time European runner-up #17 Aleksandr Hushtyn (BLR). Zakariiev also took a 6-3 victory in the quarterfinals of #10 Suleyman Karadeniz (TUR). Zakariiev returns Ukraine to their status as a medal producing country at 97 KG, having had a run of four straight World/Olympic medals from 2012-2015.
#11 Mojtaba Goleij (IRI) rebounded from a crushing last second loss to world runner-up #2 Kyle Snyder (USA) with a dominant 10-0 tech fall over Batsul Ulziisaikhan (MGL). While Goleij will be sole World/Olympic medalist out of this quad, it is to be seen if he continues to be the rep, as it's likely that Iran calls back on #7 Mohammad Mohammadian (IRI) or even floats the possibility of having 92 KG world champion Kamran Ghasempour (IRI) move up in weight.
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