Thomas Gilman (left) and Amir Zare (Gilman Photo/Tony Rotundo; Zare Photo/Kadir Caliskan; UWW)The 2021 World Championships saw a number of breakout performances in men's freestyle. From improbable upset runs to long-term contenders breaking through for gold, this article is going to break down the top 10 most impressive breakout performances from the world championships.
1. #3 Amir Zare (IRI) - 125 KG world champion
#3 Amir Zare of Iran has been seen as one of heavyweight's premier prospects since his performance at the 2018 Cadet world championships, when he beat out Penn State All-American Greg Kerkvliet (USA) for his first world title. A runner-up finish the following year at Junior worlds to Mason Parris, an NCAA runner-up for Michigan, was the catalyst Zare needed to break through as he concluded 2019 with a win over reigning three-time world champion #2 Geno Petriashvili (GEO) and a U-23 world title over Vitali Goloev (RWF). Zare continued to roll into 2020, where he started off the year with a huge title at the Matteo Pellicone, where he upset three-time world champion Bilyal Makhov (RWF) in the finals.
This year began with Zare on the outside looking in, as at the end of 2020, he lost his wrestle-off series to Amin Taheri (IRI) for the Individual World Cup. When Iran only sent #9 (61) Rahman Amouzadkhalili (IRI), the wrestle-off results between Zare and Taheri were extended into 2021 and Taheri's results at the Asian championships would determine if he could get a chance to wrestle in Tokyo. With Zare up 6-0 halfway through the first period of his Asian Championships semifinals match against #14 Aiaal Lazarev (KGZ), he was pinned in a bodylock. Zare's spot for Tokyo was locked up with a gold at the Ziolkowski over #8 Nick Gwiazdowski (USA), his warm-up for the fight for Olympic gold.
Fast forward to Tokyo and Zare was dominant through to the semis, outscoring 2019 World bronze medalist Oleksandr Khotsianivski (UKR) and Egzhon Shala (KOS) by a 20-2 margin. Leading three-time world champion #2 Geno Petriashvili (GEO) 3-0 through the first period, Zare would fall by a 6-3 comeback from Petriashvili and rebound with a 5-0 win over 2018 world runner-up #6 Zhiwei Deng (CHN).
Wrestling in Oslo, only two months removed from his Olympic bronze medal performance, Zare had yet again gone through another metamorphosis. Zare ran through the best heavyweight had to offer, outclassing #10 Dzianis Khramiankov (BLR), #8 Nick Gwiazdowski (USA) and #1 Taha Akgul (TUR) with fantastic positioning, heavy hand fighting and crisp reattacks to make the finals. With his chance at revenge against the reigning Olympic runner-up #2 Geno Petriashvili (GEO). A 3-2 lead over Petriashvili in the first quickly snowballed into an indomitable 9-2 triumph for world gold. At only 20 years old, Amir Zare had beaten two of the great heavyweights of the modern era in dominant fashion for world gold and set himself up as the king of the weight for the foreseeable future. For that reason, I see Zare's performance as the number one breakthrough in Oslo.
2. #2 Kamran Ghasempour (IRI )- 92 KG world champion
A 2013 Cadet world runner-up at 69 KG to #4 Batyrbek Tsakulov (RWF), #2 Kamran Ghasempour (IRI) wouldn't return to international competition again until 2018, wherein February he followed up a Takhti Cup title with a title at the International Ukrainian Tournament in a loaded field with victories over past Russian Nationals champion Shamil Kudiyamagomedov (ITA), European runner-up Alexander Gostiev (AZE) and US standout Richard Perry (USA). Ghasempour wouldn't compete internationally again until November at the U-23 world championships as he'd lost his wrestle-off against four-time World/Olympic champion #2 (86) Hassan Yazdani Charati (IRI). Bulldozing his way through to the finals, Ghasempour controlled European champion, Russian Nationals runner-up #3 (86) Artur Naifonov (RWF) for U-23 world gold.
Ghasempour's 2019 would further cement him as one of the best at 86 KG, as he took his second titles at the Takhti Cup and U-23 world championships along with gold at the Tbilisi GP and Asian championships. Even with his four international titles, Ghasempour was yet again left on the outside looking in as he lost another wrestle-off against Hassan Yazdani Charati for the Senior world championship.
Having made the move up to 92 KG in 2021, Ghasempour won his second Asian championships title over Tsogtgerel Munkhbaatar (MGL) and made the cut back down to 86 KG for a chance to wrestle in Tokyo. For the third year, Ghasempour was runner-up to Yazdani Charati again and made the move back up to 92 KG. Winning his wrestle-off series against 2020 Asian champion #3 Javad Ebrahimi, Ghasempour walked into Oslo looking to break through for gold after having been in the shadow of Yazdani since 2018.
Convincing wins over Andrii Vlasov (UKR) and 2019 World bronze medalist #15 Irakli Mtsituri (GEO) put Ghasempour in the semifinals against reigning world champion #13 J'den Cox of the United States. While Ghasempour was the higher-ranked of the two, Cox had been near untouchable since the end of 2018; beating the likes of 2019 U-23 world champion Bo Nickal (USA), 2x World/Olympic bronze medalist Dato Marsagishvili (GEO) and #13 (97) Alireza Karimimachiani (IRI) on his way to double world gold.
In a career-defining performance, Ghasempour took the fight to Cox right away, out-hand fighting the American to set up crisp shots against the nearly impenetrable defense of Cox that he used for a pair of step-outs along with a passivity point to forge a 3-3 criteria win. Awaiting Ghasempour in the finals was top-ranked European champion Magomed Kurbanov of the Russian Wrestling Federation. In one of the most entertaining finals matches of the World Championships, Ghasempour and Kurbanov went to war with Ghasempour carrying a 6-2 lead with 30 seconds on the clock; Kurbanov exploded through a double leg for a takedown and transitioned to a gut wrench to secure the match win. With Ghasempour almost all the way taken through, he pulled off a deft counter and exposed Kurbanov to take an 8-4 lead and stun the Russian from what looked to be a guaranteed win. Ghasempour held off the charging Kurbanov for 92 KG world gold.
After having gone unbeaten in international competition since 2018, Ghasempour finally got his chance to shine and win Senior world gold after having spent so long in the shadow of Yazdani. Now at the start of a new quad, Ghasempour looks to have the tools to establish himself as a dominant force at 92 KG and I'm excited to see how Iran uses his talent.
3. #3 Thomas Gilman (USA)- 57 KG world champion
In a career that had been defined by always being one step away from gold, Olympic bronze medalist Thomas Gilman of the United States used his incredible momentum from Tokyo to springboard himself to a Senior world title.
Opening against #6 Abubakar Mutaliev (RWF), an opponent he lost twice to in 2019, Gilman was on another level right away, pinning the Russian standout in under a minute and a half. In what was supposed to be Gilman's toughest match of the world's, he absolutely dominated an elite talent the like of Mutaliev. Vladimir Egorov of Macedonia was an easy quarterfinal win for Gilman as he rolled to an 11-0 tech fall over the Yakut transfer.
2020 European bronze medalist Horst Lehr of Germany came out on fire against Gilman, but Gilman was there, taking the 5-5 lead 2 minutes into the match after coming back from a Lehr fireman's carry and headlock. Two step-outs for Gilman sealed out the 7-5 lead to end the first period and the second period would be vintage Gilman. A knee pull single to a high gut gave him the 11-5 lead. A go behind made it a 13-5 lead and a knee pull single secured the 15-5 dominant tech fall win for Gilman to make his second career world finals.
Against Alireza Sarlak (IRI), Gilman was in top form, using a potent combination of pressure and leg attacks to take a controlled 5-3 win over the Iranian standout for his first world title. After having gone tooth and nail with three-time World/Olympic champion #1 Zavur Uguev (RWF)
4. #3 Zagir Shakhiev (RWF) - 65 KG world champion
A cadet world champion in 2016 at 54 KG, Zagir Shakhiev toiled away on the Russian domestic scene for four years until he made his big break at 2020 Russian Nationals. Coming out of nowhere, Shakhiev went on an absolute tear, dominating the likes of 2016 Olympic champion Soslan Ramonov (RWF), Artur Badtiev (RWF) and Kezhik Chimba (RWF) to take bronze with his only loss coming in the semifinals to two time world bronze medalist #8 Akhmed Chakaev (RWF).
A year passes by and Shakhiev doesn't just match his performance from 2020, but smashes it. At this year's Russian Nationals championships, Shakhiev dominated past Russian Nationals medalists #3 (70), Kurban Shiraev (RWF), Ibragim Abdurakhmanov (RWF) and Julian Gergenov (RWF) to make the finals against returning world champion #2 Gadzhimurad Rashidov (RWF). Losing by a razor-thin 5-3 margin, Shakhiev had proven himself to be the new generation of 65 KG.
Off his spectacular performance at Russian Nationals, the Russian national team appointed Shakhiev as the official representative for Russia at the European championships. Dominant throughout, Shakhiev ran up the scoreboard 31-7 against his competition, beating Poland's Kryzysztian Brzozwski (POL) 13-2 for gold. With Gadzhimurad Rashidov sitting out of the world championships after taking bronze in Tokyo, a wrestle-off was set for 65 KG. Shakhiev, Ali Aliev champion #10 Abdulmazhid Kudiev (RWF) and two-time world bronze medalist #8 Akhmed Chakaev (RWF) were selected to take part. With Chakaev crushing Kudiev 10-0 to get the chance to wrestle Shakhiev, Zagir left no opportunity for Chakaev to make his third world team, dominating the Chechen standout 10-3 to earn his spot in Oslo.
Shakhiev's path to world gold would not come with ease as he had to overcome serious adversity in his semifinal bout. Against 2019 U-23 Asian champion Tulga Tumur Ochir of Mongolia, Shakhiev was behind 2-0 going into the final second of the match against the powerful Mongolian. Finally able to clear the powerful right underhook of Tumur Ochir, Shakhiev timed a perfect sweep single to take the 2-2 lead and a leg lace gave him a more comfortable 4-2 lead going into the final moments of the match. What looked to be a guaranteed victory for Shakhiev was put in peril as a hard-charging Tumur Ochir was able to score a go behind in the final five seconds to tie the score 4-4. A spirited protest from the Mongolian corner came in, but Shakhiev would escape with the win by the skin of his teeth off by virtue of having the higher value scores than Tumur Ochir (1 takedown, 1 exposure to Tumur Ochir's 2 passivity points, 1 takedown).
Shakhiev's world finals match would be a completely different story than his heart attack of a semifinals bout. In control from the start, Shakhiev used a masterful head outside single followed by four exposures off an elbow roll to race out to a 10-4 lead. Transitioning immediately to a standing leg lace, Shakhiev powered Yazdani Charati through for two more exposures to seal a crushing 14-4 finals victory for world gold.
Zagir Shakhiev is a wrestler to keep an eye on, as he is the heir apparent to take the title of Russia's best at 65 KG when Gadzhimurad Rashidov retires and it is to be seen if Shakhiev can even breakthrough in this current quad and take the spot. The chances of getting to see Shakhiev against a full-strength 65 KG field are incredibly exciting and I am very interested to see how he grows.
5. #7 (65) Ernazar Akmataliev (KGZ) - 70 KG world runner-up
Ernazar Akmataliev (KGZ) first caught the eyes of American fans at the 2019 U-23 world championships after a 13-13 criteria victory over the 2021 141 LB NCAA runner-up Jaydin Eierman (USA) in his fifth-place finish at the 2019 U-23 world championships. Even with his losses to Turan Bayramov (AZE) and Igor Nikiforuk (UKR), Akhmataliev had still announced himself as a future talent to keep an eye on.
It wouldn't be until 2021 that Akhmataliev made his breakthrough into legitimate contender status. Making the finals of the International Ukrainian Tournament in February with victories over U-23 European champions #9 (65) Erik Arushanian (UKR) and Turan Bayramov (AZE), Akmataliev finished runner-up to 2018 U-23 world runner-up Ali Rahimzade (AZE).
While his wins over Arushanian and Bayramov would age well with time, Akmataliev would explode into full contender status at the Asian Olympic qualifier. Wrestling 2015 Russian Nationals champion Ilyas Bekbulatov (UZB) in the semifinals with a spot at Tokyo at stake, Akmataliev was down big. An 8-0 deficit against a technician the likes of Bekbulatov looked to spell doom for Akmataliev, but a brilliant chin whip counter for the pin from Akmataliev stopped Bekbulatov's Olympic dreams and gave him his career-defining win. Against world runner-up Amir Mohammad Yazdani Charati (IRI), Akmataliev was again pushed to his limit and had to rely on his fantastic chest wrap for a 15-13 victory.
As a dark horse contender in Tokyo, Akmataliev faced returning world bronze medalist #5 (65) Bajrang Punia (IND) in the qualification round. A foot stomp single for Bajrang would be the defining action of the match, as the Indian superstar won 3-3 and eliminated the Kyrgyz standout from his first Olympic Games.
Wrestling up at 70 KG, Akamtaliev strolled through a 10-0 tech fall of Anil Gedara of Sri Lanka to make the round of 16 against Individual World Cup bronze medalist Arman Andreasyan (ARM). Andreasyan would be no match for Akmataliev as an 11-2 win came easy for the Kyrgyz. Facing off against Junior world champion #12 Erfan Elahi (IRI), Akmataliev was pushed to his absolute limit and had to use a last-second chest wrap to take an 8-7 victory over Elahi.
Top-ranked Evgheni Zherbaev of the Russian Wrestling Federation had been dominant on his way through to the semifinals. A longtime contender who'd beaten the best of Russia but never gotten the chance to prove it at world's, the Buryat standout was one match away from getting wrestle for world gold. Akmataliev took command of the match right away, headlocking Zherbaev forty seconds into the match off a Zherbaev knee pull single. Zherbaev rallied back to take a 5-4 lead after the first period; Akmataliev came back with a step out and a go behind off a Zherbaev go behind to take the 7-5 lead. In the closing seconds of the match, Zherbaev made a final charge with a chest wrap attempt that saw him thrown out of bounds by Akmataliev. A failed challenge from the Russian corner sealed the victory for Akhmataliev and his chance for world gold.
The electrifying offense and late match heroics of Akmataliev would be nullified by the smothering style of #6 Magomedmurad Gadzhiev (POL) in a 2-1 loss in the world finals. While Akmataliev had an absolutely impeccable year and only got better from competition to competition, his inability to generate offense against Gadzhiev is worrying as if he can't win matches that aren't high octane shoot outs, then he can't make it against the elite of the weight who can overcome in 2-1, 3-1 matches.
6. #20 Mohammad Nokhodilarimi (IRI) - 79 KG world runner-up
Hungry for a Senior world title to match his Junior world gold he earned in August, #20 (79) Mohammad Nokhodilarimi of Iran was hailed as Iran's great middleweight hope after the disappointment of Mostafa Hosseinkhani (IRI), Bahman Teymouri (IRI), Peyman Yarahmadi (IRI) and Ezzatollah Akbari (IRI) failing to get a medal for Iran at 74 and 79 KG through the 2016-2021 quad.
Beginning his world championships with victories over Aron Caneva (ITA) and Arman Avagyan (ARM), Nokhodilarimi faced off against the reigning European runner-up Saifedine Alekma (FRA) in the quarterfinals. Against one of his most credentialed senior-level opponents to date, Nokhodilarimi shined, tech falling the Frenchman 11-0 to set up a pivotal semifinal bout against 2018 U-23 world champion #7 Nika Kentchadze (GEO). In one of the most exciting matches of the tournament, Nokhodilarimi overcame the multiple fouls from the talented Georgian and a late comeback effort to pull away for a 6-5 victory and his second world finals appearance.
Facing off against the living legend that is five-time World/Olympic champion #1 Jordan Burroughs of the United States, Nokhodilarimi brought a highly physical match to the American standout, with both men bloodied and their heads wrapped to end the first. The first period ended with a 1-0 lead for Burroughs and while Nokhodilarimi was game and traded heavy blows with Burroughs in the hand fight, the trademark double leg of the American champion would win him the day against the Iranian for a 5-1 victory and his 6th World/Olympic title.
Even with Nokhodillarimi coming up short in his pursuit of Junior and Senior world gold in the same year, his ability to keep close with Burroughs, along with his clutch victory over an established talent the likes of #7 Nika Kentchadze (GEO), made Nokhodilarimi one of the top breakthroughs from the world championships.
7. Tulga Tumur Ochir (MGL) - 65 KG world bronze medalist
A dangerous upper body technician always on the verge of breaking through, Tulga Tumur Ochir (MGL) has made himself known as a dark horse contender for his win at the 2018 world championships over 70 KG world champion #6 (70) Magomedmurad Gadzhiev (POL) and his two razor-thin losses to 3x World/Olympic medalist #5 Bajrang Punia (IND) at the 2018 and 2019 world championships.
After having come up short in his three World/Olympic appearances, Tumur Ochir was a different man in Oslo. Beginning his fourth trip to the World/Olympic championships with a win in the round of 16 over 2019 61 KG Junior world champion Kaiki Yamaguchi (JPN), Tumur Ochir faced off against Olympian #6 Vazgen Tevanyan of Armenia. Tevanyan had been one of the breakout contenders of the last year, capping off 2020 with an Individual World Cup title over 2019 world bronze medalist #11 Ismail Musukaev (HUN) and beating Olympic runner-up #4 Haji Aliyev (AZE), 70 KG world champ #6 Magomedmurad Gadzhiev (POL), two time World medalist Vladimir Dubov (BUL), 2020 European runner-up Nyurgun Skryabin (BLR) two time World/Olympic champion Vladimir Khinchegashvili (GEO) at the European Olympic qualifier.
Facing the highly lauded Tevanyan, Tumur Ochir completely neutralized the Armenian powerhouse with his powerful righty underhook and over/under bodylock for a 2-1 victory. Facing off against European champion #3 Zagir Shakhiev of the Russian Wrestling Federation, Tumur Ochir took the lead early in the match, stifling the Dagestani 2-0 going into the final minute and a half of the match. Shakhiev, finally freeing himself from the clutches of Tumur Ochir's underhook, shot a clutch sweep single and fought through to finish and transition to a leg lace and take the 4-2 lead with 25 seconds remaining in the match. A charging Tumur Ochir was able to score a clutch go behind with less than 10 seconds remaining in the match to tie the score 4-4, but Shakhiev's higher valued scores (1 takedown and 1 exposure) won him the match over Tumur Ochir's scores (2 passivity points, 1 takedown). The Mongolian coaches were furious and a rightful protest emerged. With cooler heads prevailing, the Mongolian challenge failed and Tumur Ochir was sent to the bronze medal match.
Competing against the unheralded Rohit Rohit of India, Tumur Ochir thrived, putting up an early four-point arm spin and counter to a Rohit takedown, Tumur Ochir led 6-0 at the break. A counter takedown from Rohit cut Tumur Ochir's lead to 6-2 and a failed headlock attempt countered by Rohit made it 6-4. With over a minute and a half left in the match, Tumur Ochir faced the hard-charging Rohit and pulled out a beautiful counter to pancake Rohit to his back and secure the pin for bronze.
Tulga Tumur Ochir was finally able to put together a complete world championships run in Oslo and capitalize on the talent he's shown in the past. While Tumur Ochir's win over #6 Vazgen Tevanyan (ARM) and 4-4 criteria loss to #3 Zagir Shakhiev (RWF) were promising, it's hard to predict how much better the Mongolian standout does this quad in a full-strength lineup, but I am excited at his chances.
8. Turan Bayramov (AZE )- 70 KG world 5th
An age group standout who captured Cadet and U-23 world gold along with a Junior World bronze medal, Turan Bayramov of Azerbaijan has been an elite talent right on the edge of a breakthrough throughout the 2016-2021 quad.
Bayramov's 2021 began in January with him testing himself against the best at the Senior level at the 65 KG Henri Deglane Grand Prix with a bronze medal finish after a loss to #8 James Green (USA). The International Ukrainian Tournament in February would be another bronze medal medal for Bayramov with a victory over U-23 European champion #9 (65) Erik Arushanian (UKR). Bayramov's first Senior-level breakout performance would be at the Senior European Championships, beating 2020 Individual World Cup runner-up #7 Heydar Yavuz (TUR) to make the finals against Russian Nationals champion #2 Israil Kasumov (RWF).
Finishing silver at the Senior European championships, Bayramov made the move back down to Junior's, where he won European gold over Stanislav Novac (MDA). In the midpoint of the year and having been primarily a 65 and 70 KG wrestler, Bayramov was subbed in as a last-second replacement for Khadzhimurad Gadzhiev in the 74 KG Olympics. Up at his third weight class for the year, Bayramov made the Olympic quarterfinals against two-time world champion #4 Frank Chamizo of Italy. Facing off against the elder Chamizo, Bayramov acquainted himself very well against one of the pound-for-pound best, falling by a narrow 3-1 margin to the 74 KG standout.
The second half of Bayramov's year would continue at 74 KG at the Junior world championships. Heavily favored to win gold, Bayramov would fall by stunning upset to #20 Keegan O'Toole (USA) in the quarterfinals. Picking up his second Junior world medal, Bayramov took bronze over Russia's Idar Khatanov (RWF) before making the cut back down to 70 KG for his third World/Olympic championships of the year.
A true ironman, Bayramov started his world championships performance with a career-defining 3-2 victory over 2018 world runner-up Adam Batirov of Bahrain. A spot in the quarterfinals for Bayramov meant a chance at revenge against two-time world medalist #8 James Green (USA). Bayramov looked the part throughout the match, consistently countering Green's head inside single shots with a 2-1 and limp leg to a go behind to take a 6-1 lead with 30 seconds remaining in the match. Green, finally getting his read on how to finish against Bayramov, exploded through for a massive claw knee pick in the final 15 seconds to cut the score to 6-5. Bayramov held off the comeback effort of Green in the last ten seconds of the match to capture his second consecutive win over a world runner-up to make the world semis where he'd face 2017 65 KG world runner-up #6 Magomedmurad Gadzhiev (POL).
What would unfold in Turan Bayramov's next two matches was some of the egregiously terrible judging since the old days of FILA open bribes and match reversals. Late into his semifinal match against #6 Magomedmurad Gadzhiev (POL), Bayramov gets an inside trip on the edge and is taking Gadzhiev down with 30 seconds left on the clock to take the 3-2 lead. That's what was happening, a clear continuation of action for Bayramov, but that wasn't what was on the agenda as the referee called it out of bounds immediately and only awarded a step out to Bayramov. A defensive and retreating Gadzhiev raced away from Bayramov to hold onto a 4-2 victory after a failed challenge from Bayramov's corner.
Falling to the bronze medal match and facing his fourth world finalist of the tournament in 2017 65 KG world champion #15 Zurab Iakobishvili (GEO), Bayramov would end the match with a 3-2 victory off a last-second exposure over Iakobishvili. That was until a Georgian challenge came in. Replaying the action, it was clear Bayramov had exposed Iakobishvili and recovered position after exposing Iakobishvili off his whizzer. Except that wasn't enough, as the judges incorrectly called a takedown for Iakobishvili and stole the win away from Bayramov to the tune of 4-3 for #15 Zurab Iakobishvili (GEO) for world bronze.
Turan Bayramov showed he is ready to contend and win world gold at 70 KG. While he was robbed by poor officiating here, expect to see a revitalized Bayramov on top of the podium moving forward. Losses like that where you're not only wrestling the man across the line but the judges behind the table will only be a learning experience for Bayramov.
9. Toshihiro Hasegawa (JPN) - 61 KG world bronze medalist
A standout for Japan in the loaded 57 KG weight class, a 57 KG U-23 world title at the end of 2018 was the best achievement of Hasegawa's career, pinning Olympic runner-up #2 Ravi Kumar (IND) in the finals. Hasegawa would be stuck behind the likes of past World/Olympic champions Yuki Takahashi and Rei Higuchi at 57 KG before making the move up to 61 KG this year in May to capture the All-Japan championships.
Hasegawa would be put through an absolute meat grinder of a bracket right from the start, opening up against #13 Nico Megerle of Germany, who'd be his first upset victory by way of a 1-1 criteria win. The pressure only continued to rise for Hasegawa as he faced off against Junior world champion #9 Rahman Amouzadkhalili (IRI), who was one of the most dominant light weight age group prospects in this quad and expected by many to run through Hasegawa. Hasegawa kept his composure and stifled the Iranians punishing underhook series with elbow control and used a strong sweep single series to power his way through to a 9-5 upset win. European bronze medalist #7 Eduard Grigorev (POL) would be Hasegawa's final obstacle before the semifinals, and the powerful scrambling of the Japanese standout would earn him a 6-3 win for a semifinals berth against top-ranked Abasgadzhi Magomedov of the Russian Wrestling Federation.
Outmatched against the dominant Russian, Hasegawa would fall to the bronze medal match against 2018 world bronze medalist Tuvshintulga Tumenbileg (MGL). Overcoming a slow 2-0 first period, Hasegawa used a head inside single to a running the pipe finish; Hasegawa transitioned to a beautiful, unorthodox leg lace to take an 8-1 lead. A left-side duck set up a misdirection sweep single for Hasegawa made the lead 10-1 for Hasegawa with a match-ending armbar for the 12-1 tech fall victory and world bronze.
Hasegawa's match IQ and fantastic transitions from his sweep single into par-terre make the Japanese standout a lightweight talent to keep an eye on for this upcoming quad.
10. Alireza Sarlak (IRI) - 57 KG world runner-up
Iran's third-stringer at the end of 2020 behind #4 Reza Atri (IRI) and #9 (61) Rahman Amouzadkhalili (IRI), 2019 U-23 world bronze medalist Alireza Sarlak (IRI) made the most of his first world championships with a runner-up finish at 57 KG.
Beating out D3 All-American Gusseppe Rea (ECU) by 11-0 tech in the round of 16, Sarlak faced off against three-time Russian Nationals bronze medalist #15 Aryan Tyutrin (BLR). Tyutrin, coming off a win over two-time world bronze medalist #14 Erdenebat Bekhbayar (MGL), took a huge 4-1 lead over Sarlak off an uchi mata to take the first period. In the final minute of the period, Sarlak trailed Tyutrin 6-3 before countering another Tyutrin uchi mata with a high crotch and a bent leg Turk to win a 7-6 come-from-behind victory.
Facing off against 2019 world runner-up #9 Suleyman Atli (TUR), Sarlak fell behind the Turkish front runner 6-3 with only a minute left in the match. Pulling together another miraculous upset, Sarlak, a clutch shuck into a gut wrench to win 7-6 over Atli and make the world finals. Against the surging #3 Thomas Gilman of the United States, Sarlak would be unable to use any of his late match heroics to seal the win against Gilman, but a collar tie duck under would keep Sarlak close with the American in a 5-3 loss.
Sarlak's back-to-back last-second upset wins over #15 Aryan Tyutrin (BLR) and #9 Suleyman Atli (TUR) showed that he has the composure and offensive skill set to continue as a world medal contender. The only thing standing in Sarlak's way is being able to make his own team, as #4 Reza Atri (IRI), the 5th place finish at the Tokyo Olympic Games, beat him out for the spot.
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