Two-time U23 World Champion Reineri Andreu Ortega (Photo/Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com)The past quad has seen a slew of brand new contenders emerge and a changing of the guard. New pound-for-pound talents asserted themselves to the forefront of the deepest weight classes in wrestling in the form of Zaurbek Sidakov, Gadzhimurad Rashidov, and Zavur Uguev at 74, 65, and 57 kilograms. Battle-tested veterans Kyle Dake and J'den Cox dominated with the emergence of the 79 and 92-kilogram weight classes starting in 2018. Abdulrashid Sadulaev and Geno Petriashvili showed unparalleled dominance, winning three straight world titles at 97 and 125 KG. Young contenders ascended to world gold in David Baev, Vazgen Tevanyan, Abasgadzhi Magomedov, and Takuto Otoguro.
The past four years have seen a great slew of athletes have spectacular performances. But after every quad, the Olympics decides who is the true cream of the crop. To qualify for the Olympics, an athlete must be a top-six placer in the Olympic weights at the 2019 world championships (57,65,74,86,97,125) or make the finals at one of the four qualifiers held (World, Asian, European, and African & Oceania). To even qualify for the Olympics is a monumental task and in this article, we're going to see who were the best athletes not to qualify.
57 KG
#10 Reineri Andreu Ortega (CUB)- 2x U-23 world champion (2017 & 2019), 2018 Pan-Am champion, 2018 world 5th.
Reineri Andreu Ortega became a breakout star for Cuba after winning a loaded field that included #2 Suleyman Atli (TUR), world bronze medalist Andrey Yatsenko (UKR) and Junior world champion Daton Fix (USA) at the 2017 U-23 world championships. But the next three years of results would be rather tumultuous for the talented Cuban, winning his sole Pan-Am title in 2018 along with a bronze medal at the prestigious Ali Aliyev tournament and another U-23 world title in 2019. Over the span of 2018 to 2020, Andreu Ortega notched incredibly impressive wins over the likes of #11 Yuki Takahashi (JPN), Giorgi Edisherashvili (AZE), #19 Thomas Gilman (USA), Ramiz Gamzatov (RUS), #18 Afghan Khasalov (AZE), #14 Gulomjon Abdullaev (UZB), and #12 (61) Adlan Askarov (KAZ).
But during the same period of time, Andreu Ortega had poor showings at the '18 and '19 World Cups going 2-5 in total, was upset at the '18 U-23 world championships by Wanhao Zou (CHN) and failed to capture Pan-Am gold in 2019 with losses to Josh Rodriguez (USA) and Daton Fix (USA) at the Pan-Am championships and Pan-Am Games. He also failed to qualify Cuba at the 2020 Pan-Am qualifier after losing to #19 Thomas Gilman (USA). Andreu Ortega's performance at the world qualifier saw him notch a decisive win over 2014 world bronze medalist Vladislav Andreev (BLR) on his way to their semis, where he would have his fourth match against #11 Yuki Takahashi (JPN). Takahashi led the series 2-1 with wins at the 2018 World Cup and World Championships. Andreu Ortega's lone victory came at the 2019 World Cup. Takahashi would add another win over the talented Cuban by way of a 2-0 decision and dash Andreu Ortega's chances of competing in Tokyo.
2018 61 KG world champion Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez took 5th for Cuba at the 2016 Olympics. Andreu Ortega beat Bonne Rodriguez 8-4 in January 2020 in a dual meet between Germania Weingarten and ASV Nendingen in the German Club League. Neither talent will be featured in the 57 KG in Tokyo as Cuba looks for answers.
Giorgi Edisherashvili (AZE)- 3x European champion (2013, 2017, 2018), 2018 world representative.
Edisherashvili has had a strong, if inconsistent history over the last four years competing for Azerbaijan after transferring from Georgia in 2016. A pair of European titles from 2017 and 2018 coupled with a world championships appearance in 2018 saw Edisherashvili notch impressive wins over the likes of #1 Zavur Uguev (RUS), #10 Reineri Andreu Ortega (CUB), #18 Afghan Khasalov (AZE), and #19 Thomas Gilman (USA). After Henri Deglane Grand Prix runner-up Islam Bazarganov failed to qualify Azerbaijan at the European qualifier, Edisherashvili was selected as the representative for the world qualifier. Edisherashvili was able to get strong wins over Otari Gogava, Muhammad Bilal, and Muhammad Ikromov but was downed in the semis by two-time world medalist #13 Bekhbayar Erdenebat of Mongolia 6-2.
Andrey Yatsenko (UKR)- 2017 world bronze medalist, 2020 Individual World Cup bronze medalist, 2019 U-23 European champion
A young talent that turned heads when at only 18 years old he made the finals of the Senior European championships, Andrey Yatsenko is a true veteran at only 23 years old. At his first Olympic qualifier in 2016, Yatsenko finished in fourth place behind Ivan Guidea, Mirjalal Hasanzade, and Sandeep Tomar. Yatsenko's premier achievement is his bronze medal at the 2017 World Championships where, after an opening-round loss to world silver medalist #19 Thomas Gilman (USA), he rebounded in the repechage bracket with wins over #12 Reza Atri (IRI), #15 Nodirjon Safarov (UZB) and 2014 Asian Games champion Hak Jin Jong (PRK).
Yatsenko's red hot start to his career cooled off significantly from 2018-2020 as he was runner-up at the Tbilisi GP in 2018 to #2 Suleyman Atli (TUR), but was not selected to compete at the Senior European or World Championships that year as Armen Arakelian was the rep. 2019 saw Yatsenko return to prominence for Ukraine as he won the U-23 European championships over Russia's Amirkhan Guvazhokov. Yatsenko's return to the Senior World Championships would see him lose to 2018 Asian Games runner-up Kumsong Kang (PRK) in the Round of 32, 12-6. Yatsenko won his second world medal over Stevan Micic (SRB) in the bronze medal match of the 2020 Individual World Cup.
Competing at the European qualifier, Yatsenko was tech falled in the semifinals by 2019 61 KG European champion Arsen Harutyunyan (ARM). Taking bronze by injury default over 2019 Dan Kolov champion Beka Bujiashvili (GEO), Yatsenko was replaced by Taras Markovych for the World qualifier, who was tech falled 14-0 in the round of 16 by #13 Bekhbayar Erdenebat (MGL).
65 KG
#10 Ilyas Bekbulatov (UZB)- 2015 Russian National champion, 4x Yarygin champion ('13,'15,'17,'18), 2017 European champion, 2020 70 KG Asian champion
Ilyas Bekbulatov has a resume that boasts top finishes at elite tournaments and wins over world-class competition that rival that of World and Olympic champions. Four Yarygin titles, a 2015 Russian Nationals title, a 2017 European title, a 2020 70 KG Asian championship. Wins over #4 (74) Frank Chamizo (ITA), #7 (74) Khetik Tsabolov (SRB), #9 (74) Magomed Kurbanaliev (RUS), #5 Haji Aliyev (AZE), #11 David Baev (RUS), #13 Akhmed Chakaev (RUS), #14 Naachyn Kuular (RUS), 2016 Olympic champion Soslan Ramonov (RUS). But the one thing that has evaded Bekbulatov his entire career has been making a World or Olympic team.
A loss at the 2015 European Games to Togrul Asgarov (AZE) made the Russian coaches replace him at world's with Soslan Ramonov. Injuries in 2016 and 2017, plus another right before the 2018 Russian Nationals sidelined him. Bekbulatov then failed to compete at the Ziolkowski against #13 Akhmed Chakaev (RUS) to qualify for the world team spot. Next was a shocking upset loss in 2019 at nationals to eventual bronze medalist Julian Gergenov (RUS). He then transferred to Uzbekistan and won an Asian championships title in 2020, but the Olympics are postponed for another year and Ilyas still had to qualify.
A year has passed and Ilyas Bekbulatov makes the semifinals of the Asian qualifier opposite International Ukrainian Tournament runner-up Ernazar Akhmataliev of Kyrgyzstan. Leading 8-0 and about to seal the tech fall win and punch his ticket to Tokyo, a shot fake from Bekbulatov was countered with a powerful underhook whipover by Akhmataliev and Bekbulatov fighting through it gets in on an attack trying to regain momentum and leaves himself open and gets chin whipped. As Akhmataliev readjusted his position and Bekbulatov fought from the bottom, clinging onto his chance to make the Olympics, but the referee called the pin. An elated Akhmataliev rushes over to his coaches in pure ecstasy while Bekbulatov laid flat on his back on the mat in disbelief. Slated to compete at the World qualifier, Bekbulatov failed to make weight and for the sixth year in a row, as a heavy favorite to qualify and medal, he came up short on making a team.
Vladimer Khinchegashvili (GEO)- 2012 55 KG Olympic runner-up, 2015 57 KG world champion, 2016 57 KG world champion, 3x European champion ('14,'16,'17), 2017 61 KG world bronze.
Vladimer Khinchegashvili has been one of the icons of the lightweight classes since his Senior-level career began in 2010 at 18 years old. Khinchegashvili boasts back-to-back World/Olympic titles in 2015 and 2016, five World/Olympic medals from 2012-2017, three European titles in 2014, 2016, and 2017 and a pair of Junior world titles in 2010 and 2011. Elite wins over the likes #1 Gadzhimurad Rashidov (RUS), #2 (57) Suleyman Atli (TUR), #5 Haji Aliyev (AZE), #5 (61) Akhmednabi Gvarzatilov (AZE), #9 (57) Rei Higuchi (JPN), #13 Akhmed Chakaev (RUS), 3x European champion Cengizhan Erdogan (TUR) and 2016 world champion Logan Stieber (USA).
Khinchegashvili is a true veteran at 30 years old and has been through three quads and faced the best talent across 57, 61, and 65 KG. Although he is in the twilight years of his exceptional career, Khinchegashvili is still a threat and came so close to making his third straight Olympics at the European qualifier. Facing off against 2020 Individual World Cup champion #2 Vazgen Tevanyan of Armenia, Khinchegashvili came back from an early deficit to tighten the score but fell 6-4 to Tevanyan. Khinchegashvili was replaced by Beka Lomtadze for the World qualifier because of a positive COVID-19 test and it will be interesting to see what lies next for the Georgian legend and if he prepares for another quad or calls it on a historic career.
#16 Jordan Oliver (USA)- 2019 Dan Kolov runner-up, 2020 Matteo Pellicone runner-up, 2021 Olympic Trials champion
The heir apparent to domestic kingpin Brent Metcalf from 2012-2016, #16 Jordan Oliver has always been an athlete wrestling fans have seen as someone with the potential to break through and be a serious World/Olympic medal contender. Even though he had never made a World/Olympic team, Oliver had the wins to prove he could compete with and beat the best in the world with victories over Brent Metcalf (USA), #17 Joey McKenna (USA), #18 Nick Lee (USA), #19 Zain Retherford (USA), #20 Yianni Diakomihalis (USA), 2016 65 KG Olympic runner-up Togrul Asgarov (AZE) and two-time world medalist Bekzod Abdurakhmanov (UZB).
In winning the Olympic trials over #17 Joey McKenna (USA), #16 Jordan Oliver was finally able to make his Senior world team and get the chance to qualify the United States for the Olympic Games. Competing at the World qualifier, Oliver made the semis opposite two-time World medalist #15 Magomedmurad Gadzhiev (POL), a strategic and defensively stingy wrestler renowned for slowing down matches. Gadzhiev would take early control of the bout, holding the center of the mat and scoring two pushouts to take a 2-0 lead. Gadzhiev was able to stalemate Oliver's offense going into the second period and earn a passivity point to go up 3-0 on Oliver. With a minute left, Oliver pulled the trigger on his offense and cut the score to 3-2. But a late charge from Oliver was held off by a rock-solid Gadzhiev and Oliver lost 3-2.
What the future holds for Jordan Oliver is yet to be seen, but wrestling better than ever, Oliver should be considered a strong contender to medal at the Non-Olympic world championships this year if he chooses to compete at them.
74 KG
#3 Taimuraz Salkazanov (SVK)- 2018 70 KG U-23 world champion, 2019 79 KG world bronze medalist, 2020 Individual World Cup bronze medalist, 2021 European champion
Since his first breakthrough win at the 2017 70 KG Miner's Cup tournament over #2 (70) Evgheni Zherbaev (RUS), #3 Taimuraz Salkazanov (SVK) has been a premier middleweight talent. But while he had the resume of a top 5 talent at 70 KG, with wins over #2 (70) Evgheni Zherbaev (RUS), 2019 70 KG world champ #11 (65) David Baev (RUS) and 2019 world bronze medalist Younes Emami (IRI), he didn't really have a huge namesake tournament or big win at 74 KG.
After a disappointing finish earlier this year at the European qualifier where he was pinned in his second-round match by #17 Alipasha Umarpashaev (BUL), Salkazanov was slated to compete in a loaded field at the European championships against the likes of two-time world champion Frank Chamizo (ITA), 2020 Individual World Cup champion Razambek Zhamalov (RUS), 2018 world runner-up Avtandil Kentchadze (GEO) and 2020 Russian Nationals runner-up Khetag Tsabolov (SRB). Salkazanov showed he was the bad draw as the North Ossetian put together the best tournament of his life, beating Daniel Sartakov, #5 Frank Chamizo, #10 Avtandil Kentchadze (GEO), #2 Razambek Zhamalov (RUS) and Miroslav Kirov (BUL), to go from unranked to #3 in the world.
Fresh off the momentum of his success at the European championships, Salkazanov was the hottest commodity in the world at 74 KG and a legitimate threat to win gold in Tokyo; all he had to do was qualify. But so did #18 Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (BLR) and as fate (random draw) would have it, they would meet in the semifinals. Kadimagomedov had looked in fine form throughout the tournament, beating two-time World/Olympic medalist Soner Demirtas (TUR) 8-4 in the quarterfinals after Demirtas had upset #7 Khetag Tsabolov (SRB) 8-3 in the round of 16.
Kadimagomedov had impressive wins in the past, as expected of someone with a 2017 70 KG Russian Nationals title to his name. Wins over the likes of #1 Zaurbek Sidakov (RUS), #7 Khetik Tsabolov (SRB), #10 Timur Bizhoev (RUS), #11 Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov (RUS) and #5 (86) Magomed Ramazanov (RUS). Kadimagomedov excels on the counter and thrives against athletes who try to wear out their opponents in ties. There was no better example of this than his absolute shellacking of then top-ranked #5 (86) Magomed Ramazanov (RUS) in the 2020 79 KG European championships. Kadimagomedov ducked Ramazanov twice, exposed him twice and iced the match off with a go behind to win 10-3. That match against Ramazanov was an omen of things to come in his match against Taimuraz Salkazanov.
Salkazanov would hold a 1-0 lead going through most of the first period until, with a minute left, Kadimagomedov got in on a low single. Kadimagomedov was patient in coming out the back door and fighting against the athleticism of Salkazanov and finished to go up 2-1 to end the period. In the second period, Kadimagomedov began to time the pressure of Salkazanov's shallow underhooks he uses to control the positioning of his opponent. Kadimagomedov took one of Salkazanov's biggest weapons and used it against him, timing an overhook throwby to go up 4-1. Salkazanov down 4-1 with under 2 minutes to go against a defensively crafty opponent in Kadimagomedov rushed into a double leg and Kadimagomedov showcasing freakish athleticism adjusted from being sat on his butt, to controlling Salkazanov with a chest wrap on one leg, to taking Salkazanov through for four. Another overhook throwby chained into an underhook throwby by Kadimagomedov put him up 10-3 on Salkazanov. A final overhook throwby cemented the 12-3 win for Kadimagomedov as he dismantled Salkazanov to qualify for the Olympics.
Salkazanov failing to qualify for the Olympics doesn't mean that his days as an elite medal contender are over. He's the man to beat come time for the Non-Olympic world championships in October, potentially against the likes of #5 Razambek Zhamalov (RUS). #7 Khetik Tsabolov (SRB) and #8 Jordan Burroughs (USA).
#7 Khetik Tsabolov (SRB)- 2014 70 KG world champion, 2017 world runner-up, 2x Russian Nationals champion ('14 & '17), 3x Russian Nationals runner-up ('18,'19,'20).
When news of Khetag Tsabolov's transfer to Serbia broke through earlier this year, the international wrestling community was put on alert. Tsabolov had just come off an exceptional run at Russian Nationals where he had upset returning two-time world champion #1 Zaurbek Sidakov (RUS) and avenged his 2019 National finals loss to #9 Magomed Kurbanaliev (RUS) to make his fifth Russian Nationals finals, falling 5-1 to #5 Razambek Zhamalov (RUS) for his third straight runner-up finish. It was clear that while Tsabolov was a clear World/Olympic title threat, he would not have the chance to win them being the consensus number two in Russia.
Tsabolov's debut at the European championships donning the Serbian singlet would be against 2018 world runner-up Avtandil Kentchadze (GEO). Kentchadze's aggression and leg attacks won him an 8-1 lead over a flat-footed Tsabolov halfway through the second. Tsabolov retaliated with a head outside single and two laces to cut the score to 8-7 and look to secure the comeback. A late go behind off a duck attempt from Tsabolov secured Kentchadze the 10-7 win and Kentchadze's quarterfinal loss to #3 Taimuraz Salkazanov (SVK) eliminated Tsabolov from competition.
Tsabolov's performance at the World qualifier started out strong with an 11-0 tech fall win over Nestor Taffur (COL). The Round of 16 saw Tsabolov matched up against two-time World/Olympic medalist Soner Demirtas (TUR), who he had teched in 2017 at the world championships. Tsabolov had a strong 3-0 lead at the end of the first, but wilted under the pressure of Demirtas in the second period to fall 8-3 and fail to qualify for the Olympics.
Tsabolov's chances at a third world medal and a second gold aren't completely dashed. Tsabolov, along with #3 Taimuraz Salkazanov (SVK), #5 Razambek Zhamalov (RUS) and #8 Jordan Burroughs (USA), all will have the ability to get a second chance to take home hardware at the Non-Olympic world championships in October.
Arsalan Budazhapov (KGZ)- 2020 79 KG Asian champion, 2x President Cup of Buryatia champion (2018 & 2019), 2x Kunaev champion (2016 & 2018), 3x Mongolia Open champion (2015, 2018 & 2019)
The true definition of a hidden gem while competing for Russia, Arsalan Budazhapov consistently ranked as one of the toughest Russian domestic hammers that could challenge and take out the best his country had to offer. When he transferred to compete for Kyrgyzstan in 2020, Budazhapov was one of the guys I had my eyes on as a dark horse contender at the Worlds and Olympics. Domestically, Budazhapov boasted wins over the likes of #1 (70) Israil Kasumov (RUS), #2 (70) Evgheni Zherbaev (RUS), #7 Khetik Tsabolov (SRB) and #11 Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov (RUS). Internationally, Budazhapov's best wins are over the likes of multiple-time world medalists #14 (86) Ali Shabanov (BLR) and Mandakhnaran Ganzorig (MGL).
Starting 2021 off at the International Ukrainian Tournament in February, Budazhapov failed to place due to losses to Soner Demirtas (TUR) and Arman Andreasyan (ARM). But the Budazhapov that would compete at the World qualifier would showcase what had made him one of Russia's best-kept secrets. Falling in his opening round match 5-1 to eventual champion #18 Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (BLR), Budazhapov was pulled into repechage and faced off against Soner Demirtas (TUR), who had beaten him in February and was fresh off an upset win over #7 Khetik Tsabolov (SRB)
Budazhapov looked in exceptional form throughout the bout, scoring a double leg late in the first period to take a 2-1 lead going into the second. Demirtas' pressure was successful for him early in the second period, converting off an underhook throwby to lead 3-2 with 2 minutes left in the match. A counter to an overeager Demirtas go-behind scored Budazhapov the 4-3 lead with less than a minute left. A double leg for a stepout put Budazhapov up 5-3 with 30 seconds left. With less than 10 seconds left in the match, Budazhapov iced his win with another double to move onto the bronze medal match against #3 Taimuraz Salkazanov (SVK) off a 7-3 decision. Against a controlling third-ranked Taimuraz Salkazanov (SVK), Budazhapov was able to get off consistent offense and fell 5-2 to the European champion to finish 5th.
Budazhapov is still young enough to make another quad at only 27 years old and given more time to matriculate competing for a rising Kyrgyzstan team; I can see him rounding out to become a legitimate world medal threat in the upcoming years.
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