2019 World bronze medalist Artur Naifonov (Photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com)As of today, we under 50 days from the start of wrestling at the Olympic Games. Over the next 50 days, we'll bring you one profile per day of a decorated international contender. Make sure you get to know the wrestlers that Team USA will compete against in Tokyo.
7/11/21 - Vazgen Tevanyan (Armenia)
7/10/21 - Khadzhimurad Ghadzhiev (Azerbaijan)
7/8/21 - Ali Shabanov (Belarus)
7/7/21 - Gadzhimurad Rashidov (Russia)
7/6/21 - Suleyman Karadeniz (Turkey)
7/5/21 - Frank Chamizo (Italy)
7/3/21 - Yui Susaki (Japan)
7/1/21 - Amir Zare (Iran)
6/28/21 - Zavur Uguev (Russia)
6/27/21 - Zhan Beleniuk (Ukraine)
6/26/21 - Sergey Kozyrev (Russia)
6/24/21 - Kenchiro Fumita (Japan)
6/23/21 - Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (Belarus)
6/22/21 - Erica Wiebe (Canada)
6/21/21 - Myles Amine (San Marino)
6/20/21 - Sofia Mattsson (Sweden)
6/19/21 - Hassan Yazdani Charati (Iran)
6/18/21 - Tamas Lorincz (Hungary)
6/17/21 - Takuro Otoguro (Japan)
6/16/21 - Elizbar Odikadze (Georgia)
6/15/21 - Koumba Larroque (France)
6/14/21 - Haji Aliyev (Azerbaijan)
6/13/21 - Ningning Rong (China)
6/12/21 - Bajrang Punia (India)
6/11/21 - Frank Staebler (Germany)
6/10/21 - Geno Petriashvili (Georgia)
A spectacular run from the end of 2017 through 2018 that saw him take the spot as Russia's uncrowned king at 86 KG, #3 Artur Naifonov has been one of the biggest developments at middleweight throughout the 2016-2020 quad. A world bronze medal in 2019 and Russian Nationals title in 2019 and 2021 have made Naifonov into a fearsome challenger for gold in Tokyo. Today's Olympic profile will look at 2019 world bronze medalist #3 Artur Naifonov of Russia.
The Stats
#3 Artur Naifonov (RUS)- 2019 World bronze medalist, 3x European champion (‘18,'20,'21), 2x Russian Nationals champion (‘19,'21), 2020 Yarygin champion, 2016 Junior Russian Nationals bronze medalist, 2017 Alans champion, 2017 Junior World champion, 2018 U-23 World runner-up, 2018 Yarygin bronze medalist, 2019 Ali Aliev champion, 2019 Ziolkowski champion.
Key Wins: #4 Dauren Kurugliev (2018 Yarygin, 2019 Ali Aliev, 2020 Yarygin, 2021 Russian Nationals finals), Shamil Kudiyamagomedov (2018 Dan Kolov, 2018 European championships), #9 Vladislav Valiev (2017 Alans finals, 2018 Dan Kolov, 2019 Russian Nationals finals), #5 Magomed Ramazanov (2019 Russian Nationals, 2021 Russian Nationals), #12 Myles Amine (2019 World bronze medal match, 2020 European championships, 2021 European championships), #5 (97) Alikhan Zhabrailov (2018 Yarygin), #7 Javrail Shapiev (2019 world championships), #17 Arsenali Musalaliev (2020 Russian Nationals), #11 Zahid Valencia (2017 Junior world finals)
Key Losses: #1 David Taylor (2018 Yarygin), #2 Hassan Yazdani Charati (2019 world championships), Slavik Naniev (2018 Alans), #4 Dauren Kurugliev (2018 Russian Nationals finals, 2020 Russian Nationals finals), Shamil Kudiyamagomedov (2017 Russian Nationals), #14 (92) Soslan Ktsoev (2017 Russian Nationals), #17 Arsenali Musalaliev (2017 Junior Russian Nationals), #2 (92) Kamran Ghasempour (2018 U-23 world finals), Zaur Makiev (2017 Stepan Sargsyan tournament).
2017-2021
After a bronze medal finish at the Junior Russian Nationals behind eventual world champion #17 Arsenali Musalaliev (RUS) in 2016, #3 Artur Naifonov made his senior level debut at the 2017 Yarygin losing in the first round to Ahmed Magamaev (RUS). Naifonov would compete next at Senior Russian Nationals where after a strong 6-1 opening round win over 2016 74 KG Yarygin champion Zaur Makiev (RUS), Next, Naifonov went up against 2016 European champion Shamil Kudiyamagomedov (ITA). Kudiyamagomedov was too much, too soon for Naifonov and Naifonov would be put into repechage from an 11-4 loss to the 2013 national champion. Opening his repechage run, Naifonov beat 2016 Russian Nationals runner-up Alexander Zelenkov (RUS) to move onto the second round where he'd face 2010 world bronze medalist #14 (92) Soslan Ktsoev (RUS). The veteran savvy of Ktsoev would carry him to a 5-3 win over the North Ossetian and end Naifonov's first Senior Russian Nationals with a 2-2 record.
After having competed at the Senior level for the majority of 2017, Naifonov made his return to Junior's in August for the Junior World Championships. Having proven himself capable of going against the best at the Senior level Russia had to offer, Naifonov was ready to tear through the Junior world bracket. Naifonov made light work of returning Junior world runner-ups Ahmad Bazrigaleh (IRI) and Osman Gocen (TUR) to make the finals where he faced off against #11 Zahid Valencia (USA). Valencia, the top seed at the 174 LB NCAA championships, had fallen in the semifinals to 2016 Junior world champion Mark Hall (USA) and came back to take bronze. Naifonov and Zahid were clearly the class of the weight and their finals match showed it with both men having their moments in the match but ultimately Naifonov coming away with a heart pounding 7-5 victory for the world title.
Coming off the conquest of the Junior World Championships, Naifonov made his return back to the Senior level for the Stepan Sargsyan tournament in October winning gold over #4 (92) Batyrbek Tsakulov (RUS). Later in the month, Naifonov competed at the Ugra Cup, where he'd take bronze after an upset loss to Zaur Makiev. A prospect to watch, Naifonov went into a loaded field at the Alans that had World bronze medalist #9 Vladislav Valiev (RUS) and European runner-up Alexander Gostiev (AZE). Naifonov had beaten Gostiev 4-4 on criteria earlier in November at the Alrosa Cup, but Valiev was seen as a major test for Naifonov as the reigning national champion and world bronze medalist for Russia. Winning wasn't an issue, Naifonov didn't just win, he shined. Tsakulov, Alexander Gostiev (AZE) both went down to Naifonov on his way to the finals. Going against the #1 in Russia in Valiev (RUS), Naifonov stood strong and came away with a 1-1 win on criteria and cemented himself as Russia's #1, after having not placed at Nationals earlier in the year.
2018 began with Naifonov returning to the Yarygin, now Russia's uncrowned king at 86 KG. U-23 world champion #5 (97) Alikhan Zhabrailov (RUS) would be Naifonov's opening round match, and the Chechen would push Naifonov, but ultimately fall 3-0, as Naifonov moved onto the Round of 16. Zushen Lin (CHN) was a layup for Naifonov as he won 10-0 to make the quarterfinals against 2017 European champion #4 Dauren Kurugliev (RUS). In what would be the beginning of a long ongoing rivalry between the two, Naifonov would take match one 3-2 off a clutch single leg takedown. Now in the semifinals, Naifonov faced off against American standout #1 David Taylor, who was on a warpath. Having had beaten three-time World/Olympic medalist #5 (92) Selim Yasar (TUR) the match prior and been the favorite to win world's in 2017 before being upset domestically by #11 (92) J'den Cox (USA), Taylor was hell bent on winning gold. While Naifonov would strike first with an arm drag and a high gut to take a 4-0 lead over the American, Taylor answered back with a high crotch takedown and exposure to take the 4-4 lead. Late in the first, Taylor shot in on an ankle pick and Naifonov defended with Taylor transitioning to an underhook and throwing a leg in for the takedown and 6-4 lead and went to work on an arm bar from top. Taylor wretched and cranked Naifonov all over the mat and up 14-4 sealed the match win with a pin to make the finals. Now in the bronze medal match, Naifonov would win a close 2-1 win over 2015 Pan-Am champion Yurieski Torreblanca (CUB).
Sent to the Dan Kolov, alongside returning world bronze medalist Valiev (RUS), to decide who would represent Russia at the European championships, Naifonov would have a chance at further solidifying himself as Russia's top 86 and get a chance at revenge as well. 2016 European champion Shamil Kudiyamagomedov had made the transfer to Italy and was entered in the field at the Dan Kolov in his field for his debut for Italy. Naifonov's defeat to Kudiyamagomedov was fresh in his mind, but first he'd have to get past his opener against Vladislav Valiev. Extending the gap from their 2017 Alans finals match, Naifonov beat the returning world bronze medalist 3-2 to move on to the Round of 16, where he beat Ahmet Bilici (TUR). Now in the quarterfinals, Naifonov would get his chance at revenge against Kudiyamagomedov and it was clear that Naifonov had jumped levels since their encounter last year, beating Kudiyamagomedov 5-4 to avenge his 11-4 loss from 2017 Russian Nationals. Naifonov won gold in the finals over two-time Russian Nationals medalist Taimuraz Friev Naskideava (ESP).
Winning the Dan Kolov qualified Naifonov to be Russia's representative for the European Championships in Dagestan. Competing in a loaded field, Naifonov put together wins over 2013 World bronze medalist Istvan Vereb (HUN), 2016 Olympian #7 (92) Zbigniew Baranowski (POL), Shamil Kudiyamagomedov (ITA), and Yarygin runner-up Fatih Erdin (TUR) to make the finals. Facing returning European runner-up Alexander Gostiev (AZE), Naifonov would take a 1-1 win on criteria for his first European championship.
Having now won the Dan Kolov and the European Championship, Naifonov was the favorite going into the Russian Nationals. Naifonov looked the part as he beat Alik Shebzukov (RUS) and Zelimkhan Minkailov (RUS) to make the finals opposite #4 Dauren Kurugliev (RUS). In a rematch from the 2017 Yarygin, Kurugliev would be the one to come away with gold after a passivity point and pushout against Naifonov won him the match 2-1. While not the result he wanted, at only 21 years old and having been the #1 in Russia leading up to Russian Nationals, the progress Naifonov had made in only a year's time meant that Russian Nationals gold and a world medal would be in his future.
Competing up at the new non Olympic weight class of 92 KG, Naifonov beat 92 KG Russian Nationals runner-up #5 (92) Anzor Urishev (RUS) to win gold at the Dmitri Korkin tournament. Now back down at 86 KG, Naifonov would wrestle at the U-23 World Championships where he would tech fall his way through to the finals, including an impressive win over Yasar Dogu runner-up Murad Suleymanov (AZE). In the finals, Naifonov would face International Ukrainian Tournament champion #2 (92) Kamran Ghasempour (IRI). Ghasempour shut down Naifonov's outside step shots and walked away with U-23 world gold after a 4-1 victory.
Concluding 2018 at the Alans looking to win his second consecutive title, Naifonov was shockingly upset by 2015 69 KG Cadet World runner-up Slavik Naniev (RUS) who went on to take bronze. After having climbed so high at the end of 2017 and through early 2018, Naifonov was having to put himself together again going into 2019 after domestic losses at Russian Nationals and Alans put into question whether he could take the spot in 2019.
Naifonov would make his 2019 debut in May at the Ali Aliev. Putting together an exceptional run, Naifonov beat the likes of #7 Javrail Shapiev (UZB), 2020 European bronze medalist Rasul Tikhaev (BLR) and returning Russian Nationals champion Kurugliev for gold. Back on top domestically, Naifonov would go to Russian Nationals looking for his first national title.
Notably absent from the field was returning champion Kurugliev and the reason for this is that those selected as the European Games reps at the Olympic weights (57,65,74,86,97,125) were exempt from competing at the Russian Nationals championships as the European Games (last week of June) was a scheduling conflict with the Russian Nationals championships (week of 4th of July). The arrangement would be that champions of the Russian Nationals championships would wrestle the European Games representatives at the Russian Nationals training camp or they would compete at an international event against each other and international competition to see who'd be a better pick. What would happen between Naifonov and Kurugliev would be the latter option.
Back at Russian Nationals, Naifonov looked powerful throughout the competition with dominating wins over #5 Magomed Ramazanov (RUS), #14 Soslan Ktsoev (RUS), and Valiev for his first Russian Nationals title. With Naifonov winning Russian Nationals and Kurugliev winning the European Games, both men were slated to compete at the Ziolkowski to decide who would go to the world championships. Russia had used the Ziolkowski in 2018 to decide who would go to the world championships at 61 and 65 between #1 (65) Gadzhimurad Rashidov (RUS) and Magomedrasul Idrisov (RUS) and #13 (65) Akhmed Chakaev (RUS) and #11 (65) Ilyas Bekbulatov (UZB). Rashidov and Bekbulatov were the reps and took silver and bronze at 61 and 65. As the brackets were laid out, Naifonov and Kurugliev were to meet in the finals with Naifonov keeping his end of the bargain with wins over returning world runner-up Fatih Erdin (TUR), Adilet Davlumbaev (KAZ) and #20 (92) Radoslaw Marcinkiewicz (POL). Kurugliev would not do the same as in the semifinals against 92 KG European runner-up #7 (92) Zbigniew Baranowski (POL), he'd fall to a late takedown from the Pole to lose 3-1. Naifonov beat Baranowski 4-1 in the finals while Kurugliev won gold 1-1 over #6 (92) Selim Yasar (TUR) and Naifonov was now the rep for Russia going into the World Championships.
Making his Senior World Championships debut, Naifonov made the quarterfinals with wins over Ville Heino (FIN), European runner-up Piotr Ianulov (MDA) and Shapiev to get the chance to face two-time World/Olympic champion #2 Hassan Yazdani Charati (IRI). Rarely outpowered, the pressure of Yazdani was able to break Naifonov and a costly tactical error from a counter to a Yazdani underhook cost Naifonov the match by pin. With Yazdani tech falling European Games bronze medalist #12 Myles Amine (SMR) 11-0 in the semifinals, Naifonov was pulled into repechage tech falling 2017 European bronze medalist Istvan Vereb (HUN) 11-1 to make the bronze medal match. In what would become the beginning of their trilogy of matches, Naifonov would shut out #12 Myles Amine (SMR) for the world bronze medal. Concluding the year at the World Military Games, Naifonov won gold over 2019 European Games bronze medalist Akhmed Dudarov (GER).
Naifonov's abbreviated 2020 season began with his third Yarygin where he won gold beating Russian Nationals medalists #17 Arsenali Musalaliev (RUS) and Kurugliev 2-1 in the finals. Going into Russian Nationals, even with how close the scores were for Naifonov and Kurugliev in their matches, Naifonov was rightfully picked as the favorite to win his second national title after three wins over Kurugliev from 2019 Ali Aliev, 2019 Russian Nationals and the 2020 Yarygin. #8 Magomedsharif Biyakaev (RUS) and Musalaliev would be those that would fall to Naifonov to make his third Russian Nationals finals match opposite Kurugliev. In one of the most evenly matched matches of the Russian Nationals championships he was able to repeat his winning effort in 2018 over Naifonov with a shot clock violation point and a stepout for a 2-1 win and his second Russian National title.
With the Olympics being postponed to 2021, the loss to Kurugliev, while not optimal, didn't really hurt Naifonov too much and he still would have a chance to win back the spot for 2021. Naifonov's 2021 campaign began in March at the Russian Nationals championships where after surviving a semifinal upset scare from #5 Magomed Ramazanov (RUS) 10-8 to get his chance at revenge against Kurugliev. As had been the case for their last three matches, it would come down to a shot clock point and a step out which this time went in favor of Naifonov for the 2-1 victory and his second Russian Nationals title. At his final competition before the Olympics, Naifonov won the European championships in April with wins over #12 Myles Amine (SMR), #20 Sebastian Jezierzanski (POL), and #18 Sandro Aminashvili (GEO).
From his domestic battles against Dauren Kurugliev, Magomed Ramazanov and Vladislav Valiev to his losses to #1 David Taylor (USA) and #2 Hassan Yazdani Charati (IRI) is a true veteran at 86 KG.
Having cemented himself as the #3 man behind Taylor and Yazdani Charati, #3 Artur Naifonov (RUS) is a strong medal contender in Tokyo and in the future looks to be in the running for world gold if Taylor and Yazdani are to retire or move up in weight.
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