2019 World Champion Gadzhimurad Rashidov (Photo/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.
7/7/21 - Suleyman Karadeniz (Turkey)
7/6/21 - 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)
Twice a world runner-up at 61 KG, #1 Gadzhimurad Rashidov of Russia has jumped levels to an entirely new echelon of the elite from his move up to 65 KG. Three straight Russian National titles, a world championship and wins over #3 Zagir Shakhiev (RUS), #4 Ismail Musukaev (HUN), #5 Takuto Otoguro (JPN), #6 Haji Aliyev (AZE), #9 Abdulmazhid Kudiev (RUS) and #10 Murshid Mutalimov (RUS) has skyrocketed Rashidov to the number three spot in the pound for pound rankings. As the favorite to win gold in a loaded field in Tokyo, Rashidov truly has the makings of a defining generational talent. In today's Olympic profile, we will look at the rise of 2019 65 KG world champion #1 Gadzhimurad Rashidov of Russia.
The Stats
#1 Gadzhimurad Rashidov (RUS)- 2x Cadet world champion ('11 at 50 KG, '12 at 54 KG), 2015 61 KG Russian Nationals bronze medalist, 2x 61 KG world runner-up ('17 & '18), 2x European champ ('16 & '18), 2018 Yarygin champ, 2018 Ziolkowski champ, 4x Russian Nationals champion ('17, '19, '20, '21), 2019 65 KG world champion.
Key Wins: #3 Zagir Shakhiev (2021 65 KG Russian Nationals finals), #4 Ismail Musukaev (2018 61 KG Yarygin finals, 2019 world champion), #5 Takuto Otoguro (2019 65 KG world championships), #6 Haji Aliyev (2019 65 KG world championships), #17 Nachyn Kuular (2019 Russian nationals finals), #13 Akhmed Chakaev (2017 61 KG Russian nationals semis, 2020 65 KG Russian Nationals finals ), #14 Daulet Niyazbekov (2019 65 KG world finals) Daichi Takatani (2019 world cup), Vladimir Khinchegashvili (2017 world quarters), Logan Stieber (2017 world's Round of 16), Alexander Bogomoev (2018 Yarygin), Magomedrasul Idrisov (2018 61 KG Ziolkowski)
Key Losses: #13 Akhmed Chakaev (2017 & 2019 Yarygin), #6 Haji Aliev (2017 61 KG world finals), Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez (2018 61 KG world finals), Alexander Bogomoev ( 2015 61 KG Ivan Yarygin Memorial, 2015 61 KG Russian Nationals, 2016 57 KG Ivan Yarygin Memorial)
2011-2016
Gadzhimurad Rashidov's career would begin with back-to-back Cadet titles from 2011 and 2012 at 50 and 54 KG. In his 2011 final, Rashidov would face off against future 3x World/Olympic champion #2 (86) Hassan Yazdani Charati of Iran. Arguably the best upperweight hand fighter in the whole world, who terrorizes the most elite of 86 KG, Yazdani had yet to grow into his considerable frame and refine the skillset that would make him a legend in his own right. The more compact Rashidov tactfully countered the Iranian to dominate 6-2, and 5-0 scores across two periods for his first world gold. 2012 would be a far less credentialed field for Rashidov and he would win his second Cadet World title over Abhisek Mann of India.
Rashidov's Senior-level debut would take place at the end of 2017, when at, only the age of 17, he won a bronze medal at the prestigious Ali Aliyev tournament behind Russian Nationals medalists Artem Gebek (RUS) and #4 Ismail Musukaev (HUN).
Rashidov would not make his return to international competition until May 2014 up at 61 KG, again at the Ali Aliyev but was unable to replicate his early success from 2012 and failed to place after a loss to Rustam Abdurashidov (RUS). At 18 years old and going into his first Junior World Championships, Rashidov would begin one of his early defining rivalries, this time in the form of Iman Sadeghikoukandeh of Iran. Rashidov, already a proven Senior level commodity, could not match the Iranian who cemented himself in the place of countless highlight reels with a jaw-dropping backflip counter of a Rashidov single leg. Rebounding from his 7-3 semifinal loss to Sadeghikoukandeh, Rashidov took bronze by 10-0 tech fall over Ivan Bileichuk of Ukraine.
Only 19 years old, Rashidov would compete for the first time at the legendary Ivan Yarygin Memorial. The unofficial Russian Nationals before Russian Nationals, the Yarygin fielded brackets so deep with Russian talent they boasted greater talent than the world and Olympic championships. In his inaugural showing, Rashidov made the quarterfinals against returning Russian Nationals champion Alexander Bogomoev. The king without a crown at 61 KG, Bogomoev had carved out an intimidating resume of domestic dominance at the time of their match and, as the favorite going into the 2014 World Championships, was upset by Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez of Cuba. While Rashidov was talented, Bogomoev was a star. 3-0 would be the margin of victory for the talented Buryat wrestler over Rashidov, but Rashidov was given a chance at repechage after Bogomoev won 8-2 over 2012 55 KG Olympic champion Dzhamal Otarsultanov (RUS). Showing himself to be right there with the best, Rashidov would ultimately fall 8-6 to Otarsultanov and finish fifth at his first Yarygin. A bronze medal at Senior Russian Nationals after another loss to Bogomoev would be Rashidov's penultimate competition before competing at his second Junior World Championships. Even showing himself capable of pushing consensus Senior level top talent the likes of Bogomoev and Otarsultanov, Rashidov was still unable to get by returning Junior World champion Iman Sadeghikoukandeh and would have to console himself with a bronze medal.
2016 began with a more mature Rashidov making the cut down to 57 KG for the Yarygin. Notching an impressive win over 2014 Russian Nationals bronze medalist #10 (70) Viktor Rassadin (RUS) on his path to the semis where he'd fall in his third time in as many times against two time Russian Nationals champion Alexander Bogomoev (RUS). Rashidov won bronze over Vladimir Flegontov (RUS). With his bronze medal at the Yarygin and with Bogomoev and Rustam Ampar not making the cut down, Rashidov was selected as the Russian representative for the European Championships. Wins over Georgi Vangelov (BUL) and Asadulla Lachinov (BLR) would pit Rashidov in the finals against 2014 Cadet World champion Andrey Yatsenko (UKR), who'd upset 2014 55 Kg Junior world champion Makhir Amiraslanov (AZE) and Andrei Dukov (ROU) to make the finals. Showing that he was too much for Yatsenko, Rashidov beat the Ukrainian standout 6-0 for the 57 KG European championships title.
Coming off his European title, Rashidov was selected as Russia's 57 KG rep for the World Cup. Compiling a 1-2 record, Rashidov clashed horns with the elite of the elite at 57 KG, beating #2 Suleyman Atli (TUR) and losing to a pair of world champions in Hassan Rahimi (IRI) and Vladimir Khinchegashvili (GEO). Going into Russian Nationals as a Yarygin bronze medalist and European champion, Rashidov was expected to contend for the title but withdrew in the quarterfinals against #18 (61) Aldar Balzhinimaev (RUS) due to Dagestan protesting the Russian Nationals after the controversial quarterfinal between two-time world champion Viktor Lebedev (RUS) and returning national runner-up #4 Ismail Musukaev (HUN).
Context is critical to understand the highly controversial 2016 Russian Nationals championships. In the 57 KG quarterfinals, two-time world champion Lebedev faced Musukaev in a rematch of the 2015 national finals won by Lebedev. Originally scored a controversial 4-3 win for Lebedev, upon review it was correctly scored 4-2 for Musukaev after mistakes were found with the officiating, but even then Lebedev was still allowed to compete in the semifinals and went on to win gold 1-1 over returning two-time 61 KG Russian Nationals champion Bogomoev. It should be noted that all of this controversy does have a solid base in home cooking as Lebedev was the face of Yakut wrestling and taking place in Yakutsk; there was a clear agenda to see their hometown hero get his spot at the Olympics.
After the controversy to end 2016, Rashidov would have to make the move back up to a loaded 61 KG weight class filled with divisional veterans and Olympic standouts from 57 KG making their move back. Time would tell what lies ahead for Rashidov.
2017-2021
Back at the weight that saw him put his name on the map, Rashidov would be thrown into the fire right away in another loaded Yarygin field. In his opening round match, Rashidov faced the returning 57 KG Olympic runner-up #15 (57) Rei Higuchi (JPN), the uncrowned champion of the weight who had upset three past/future world champions in Rahimi , Kyong Il Yang (PRK) and Bonne Rodriguez before losing in a controversial final to returning world champion Khinchegashvili. Rashidov and Higuchi had past history that leaned in Rashidov's favor, a dominating tech fall win for the Russian from the 2015 Junior World championships where Rashidov took bronze. While not to the same degree, Rashidov was still able to show he was the better man against Rashidov and beat the Japanese standout 3-1 to move on in the bracket. 2015 133 LB NCAA champion Cody Brewer (USA) would be next for Rashidov and he blew past the American standout 12-1 to move onto the Round of 16 against returning Yarygin champion Nyurgun Skryabin (BLR). Skryabin would be a tighter 4-1 win for Rashidov, but a win nonetheless, that put him in the quarterfinals against 2013 World Champion Bekhan Goygereev (RUS). Goygereev, whose 2013 Russian National and world title run included wins over 5x World champion Besik Kudukhov (RUS) and 2x world medalist Masoud Esmaielpour (IRI), was supposed to be capable of stopping the freight train Rashidov, but he fell harder than those before him in an 8-0 loss. In the semifinals, Rashidov crushed Bulat Batoev to make the finals opposite, returning world bronze medalist #13 Akhmed Chakaev (RUS). In a tense showdown, it would be the length and power of Chakaev that would win him the day against Rashidov as he converted a low single to win the Yarygin gold 2-2.
Off a runner-up finish at the Yarygin, a rejuvenated Rashidov made mincemeat of the U-23 European Championships beating Sedat Oezdemir (TUR) in the finals for gold. Those U-23 European Championships would serve as Rashidov's final warmup before a monster bracket at the Russian Nationals championships. Returning Russian Nationals bronze medalist Nyrugun Skryabin (BLR) would be Rashidov's first test in the Round of 16 that Rashidov would pass by a 3-0 score. A tactical Goygereev would hold Rashidov to a nail-biting 2-1 win in the quarterfinals to set up a rematch against #13 Akhmed Chakaev (RUS). Chakaev, who had missed weight but was still allowed to compete at 61 KG as Russian Nationals occurred concurrently with Ramadan, was the man to beat at 61 (even if he didn't make the weight) as he had a world bronze medal, Yarygin gold and European silver to his name. Rashidov, right from the get-go, showed no fear of Chakaev and prevented the bullying Chechen from establishing his underhooks and turned the tables on Chakaev, powering through the Chechen standout with an excellent underhook series for a high octane 11-8 win and a berth to the finals. Yarygin bronze medalist #10 (70) Viktor Rassadin (RUS) had looked the best he ever had, as the returning national runner-up had outscored the competition 45-6 on his way to the finals. Rassadin looked to be in control throughout the match and not to be denied gold, but Rashidov, as clutch as he had ever been, scored a last-second single leg to take the 3-3 win and Russian Nationals gold.
Having had successfully run the gauntlet at Russian Nationals, Rashidov was now without a doubt on the shortlist of contenders to win world gold in Paris. But returning World/Olympic medalists Khinchegashvili, #6 Haji Aliyev (AZE), Logan Stieber (USA) and Bonne Rodriguez, plus the return of 3x European champion Cengizhan Erdogan (TUR), meant that Rashidov would have his work cut out for him if he was truly determined for gold.
The unheralded Josef Molnar of Hungary would serve as a beginning for Rashidov's World Championships in the form of an 11-0 tech fall. Next would come the returning world champion Logan Stieber of the United States. Stieber had stunned the world in 2016, beating the likes of Chakaev (RUS), Vasyl Shuptar (UKR), Behnam Ehsanpour (IRI) and #3 (61) Beka Lomtadze (GEO) for gold and looked to be a serious title threat in Paris. Rashidov put out the Stieber fire with an 11-0 tech fall win that showed he was on another level than America's best. Having bested the returning world champion, Rashidov would get his chance at revenge against the returning Olympic champion in Khinchegashvili. Right from the get-go of their match, Rashidov was in total control, not allowing Khinchegashvili to get to his low single, knee pull single, or chest wrap that had won him Olympic Gold at 57 KG the year before. A slide-by for Khinchegashvili would transition him into a big side lift, but the refs controversially waved off the 4 point takedown, giving Khinchegashvili only a 2 point takedown and penalizing him for his failed challenge resulting in a 6-3 win for Rashidov. Cengizhan ErdoÄŸan (TUR), the wrestler formerly known as Opan Sat, had been a four-time Nationals runner-up and three-time European champion while competing for Russia and was seen as one of the serious dark horses upon his return to competition. Rashidov put any talk of Erdogan the contender to bed with an 8-2 win in the semifinals. The man opposite Rashidov would be returning two-time world champion #6 Haji Aliyev of Azerbaijan. While Rashidov had proven himself to be better than those before, Aliyev was a completely different animal and punished the composed Russian with counter-attacks on his way to a victory by pin while up 7-1 on the Russian standout. Having gotten so close to reaching the top of the mountain, Rashidov was pushed down and forced to start his climb again.
With Stieber, Khinchegashvili, and Aliyev all moving up to 65 KG, Rashidov was now, without a doubt, the clear favorite to win world gold in 2018. Rashidov's year began as the year prior had with an exceptional run at the Yarygin, but this time would be finished with a title after avenging three past losses to Bogomoev and beating Musukaev for gold. Rashidov walked through the field at the Dan Kolov on his way to gold over 2015 61 KG world bronze medalist Vasyl Shuptar (UKR).
Rashidov's second European title would be another showing with him as the cream of the crop, as he took apart 2016 world runner-up #3 (61) Beka Lomtadze (GEO) for gold. Rashidov was allowed to not compete at the Russian Nationals championships and would wrestle-off against the champion at a later tournament before the World Championships to decide who would go. That champion who would be Magomedrasul Idrisov (RUS), who'd upset the favorites Zelimkhan Abakarov (RUS) and Ismail Musukaev for gold. As fate would have it, Rashidov and Idrisov would meet in the first round of the tournament, with Rashidov walking away the victor over Idrisov on his way to Ziolkowski gold. Rashidov's World Championships would be defined by precise dominance with a 24-2 margin over his opponents going into the finals against returning world bronze medalist Bonne Rodriguez. Bonne had looked vulnerable the whole world championships and it was the wise choice that Rashidov would take apart the wily veteran and claim his title. But Bonne Rodriguez, who'd carved out a reputation for himself as a man who only needs one shot to win, made it count the most with an absolutely massive five-point fireman's carry in the first that would carry him to a 6-5 win over Rashidov and hand the Russian his second back to back world finals loss.
After having spent the majority of his career at 61 KG, Rashidov made the move up to 65 KG, where he would begin his 2019. The year started as 2018 and 2017 had, with him competing at the prestigious Ivan Yarygin memorial. NCAA wrestling legend, 3x national champion Zain Retherford (USA) was Rashidov's first match and Rashidov was pushed to his very limit and snatching victory from the jaws of defeat took out the American 4-3 to move on. A lingering hand injury was bothering Rashidov the whole tournament and old rival Chakaev took advantage of it for a 3-2 win in the quarterfinals. A diminished Rashidov beat Cristian Solezal Lopez (CUB) 2-1 for bronze and looked to recover going into his next world competition.
Healed from his hand injury at the Yarygin, Rashidov competed at the World Cup in Yakutsk, Russia, where he notched an impressive 10-0 win over 2018 Asian Games runner-up Daichi Takatani of Japan. Competing again at the Russian Nationals championships, Rashidov was eager for his second national title. On his path to the finals, Rashidov beat a pair of national runner-ups in Bekhan Goygereev (RUS) and #10 Murshid Mutalimov (RUS). In the finals, Rashidov handled returning bronze medalist #18 Nachyn Kuular (RUS) for gold.
The World Championships in Nursultan would be incredibly deep as it was the final year of the quad and a top 6 finish at the world championships would guarantee a spot in the Olympics. #5 Takuto Otoguro (JPN), Aliyev, Alejandro Valdes Tobier (CUB), #12 Bajrang Punia (IND), #14 Daulet Niyazbekov (KAZ) and Khinchegashvili were the returning World/Olympic medalists and the addition of Musukaev and #2 Vazgen Tevanyan (ARM) meant that Rashidov would be pushed to his limit for gold.
Right out of the gate, Rashidov had his most challenging match of the tournament, a rematch of his lopsided 2017 world 61 KG world finals loss to #6 Haji Aliyev (AZE). Aliyev and Rashidov went to war, but it was a controversial score on the edge that would be ruled in Rashidov's favor that gave him revenge over Aliyev in a 4-2 win. Amr Reda Hussen (EGY) was a surprisingly close 5-3 win for Rashidov and rumors of a lingering rib injury began to pop up after his lackluster performance in the match. Returning world champion #5 Takuto Otoguro (JPN) was the man of anyone in the field to beat Rashidov next to Aliyev, but he was thoroughly dismantled by the Russian in an 8-1 loss. Having already beaten two past world champs to make the quarters, Rashidov made light work of Haji Ali (BRN) in a 9-0 quarterfinals win. In the semis would be a blast from the past, Musukaev had outscored his competition 43-7 that included a win over 2x World/Olympic champion Khinchegashvili to make the semis. As he had done in 2018 down at 61 KG, Rashidov would play the matador to Musukaev's bull and take away a 3-2 victory and his third world finals appearance. Three-time Asian champion #14 Daulet Niyazbekov (KAZ) had then top-ranked #13 Bajrang Punia (IND) 9-9 in a highly controversial semifinal win, but Rashidov gave the Kazakh no chance for victory as he thrashed him 11-0 for world gold. The top of the mountain, having beaten the best, Rashidov had done it and the king had been crowned. Rashidov's final title over the year at the World Military Games was a lay-up against Vasyl Shuptar (UKR) and the future looked bright for the king of 65 KG.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Rashidov would only compete twice in an abbreviated 2020 season. First at the Russian Nationals, where he looked fantastic in beating the likes of Alan Gogaev (RUS), #10 Murshid Mutalimov (RUS) and Chakaev and look every part of the man destined for Olympic gold and then a stunning injury loss at the Individual World Cup to #6 Haji Aliyev (AZE) would end Rashidov's year in heartbreak.
2021 has seen the return of a healthy and refocused Rashidov who's path to his fourth Russian Nationals title was punctuated by impressive victories over the likes of #3 Zagir Shakhiev (RUS), #9 Abdulmazhid Kudiev (RUS), #10 Murshid Mutalimov (RUS) and two-time 61 KG Russian Nationals runner-up Ramazan Ferzaliev (RUS). A title up at 70 KG at the City of Sassari tournament against 2016 70 KG Russian Nationals bronze medalist Ildous Giniyatullin (RUS) puts Rashidov as the clear favorite in a loaded field in Tokyo for gold. Rashidov, twice denied gold, will now be in a position to cement himself as one of the generation's lightweight best with a second consecutive title in Tokyo. I, for one, believe the Russian's chances are fantastic and look forward to his performance.
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