World Freestyle Rankings

[vaisforlovers]

I think Varner is built for freestyle and hes got to be among the more physically imposing 96ers. Great athlete, good training environment and young.

[arm-spin]

I can honestly say that I dont know but so much about international results. Just seems odd that hed be a bronze medalist last year that low. Seemed like top 6 would be more approprate, but again this is not my expertise.

I have him higher... he was third in the world, won the Pam Ams, and placed 3rd at the Yarygin, placing ahead of several highly ranked guys. Then again, I didn't have last year's other bronze medallist listed at all. I think I used the "eye test" more, whereas the other rankings were more based on up-to-date results.

[arm-spin]

Post World Cup and Russian Nationals.
Guys who (probably) won't go to the Olympics have asterix next to his name
These will be continuously updated based on people's suggestions


55 kg-
1- Otarsultanov, Russia. Finally beat Lebedev in the Russian nationals and seemed to wear him out.
2-Lebedev, Russia. Maybe lack of competition caught up to him, also had a health emergency this year I think.*
3- Veiikov, Bulgaria.
4- . Ramihi, Iran. Not sure but I think he was undefeated at the world cup.
5- Yang, North Korea. Love to see him vs Otarsultranov, he has such heavy hands and never stops coming. Won the qualifiying tournament.
6- Khineshgasvhilli, Turkey.
7- Mansurov, Uzbekistan. The 2x world champ probably gets his last Olympic shot.

60 kg
1- Kudukhov, Russia. Best pound for pound in the world. Only wrestled in the Russian Nationals, but he won again.
2- Asgarov, Azerbayjan. Can he beat Kuduhov? I don't think his defense is good enough but I'm excited to find out.
3- Sat, Russia. Another very exciting wrestler who can't catch a break vs Kudukhov.
4- Gomez, Puerto Rico.
5- Fedorishin, Ukraine. Won the Olympic qualifier, and might have enough left for one more medal run.
6- Scott, USA. Too highly rated matbe? But he beat last year's 3rd and 5th place winners at the world cup.
7- Yumoto, Japan. Took Kudukhov to double clinches last year at worlds.

66 kg.
1- Yonomitsu, Japan. Beat Taghavi at the world cup, then injured out.
2- Taghavi, Iran. I think he's the best guy here but he has a couple of losses this year.
3- Gogaev, Russia. Great year winning Yarygin, Euros and nationals.
4- Hasaynov, Azerbayjan. Some losses this year, but still dangerous.
5- Lopez, Cuba.
6- Kumar, India. Struggled to qualify for the Olympics, but still a gold medal threat
7- A. Batirov. Another finals appearance at Russian Nationals. I'm assuming his brother is done.*


74 kg:
1- Burroughs, USA. Has had some scary moments and needs to tighten up his defense and be at his best for every match, but so far, still unbeaten.
2- Tsargush, Russia. Won the Euros, Nationals, Yarygin and beat Saitiev 2x.
3- Goudrazi, Iran. Lost a close match to Burroughs at world cup.
4- Adam Saitiev. Will presumably retire for good after losing at nationals.*
5- Geduev, Russia. victim of the worst screw job ever at the nationals against Saitev. I'd like to have seen him get a shot at Tsargush*
6- Aliyev, Azerbayjan.
7- Khustishvilli, Georgia. The other bronze medalist in a very top heavy weight class.

84:
1- Sharifov, Azerbayjan. Had some close bouts but won world cup and Olympic practice tournament againt good competition.
2- Urishev, Russi. Finally gets a chance on the big stage when the clinches went his way at nationals. Like Otarsultranov has won everything else.
3- Aldatov, Ukraine.
4- Lashgari, Iran. On a big hot streak; beat Dato at world cup and Sokhiev at Olympiq Qualifier finals by pin.
5- Dato, Georgia. Amazing technique but tends to fade late in matches IMO. Won the European championships but lost at the world cup.
6- Saritov, Russia.*
7- Sokhiev, Uzbekistan.


96-
1- Gadisov, Russia. It was close but he beat Muradov/Saidov/Gatsalov in a row at nationals. Embarassed his competition at the Euros and qualifiers.
2- Yazdani, Iran. Beat Gayzumov, killed Varner and Balci, lost to Gadisov. Has weird losses sometimes (ie Georgia at world cup)
3- Gayzumov, Azerbayjan.
4- Gatsalov, Russia Is this it for the legendary wrestler?*
5- Gogchelidze, Georgia. Beat Gadisov at early season tournament before losing at the qualifiers finals.
6- Balci, Turkey. Beat Varner at the world cup.
7- Saidov, Russia. Another guy who just can't cach a break- loses a controversial semi to Gadisov at nationals.*



120 kg:
1- Shemarov, Belarus. I really have a hard time leaving him at #1 with his world cup loss, but he beat Makhov 2x last year and is the defending champ.
2- Makhov, Russia. Scored at will at the Nationals. Probably the best guy here.
3- Dlagnev, USA. Great win at world cup, dominated a tough US trials.
4- Taymazoc, Uzbekistan
5- Magomedov, Azerbayjan. Beat Shemarov at the world cup but lost to Dlagnev.
6- Agkul, Turkey
7- Dzampaev, Russia. second at nationals.* Like I've said before, I really have no clue at this weight.

Thoughts?

[teseo]

Rasul Murtazaliev wrestled in the 66kg category at nationals, and lost his second match if I remember right.

I think Jabrayil Hasanov should be top3 in the 66kg ranking, but liked the rest of the lists.

[arm-spin]

Rasul Murtazaliev wrestled in the 66kg category at nationals, and lost his second match if I remember right.

I think Jabrayil Hasanov should be top3 in the 66kg ranking, but liked the rest of the lists.

I have him 4th, but leaving him off was a pure oversight on my part. Also wondering if Muradov needs a spot at 96; has he won anything since the Olympics last time?

[JensenS]

Be tough for him to have, he hasn't been on the team since the last Olympics.

And as far as tournaments like the Yarygin, World Cup, or the Golden Grand Prix I don't remember him doing anything there either really.

[gbdaz]

I'd have taghavi as 1, seeing as he's world champ beat batirov, lopez, hasanov, yonemitsu, shanabau. And lashgari pinned sokhiev 2 months ago, beat dato at the world cup as well, other than that I agree with the list.

[arm-spin]

Maybe I'm contradicting myself a bit, since I put Yonomitsu over Taghavi based on recent head to head results, but I put Dato and Sokhiev over Lashgari based on accomplishments desipte Lashgari's head to head victory. I'll move Lash up a bit. Taghavi stays where he is for now; in addition to his recent loss to Japan he also has at least one in the Iranian league.

[JensenS]

You just don't like him because he's boring.