By Seth Petarra

The 57kg weight class at this year's World Championships in Paris is in something of a transition phase, which is common for a lot of lower weights as competitors move up or take time off after an Olympic year. This shows with Olympic medalists Vladimir Khinchegashvili (GEO), Rei Higuchi (JPN), and Haji Aliyev (AZE) all having moved up to 61kg, and Hassan Rahimi (IRI), the only other remaining medalist, out with an injury.

Even with these big names absent, 57kg is still a very interesting weight to watch heading into Friday's opening matches, as we'll begin to see the emergence of new talent along with the return of some savvy vets.

Title Contenders

No. 1 Suleyman Atli (TUR)

Atli really burst onto the scene in 2016 when he notched strong wins over returning world bronze medalists Vasyl Shuptar (UKR) and No. 6 Erdenebat Bekhbayar (MGL). While Atli struggled at the Olympics, finishing 16th after a loss to Ivan Guidea (ROU), he's been extremely solid since then with titles at the U-23 European Championships and the Yasar Dogu along with a bronze medal finish at the European championships after an upset loss to No. 13 Andrei Dukov (ROU). Atli has strong wins over No. 2 Zaur Uguev (RUS), No. 6 Erdenebat Bekhbayar (MGL), No. 8 Makhir Amiraslanov (AZE), and No. 4 Giorgi Edisherashvili (AZE). From his feet, Atli likes to pressure in with a righty collar tie and has a strong head inside single that he'll drive up and finish as a double or come up to the body and look to throw. He'll also look for an ankle pick or a cross-ankle pick, and he's got a very solid double. Atli is also good when it comes to throwing of his shots or throwing guys off their shots.

No. 2 Zaur Uguev (RUS)

With the retirement of two-time world champion Victor Lebedev (RUS), Russia was in dire need of someone who could be a world title or medal contender at 57kg. It seems it has found that in No. 2 Zaur Uguev (RUS), who's won titles this year at the Yarygin and Russian Nationals. He's also registered bronze medal finishes at the Yasar Dogu and European Championships. Uguev has impressive wins over No. 3 Artem Gebek (RUS) and No. 7 Nariman Israpilov (RUS). Uguev's strong suit from his feet is his underhooks, which he'll reload into a seatbelt and throw it by into a head inside single that he'll finish by coming out the back door and going Iranian finish. He also has a nice right-side head inside single re-attack. Uguev will also snap guys down into a front headlock and go inside trip either side. Additionally, Uguev has a strong gut and head pinch, and when he goes left side underhook throw-by, he'll convert it into a head outside single or he'll go fireman's carry with it.

No. 6 Erdenebat Bekhbayar (MGL)

A world bronze medalist in 2015, No. 6 Erdenebat Bekhbayar (MGL) has been a step below the elite of the world but still incredibly solid nonetheless. While he would not have able to beat Khinchegashvili, Atli, or Aliyev at the Rio Olympics for example, he should still have been seen as someone who could potentially medal with a good draw. This was not to be as Bekhbayar was upset in the first round in Rio by Adama Diatta (SEN) and failed to place. Since then, Bekhbayar has picked up a title at the Dan Kolov over European runner-up No.13 Andrei Dukov (ROU) and also won the Mongolia Open. Bekhbayar has impressive wins over No. 9 Yuki Takahashi (JPN), No. 11 Sandeep Tomar (IND), No. 3 Artem Gebek (RUS), and No. 18 Nurislam Sanayev (KAZ). Bekhbayar has a strong righty sweep single and low single. He shoots an ankle pick to the left side and brings up and finishes his low singles very well. Bekhbayar's quite strong for the weight and has a good lefty low single re-attack off his front headlock.

No. 10 Beka Lomtadze (GEO)

The 2016 world runner-up at 61kg to No. 3 (61) Logan Stieber (USA), Lomtadze has made the move down to 57kg to fill the gap left by No. 1 (61) Vladimir Khinchegashvili (GEO), who beat him in the finals of Georgian Nationals this year. So far at the weight, Lomtadze was able to win the Karotzia and Balavadze Grand Prix over 2014 junior world runner-up Mirjal Hasanzade (AZE). Lomtadze has impressive wins up at 61kg over No. 1 Vladimir Khinchegashvili (GEO), No. 10 Akhmednabi Gvarzatilov (AZE), No. 15 Andrei Perpelita (MDA), and Radoslav Velikov (BUL). Lomtadze is strong for the weight and has an absolutely beautiful far-side fireman's carry he'll hit either off an inside control throw-by or a 2-1. He's got a solid lefty knee pull single and high crotch, a good double, and a solid chest wrap.

Medal Contenders

No. 9 Yuki Takahashi (JPN)

Yuki Takahashi (JPN) was the 2014 and 2015 world rep for Japan, finishing fifth and ninth, respectively. However, he was stuck behind Olympic runner-up No. 8 (61) Rei Higuchi (JPN) in 2016 and only competed once that year, at the Baku GGP where Takahashi earned a bronze medal. So far this year, he's won the Asian championships with a dominant win over No. 17 Zanabazar Zandanbud (MGL). Takahashi has wins over No. 8 Makhir Amiraslanov (AZE) and No. 16 Azamat Tuskaev (RUS). Takahashi has a strong over collar tie to a right-side snatch single along with very solid hands-head defense. Takahashi has solid re-attacks off of his front headlock usually looking to go High-C and shoulder down to finish, and he also has a good cut-across double.

No. 8 Makhir Amiraslanov (AZE)

Azerbaijan had been deciding between going with No. 4 Giorgi Edisherashvili (AZE) and No. 8 Makhir Amiraslanov (AZE) for much of the year. Edisherashvili had the superior international resume with a European title to his name, while Amiraslanov had two wins over Edisherashvili at the Azerbaijan Federation National Cup and Ali Aliyev and won titles at the Islamic Solidarity Games and Ali Aliyev. At the end of the day, it was Amiraslanov's head-to-head wins over Edisherashvili that gave him the nod, and while he may not be quite as highly ranked as Edisherashvili, he's still an incredibly solid guy for Azerbaijan with medal potential. Amiraslanov has strong wins over No. 4 Giorgi Edisherashvili (AZE), No. 17 Zanabazar Zandanbud (MGL), and No. 16 Azamat Tuskaev (RUS). For Amiraslanov, his strength is in his left underhook. He likes to go throw-by into a snatch single, where he'll power finish or double off, and he also has a very strong lefty sweep single. He's got solid go-behinds off his front headlock and likes to look a drag into a bodylock, where he'll finish with a side lift.  With Amiraslanov, it seems he really shows out against less athletic or technical competition, but against guys of equal athletic or technical ability who can make him pay for coming in so hard, he tends to struggle.

UR Vladimir Dubov (BUL)

A two-time world medalist up at 61kg, where he was silver in 2013 and bronze in 2015, many believed that Vladimir Dubov (BUL) would transition back up to 61kg after a fifth-place finish in Rio. That seemed to be the case, as Dubov moved back up to 61kg for the first half of the year, where he struggled with a fifth-place finish at the International Ukrainian Tournament and an 18th-place finish at the Dan Kolov. Dubov made the cut back down to 57kg at the Ziolkowski, where he lost to Islamic Solidarity Games runner-up Zhandos Ismailov (KAZ) but rallied back to take third. While Dubov has had a pretty inconsistent year so far, it would be foolish to completely discount him, as he's had strong wins in the past and it's likely the large cut down to 57kg was affecting his performance while he was adjusting to it, so he should be in peak form here. Dubov has strong wins over No. 6 (65) Bajrang (IND), Radoslav Velikov (BUL), and No. 13 Ismail Musukaev (RUS). Dubov has a good double and dresser dump, and he's a strong stocky guy for the weight who holds position well.

No. 11 Sandeep Tomar (IND)

Sandeep Tomar's 2017 has been inconsistent to say the least. To start it off, he goes and notches strong wins over No. 6 Erdenebat Bekhbayar (MGL) and Olympic champ (61kg) Vladimir Khinchegashvili (GEO), who is ranked No. 1, at the Indian Pro Wrestling League. But then Tomar fails to place at the Dan Kolov and the Asian Championships, where he loses to Timur Aitkulov (KAZ) and Ulukbek Zholdoshbekov (KGZ), respectively. Even with these inconsistent results, this doesn't take away from the fact that Tomar is still very much a contender for a world medal and a title if he really goes off. Tomar also has solid wins over No. 15 Hak Jin Jong (PRK) and No. 18 Nurislam Sanayev (KAZ). Tomar is very strong for the weight and has a great lefty underhook that he keeps glued to guys, and he'll look for a throw-by off of, or pound it into an over-under where he'll look to go high double or step in and try and pancake the guy. He has a solid over-collar tie slide-by that he chains an elbow pass off of well, along with good go-behinds and re-attacks off his front headlock.

Dark Horses

No. 13 Andrei Dukov (ROU)

Dukov's been somewhat of a journeyman for a while, but this year that seems to be turning around. Dukov has had a strong early half of 2017 with runner-up finishes at the Dan Kolov and European championships, highlighted by upset wins over No. 8 Makhir Amiraslanov (AZE) and No. 1 Suleyman Atli (TUR), while losing to No. 6 Erdenebat Bekhbayar (MGL) and No. 4 Giorgi Edisherashvili (AZE). But Dukov's latter half of 2017 has seen him place 14th at the Ziolkowski after losing to Yernur Kabataev (KAZ) and fifth at the Ion Cornianu against unranked competition. Really so far 2017 has been Dukov's best year with his best wins career-wise being over Atli and Amiraslanov. Dukov has a strong lead-side knee pull single and does a good job of circling out and clearing guys' ties. He does a great job of bringing guys up during flurries and countering them with a mean sag headlock or pancaking them to their back. Even with his inconsistency this year, Dukov's wins show that he's capable of beating superior competition. Now if this happens in Paris, that's yet to be seen, but he can't be completely counted out.

No. 15 Hak Jin Jong (PRK)

Jong really put his name on the map with a title at the 2014 Asian Games that gave him the No. 1 spot in the world. This top ranking didn't hold at all, as he was fifth at both the Asian Championships and the World Championships in 2015. With these results, we began to see that Jong is more realistically a top 15 guy at best. In 2016, Jong was able to secure a runner-up finish at the Asian Championships to No. 11 Sandeep Tomar (IND) and then a Military World title but finished the year off seventh at the Baku GGP and has been inactive since. Jong has posted strong wins in the past over No. 9 Yuki Takahashi (JPN) and Nomin Batbold (MGL). Jong is a lanky 57kg with a strong double leg and a good sweep single to both sides and ankle pick as well. He does a solid job of getting a low gut right off of his double.

No. 19 Thomas Gilman (USA)

Gilman impressed many with the improvement he made from the short time in between a third-place finish at the NCAA tournament into the world team trials, where he absolutely went off. Gilman was able to notch very impressive wins over the likes of Nathan Tomasello, Darian Cruz, Nico Megaludis, and Tony Ramos -- all former NCAA champs. Gilman then went and won a title at the Grand Prix of Spain over 2014 European bronze medalist Zoheir El Quarrage (FRA). Gilman's best international wins are over the USA's Ramos -- who is ranked 20th -- and Reza Atri (IRI). Gilman is a great hand fighter with a seemingly endless gas tank who does a great job of moving guys off a right-hand collar tie. Gilman also has a solid knee pull single to the rear leg that he finishes well. Hand-fighting wise Gilman really likes to go right-collar tie left outside control and snap that down a lot, or he'll look to pass that outside control to an elbow pass and get to his head inside single.

61kg

This weight class boasts some of the best depth it's had in years, and a lot of that has to do with the fact that a lot of guys are moving around with their weight after the Olympics. No weight has benefitted more from this than 61kg, with the return of two-time world champion and second-ranked Haji Aliyev (AZE) and the emergence of 57kg Olympic champion and top-ranked Vladimir Khinchegashvili (GEO). Two-time European champion and No. 4-ranked Gadzhimurad Rashidov (RUS), along with returning 2016 world champion and No. 3 Logan Stieber (USA) help make the top half of 61kg absolutely insane. Even with that insanely deep top half, there's still even more depth, so let's get to breaking down one of my favorite weights of the tournament.

Title Contenders

No. 1 Vladimir Khinchegashvili (GEO)

Since a loss earlier in the year to No. 11 (57kg) Sandeep Tomar (IND) at the Indian Pro Wrestling League down at 57kg, 2016 Olympic champion Vladimir Khinchegashvili has fully dedicated himself to 61kg, and the results have paid off big time with titles at Georgian Nationals, the European Championships, and the Ziolkowski. Khinchegashvili has very strong wins over No. 7 Akhmed Chakaev (RUS), No. 10 Akhmednabi Gvarzatilov (AZE), No. 4 Gadzhimurad Rashidov (RUS), No. 2 Haji Aliyev (AZE), No. 15 Andrei Perpelita(MDA), No. 1 (57kg) Suleyman Atli (TUR), and No. 10 (57kg) Beka Lomtadze (GEO). Khinchegashvili has a strong head inside single on the right side that he reloads and finishes well. He does a very good job of getting to his low single and going cut across double or coming out the back door to finish. Khinchegashvili has a great gas tank and keeps exceptional positioning during offensive flurries, and he has a solid 2-1 that he'll look for go-behinds off of, a strong limp leg, good chest wrap, and a very clutch super duck.

No. 2 Haji Aliev (AZE)

A two-time world champion at the weight (2014 and 2015), Haji Aliyev (AZE) is coming off a title at the Islamic Solidarity Games that saw him tech Alibek Osmonov (KGZ) in the finals, along with registering an impressive 9-1 win over No. 6 Masoud Esmailpour (IRI). Khinchegashvili and Aliev have a storied rivalry, and while it's never been a blowout for either guy, Khinchegashvili still owns the series 3-1 with his wins coming at 2013 Euros, 2016 Euros, and 2016 Olympics, with Aliev's only win being at the 2013 Baku GGP. So it seems that Aliev has some ground to make if he wants to look to win his third world title at 61kg. Aliev has strong wins over No. 1 Vladimir Khinchegashvili (GEO), No. 6 Masoud Esmailpour (IRI), No. 9 (65kg) Alan Gogaev (RUS), Alexander Bogomoev (RUS), No. 3 (65 kg) Franklin Gomez (PUR), and No. 11 Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez (CUB). Aliev has a strong high crotch that he'll get off an inside control throw-by that he'll look to go shoulder down and finish on the mat, come out the back door and finish, or reload into his fireman's carry. He's a strong hand fighter and does a great job of getting go-behinds and leg attacks off his front headlock. Aliev also does a great job of transitioning from his attacks right into a leg lace or gut.

No. 3 Logan Stieber (USA)

Logan Stieber has long been one of America's best freestyle prospects, stemming back to his third-place finish at the 2012 Olympic trials, but it wasn't until he graduated as a four-time NCAA champion from Ohio State in 2015 that he began to make some serious noise. Stieber started out his full-time freestyle career up at 65kg at the 2015 Baku GGP, where he notched a huge win over 2016 Olympic champion Soslan Ramonov (RUS) before losing in the finals to Magomed Kurbanaliev (RUS). Stieber would stay at 65 kg for the early half of 2016 until he later made the cut down to 61kg, where he would win trials and go onto win the world championships. Stieber has posted strong wins over No. 7 Akhmed Chakaev (RUS), No. 5 Behnam Ehsanpour (IRI), 2016 Olympic champ Soslan Ramonov (RUS), No. 10 (65 kg) Agaguseynov Mustafaev (AZE), and No. 9 Viktor Rassadin (RUS). Stieber's best shots are his lefty head inside single along with his low double, and he likes to set up both of them with a strong over-collar tie snapdown. Stieber does a great job of getting exposure off of guys' shots with a strong chest wrap and gator bacon. Stieber does a good job of transitioning straight into a leg lace or gut wrench and actually uses his famed bar arm to turn as well. Stieber also has a strong drag go-behind and likes to go baseball grip left side and snap it down into a go-behind.

No. 4 Gadzhimurad Rashidov (RUS)

Rashidov has long been one of Russia's best-kept secrets, perpetually stuck behind the great depth at 57kg and 61kg. While still a junior in 2015, Rashidov was third at senior Russian Nationals for 61kg. In 2016, Rashidov made the cut down to 57kg, where he ended up being third at the Yarygin and won his first European title. He also wrestled at the World Cup, where he beat Suleyman Atli (TUR) but lost to Hassan Rahimi (IRI) and Vladimir Khinchegashvili (GEO). This year, Rashidov returned to 61kg and was a runner-up at the Yarygin to 2016 world bronze medalist and seventh-ranked Akhmed Chakaev (RUS). He also won his second European title. Then at Russian Nationals, he beat Chakaev and 2013 world champ Bekhan Goygereev to make the finals, where he beat 2016 University world champ Viktor Rassadin. Rashidov has strong wins over No. 7 Akhmed Chakaev (RUS), No. 8 Rei Higuchi (JPN), No. 12 Bekhan Goygereev (RUS), and No. 9 Viktor Rassadin (RUS). Rashidov is very patient and positionally sound from his feet. While he can operate at an absolute snail's pace, when he does attack he prefers to go with a strong head inside single to the right side along with a powerful double as well. He'll also use his underhook throw-by to counter guys' shots for a go-behind or to segue right into his own head inside single. Or, as he showed at U-23 European championships, Rashidov will just to get rear standing so he can bomb you on your head. Defensively, Rashidov is super stingy with a really nice limp leg and heavy hips. On top, Rashidov likes to high gut.

Medal Contenders

No. 5 Behnam Ehsanpour (IRI)

After picking up his first Asian Championship title this year, Ehsanpour will be looking to build on that momentum and earn his first world medal, with this being his third straight world team for Iran. In 2015, Ehsanpour was able to beat eventual world champion Haji Aliev (AZE) 5-5 at the World Cup, but at the world championships he wound up getting pinned late in his match against eventual bronze medalist Vasyl Shuptar (UKR). In 2016, Ehsanpour beat out 2014 world runner-up and No. 6 Masoud Esmailpour (IRI) for the spot but then lost in the very last seconds of his world semifinals match against Logan Stieber (USA) 9-8 and then lost 7-4 to Akhmed Chakaev (RUS) in the bronze medal match. With the top half of 61kg being as stacked as it is, Ehsanpour will have his work cut out for him if he wants to earn his first world medal. Ehsanpour has strong wins over No. 2 Haji Aliev (AZE), No. 6 Masoud Esmailpour (IRI), No. 10 Akhmednabi Gvarzatilov (AZE), No. 17 Daulet Niyazbekov (KAZ), and No. 18 Han Song Kim (PRK). Ehsanpour has a strong righty sweep single that he'll look to cradle guys off of, along with a very strong right underhook that he'll look throw-by to his sweep single or just use to hold position. He does a good job of getting to his single leg off his front head and transitions well right into a gut. Finally, Ehsanpour, like all Iranians, holds center very well.

No. 11 Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez (CUB)

Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez returns to the weight where he put his name on the map with his bronze medal performance at the 2014 World Championships, where he teched No. 1-ranked Alexander Bogomoev (RUS) before falling to eventual world champion Haji Aliev (AZE). Since then, Bonne Rodriguez cut down to 57kg for 2015 Worlds, where he failed to place after a contentious match with Victor Lebedev (RUS), and for the 2016 Olympics, where he ended up taking fifth. Bonne Rodriguez has wins over Alexander Bogomoev (RUS), Yogeshwar Dutt (IND), Kyong Il Yang (PRK), and No. 15 Andrei Perpelita (MDA). Bonne Rodriguez has a strong fireman's carry to the right side and a great reverse lift. He loves to throw guys off of their shots especially with a gator bacon. He also has a good righty underhook that he'll throw by to a snatch single or go to a Metzger.

UR Cengizhan Erdogan (TUR)

A three-time European champion for Russia, Open Sat transferred to Turkey and changed his name to Cengizhan Erdogan and returned from a nearly three-year-long break to wrestle at the World Cup, where he lost to No. 5 Behnam Ehsanpour (IRI) and beat Nyam Ochir Enkhsaikhan (MGL). Erdogan's spot here is more earned off the resume and wins he built up while competing for Russia, and it'll be interesting to see if he can match or surpass the level of wrestling he showed while competing for Russia or if he's fallen off since transferring. I'm leaning more toward the former. Erdogan has strong wins over No. 1 Vladimir Khinchegashvili (GEO), No. 12 Bekhan Goygereev (RUS), Vladimir Dubov (BUL), and No. 7 Akhmed Chakaev (RUS). Erdogan likes to go inside control throw-by to a high crotch and really likes to go to an inside control slide-by to get to his go-behinds or bodylocks. He has strong go-behinds that he can go right into a turn off of and has a really strong whizzer kick and double-overs.

No. 18 Han Song Kim (PRK)

Han Song Kim really burst onto the scene at the Asian Championships this year, where he pinned Olympic runner-up No. 8 Rei Higuchi (JPN) in the semis, before losing in the finals 8-6 to No. 5 Behnam Ehsanpour (IRI). Kim's best win so far is over No. 8 Rei Higuchi (JPN). Kim has good length for the weight and is deceptively strong. He has a solid double and good righty snatch single, and he does a good job of getting knee block throws off a bodylock. Kim also has a solid high crotch and a really solid gut.

No. 15 Andrei Perpelita (MDA) 

Fifth at the 2014 world championships, Andrei Perpelita (MDA) is coming off a bronze medal at the European Championships and a runner-up finish at the Ziolkowski. At Euros, he was able to knock off 10th-ranked and 2016 world bronze medalist Akhmednabi Gvarzatilov (AZE). At the Ziolkowski, Perpelita beat 2016 world runner-up and No. 10 (57kg) Beka Lomtadze (GEO). Perpelita also has strong wins over No. 17 Daulet Niyazbekov (KAZ) and Vladimir Dubov (BUL). Perpelita has a good elbow pop to his lefty high C or double, and he transitions into a gut or lace off those attacks very well. Perpelita is strong for the weight and holds position well.

Dark Horse

No. 17 Daulet Niyazbekov (KAZ)

Niyazbekov's been up and down since his world bronze medal in 2011 down at 55kg, but he's still a solid guy with potential. It's just he excels early season but seems to fall apart come time for worlds. Still Niyazbekov has strong wins over No. 5 Behnam Ehsanpour (IRI), No. 12 Bekhan Goygereev (RUS), and No. 13 Ismail Musukaev (RUS). Niyazbekov has a strong front headlock, off which he'll look to hit head in the hole go-behinds and really likes chest wraps. He's got a solid head inside single and a good low single to the left side and has a strong leg lace.

86kg

With three-time world and Olympic champion Abdulrashid Sadulaev (RUS) moving up to 97kg, 86kg will finally have a new face on the top of the podium.  Will 74kg Olympic champ and No. 1-ranked Hassan Yazdani Charati (IRI) finally become "Yazdani the Greatest" and take the title or will it be Olympic bronze medalist and No. 2-ranked J'den Cox (USA) who takes the top spot?

Title Contenders

No. 1 Hassan Yazdani Charati (IRI)

Since moving up to 86kg after winning the Olympics down at 74kg, Hassan Yazdani Charati has continually improved and adapted to the weight. Yazdani Charati had somewhat of a rough start to the year. Though he plowed through lesser competition at the Takhti Cup and World Cup, he then met No. 3 David Taylor (USA) in the finals of the World Cup, where he broke and was pinned. Yazdani Charati rebounded from this with an impressive showing at the Islamic Solidarity Games, where he teched No. 9 Sharif Sharifov (AZE) and 2016 Olympic runner-up Selim Yasar (TUR), who is ranked No. 8. Yazdani Charati also has strong wins over No. 2 (74kg) Soner Demirtas, Aniuar Geduev (RUS), No. 11 Alireza Karimimachiani (IRI), No. 3 (74kg) Khetik Tsabolov (RUS), and No. 4 (74kg) Bekzod Abdurakhmanov(UZB). Yazdani loves to go lefty underhook and right-collar tie, and he'll go inside control slide-by off punching in his left underhook. Yazdani's primary leg attacks are a head outside low single, a double, and a sweep off his underhook throw-bys. Yazdani Charati likes to pancake guys off a front head, and he likes to go turk to open up his gut wrench.

No. 2 J'den Cox (USA)

J'den Cox's run to his bronze medal finish at the Olympics was a huge eye-opener to his massive amount of potential. Cox didn't give up a takedown at all, and his only loss was on criteria to eventual runner-up No. 8 Selim Yasar (TUR). Cox rebounded and was able to notch a clutch win over No. 5 (97kg) Reineris Salas Perez (CUB) to win the bronze medal. Cox was inactive since Rio until Trials, where he was able to come out on top of a wild three-match series against then-No. 1-ranked David Taylor (USA) and earn the right to represent the United States in Paris. Cox has strong wins over No. 5 Alexander Gostiev (AZE), No. 3 David Taylor (USA), No. 11 Alireza Karimimachiani (IRI), No. 5 (97kg) Reineris Salas Perez (CUB), and No. 16 Zbigniew Baranowski (POL). Cox has absolutely exceptional chain wrestling ability, and his best shot is a lefty sweep single that he'll finish as a high single or he'll double off with it. Has a great ghost leg and insane dexterity with his defense. Cox likes to go foot sweep to get to his lefty sweep single and also likes to look for an ankle pick left side as well.

Medal Contenders

No. 6 Vladislav Valiev (RUS)

Vladislav Valiev (RUS) was never seen as the guy to take the spot for Sadulaev at 86kg. That distinction belonged to No. 7 Shamil Kudiyamagomedov (RUS) or No. 4 Dauren Kurugliev (RUS). However, Valiev steadily improved throughout the year, and here he is as the Russian world rep. Valiev beat Kudiyamagomedov for bronze at the Yarygin this year. Valiev went on to the World Cup and beat No. 9 Sharif Sharifov (AZE) and then won Russian Nationals over Kudiyamagomedov in the finals. To further cement the spot, he won the Ziolkowski over No. 16 Zbigniew Baranowski (POL). Valiev also has a solid win over No. 13 Arsen Ali Musalaliev (RUS). Valiev is a very strong wrestler who has a strong head inside single to the left side he gets off a left side underhook throw-by, and off that same left side underhook throw-by he can go to a bodylock and throw from there, or off his snatch single drive across with a strong double and will convert right into a very strong gut. Valiev loves to go heavy collar tie and go elbow in on it and just bide his time and stall in matches. Valiev has had success with it as he's so strong, so it's tough for guys to open him up.

No. 5 Alexander Gostiev (AZE)

Gostiev is coming off his second consecutive runner-up finish at the European Championships, and while there he was able to upset 2016 Olympic runner-up and No. 8 Selim Yasar (TUR) before losing to No. 4 Dauren Kurugliev (RUS) in the finals. Gostiev also has strong wins over No. 11 Alireza Karimimachiani (IRI) and No. 12 Dato Marsagishvili (GEO). Even as a smaller 86kg guy, Gostiev matches levels and keeps position and matches guys' levels really well. He's got a solid inside hand pick, along with a good elbow pass to a snatch single or double along with an underhook throw-by to a snatch single that he's quite good at finishing.

No. 8 Selim Yasar (TUR)

Runner-up in Rio to three-time world and Olympic champion Abdulrashid Sadulaev (RUS), Selim Yasar has struggled against the field since the 2016 Games. While still able to beat the lesser guys of the weight, Yasar has struggled against the top-tier guys, losing to No. 4 Dauren Kurugliev (RUS) in the Yasar Dogu finals, No. 9 Sharif Sharifov (AZE) at the World Cup, No. 5 Alexander Gostiev (AZE) at Euros, and finally No. 1 Hassan Yazdani Charati (IRI) at the Islamic Solidarity Games. Although Yasar has fallen off a bit, he still has a tendency to turn it on come Worlds, and that's why I still see him as a viable medal contender. Yasar has strong wins over No. 2 J'den Cox (USA), No. 5 (97kg) Reineris Salas Perez (CUB), and No. 12 Dato Marsagishvili (GEO). Yasar is a very good hand fighter and is hard to move out of position and has good defense highlighted by a really strong limp leg. Offensively, Yasar likes to snap guys down into a front head and go double from there along with getting a 2-1 and looking go-behind off that 2-1 or using that 2-1 throwby to get to his head inside single. He can drag both sides and also has a strong gut wrench.

No. 14 Istvan Vereb (HUN)

A world bronze medalist in 2013, Vereb had been on and off since then but put himself back on the map with a bronze medal finish at Euros over No. 12 Dato Marsagishvili (GEO). Vereb also has strong wins over Murad Gaidarov (BLR) and No. 19 Aleksandr Husthyn (BLR). Vereb really likes to collar tie underhook to snap guys down into a underhook and a front head, where he'll look for a go behind or a knee pick. He really likes digging in for a bodylock, and when he does, he does an exceptional job stepping and throwing off an over under bodylock. Finally, Vereb has a solid double.

Dark Horse

No. 17 David Khutsishvili (GEO)

A 2011 world bronze medalist down at 74kg, David Khutsishvili has been out of competition for close to 3 1/2 years, but he has reemerged for Georgia up at 86kg. He's being sent instead of No. 12 Dato Marsagishvili (GEO), and Khutsishvili has got solid potential here. Khutsishvili is coming off a runner-up finish at the Kartozia & Balavadze Grand Prix along with a bronze medal finish at the Ziolkowski. Khutsishvili has strong wins over No. 9 Sharif Sharifov (AZE), No. 2 (74kg) Soner Demirtas (TUR), Murad Gaidarov (BLR), No. 5 Alexander Gostiev (AZE), and No. 17 (74kg) Jumber Kvelashvili (GEO). Khutsishvili likes to push a hard pace and likes to get a 2-1 throw it by to a double. He can throw well from double-overs and has a solid arm spin that he'll chain into a double.

125kg

The top half of 125kg has clearly become a three-man race between between No. 1 Taha Akgul (TUR), No. 2 Geno Petriashvili (GEO), and No. 3 Alan Zasieiev (UKR), and it seems as though Akgul has pulled quite far ahead as he teched Petriashvili 14-4 at the European Championships this year. Petriashvili and Akgul both have beaten Zasieiev. It's just Zasieiev is quite a bit better than the field. Akgul's insane level of dominance shouldn't put a damper on heavyweight, because outside of the basically impenetrable top tier, the bottom half of heavyweight is actually decent this year and could lead to some interesting matches.

Title Contenders

No. 1 Taha Akgul (TUR)

Reigning Olympic champion Taha Akgul is looking to win his fourth straight world or Olympic title, and with the level he's wrestling at right now, he looks primed and ready to do so. Akgul has strong wins over No. 2 Geno Petriashvili (GEO), No. 3 Jamaladdin Magomedov (AZE), No. 4 Alan Zasieiev (UKR), No. 6 Khomeil Ghasemi (IRI), No. 8 Levan Berianidze (ARM), and No. 9 Parviz Hadi (IRI). Akgul has a really nice lefty knee pull single that he transitions beautifully into a leg lace or a gut wrench. Akgul also has a strong head outside low single along with a clean lefty double.

No. 2 Geno Petriashvili (GEO)

The clear No. 2 behind Akgul, Petriasvili will be looking for his fourth world medal. Petriashvili has strong wins over No.  1 Taha Akgul (TUR), No. 6 Khomeil Ghasemi (IRI), No. 4 Alan Zasieiev (UKR), No. 7 Levan Berianidze (ARM), and No. 15 Dom Bradley (USA). Petriashvili has a solid lefty head inside single along with a solid lefty knee pull single and likes to get to his attacks off an underhook throw-by. Petriashvili's main turn from on top is a low gut.

No.  4 Alan Zasieiev (UKR)

The 2013 world runner-up will be looking for his first world medal in four years, and he looks primed to earn it here and could potentially make the finals given his ability. Zasieiev has strong wins over No. 1 Taha Akgul (TUR), David Modzmanishvili (UZB), No. 2 Geno Petriashvili (GEO), and Bilyal Makhov (RUS). Zasieiev is a very athletic heavyweight who has a really solid dummy hand duck that he'll hit on guys and transition right into a low gut. He has a mean front headlock that he'll look for a chest wrap go-behind or chest wrap the guy and look to step over and pin them, or he'll go ankle pick to right side. Has a nice righty high crotch and a solid head outside single to the right side.

Medal Contenders

No. 5 Yadollah Mohebi (IRI)

Mohebi is coming in strong to Worlds, with an Asian championships title and a win over Olympic runner-up No. 6 Khomeil Ghasemi (IRI) at Iranian nationals. Mohebi has strong wins over No. 6 Khomeil Ghasemi (IRI) and No. 14 Zolboo Natsagsuren (MGL). Mohebi wrestles a whole lot like Adam Coon, lots of underhooks looking for an over under bodylock and trying to step in and bear hug and the occasional snatch single or high double. It's not pretty but it works because he's long and strong for the weight. He'll struggle against someone who can match his strength and clear his ties.

No. 8 Nick Gwiazdowski (USA)

Gwiazdowski has made continual improvement since 2016, and it showed as he was able to win the U.S. Open and World Team Trials with strong wins over Zach Rey (USA) and No. 15 Dom Bradley (USA). Now that Gwiazdowski has established himself as the man domestically, he looks primed to do the same internationally. Gwiazdowski has strong wins over No. 9 Parviz Hadi (IRI), No. 15 Dom Bradley (USA), and Aleksandr Khotsianivski (UKR). Gwiazdowski has a really solid snatch single that he'll double off with and has a good knee pull single as well. Additionally, he is good at getting go-behinds and leg attacks off his front headlock.

No. 10 Anzor Khizriev (RUS)

For the first time since 2008, Russia had a heavyweight not named Bilyal Makhov or Khadzhimurad Gatsalov, and at the end of the day, the country's world rep is Anzor Khizriev. He isn't necessarily Russia's first pick, either. Early in the year, it was No. 11 Alan Khugaev (RUS), who won the Yasar Dogu and Yarygin. But Khizriev beat Khugaev at Russian Nationals and took home the title, so he's the man for Russia. Khizriev also has strong wins over Olympic bronze medalist Ibragim Saidov (BLR) and No. 12 Magomedgadsi Nurasulov (RUS). Khizriev has good length for the weight and likes to punch his underhooks in and look to throw. He's got a solid sweep single and head outside low single to the right side and a good lefty drag go behind as well.

No. 7 Levan Berianidze (ARM)

Berianidze was fifth at the 2015 worlds and 2016 Olympics, and he didn't get these placements off being an offensive dynamo by any means. He's a very big heavyweight with heavy hands and hips. Beranidze likes to stuff guys and looks for go-behinds and shoots the occasional snatch single, though big emphasis on "occasional." Berianidze has wins over Khadzhimurad Gatsalov (RUS), No. 16 Daniel Ligeti (HUN), and David Modzmanishvili (UZB).

No. 16 Daniel Ligeti (HUN)

Ligeti's been around for a while, with his best result coming at 2010 Worlds with a fifth-place finish. Since then, he's been relatively on and off again. When he's on, he has some great wins, including over No. 1 Taha Akgul (TUR), David Modzmanishvili (UZB), and Fatih Cakirglou (TUR). Ligeti is very much an upper-body specialist who occasionally gets a double or a knee pick off pounding in his underhooks, but primarily he's looking to get an over under bodylock and step in to toss you. Additionally, Ligeti will get a whizzer and look to whizzer kick you, or he'll snap you down into a front head and look inside trip off of it.

Dark Horse

UR David Modzmanishvili (UZB)

A 2012 Olympic runner-up for Georgia, David Modzmanishvili (UZB) is someone that could really make waves in this heavyweight field. Modzmanishvili has strong wins over Bilyal Makhov (RUS), No. 4 Alan Zasieiev (UKR), No. 2 Geno Petriashvili (GEO), and No. 3 Jamaladdin Magomedov (AZE). Modzmanishvili is a very stocky heavyweight with a strong high crotch and looks to reload it into a fireman's carry. He's got a good high double and strong go behinds off his front headlock. Modzmanishvili does a nice job of stuffing guys' shots with his front headlock and then taking them through feet to back on a chest wrap. One issue for Modzmanishvili is that he does well against lankier guys who he can muscle around, but he kind of falls off against stronger competition that he can't push around.