The hammers of the non-Olympic weights all face the same choice: Up or down? For two-time World Champion Haji Aliev, his choice is to cut down. The Azeri has won back to back titles at 61kg. Now he'll add to an already incredible field at 57kg. This move not only could help get Aliev coveted Olympic hardware, it makes the Azerbaijan lineup all the more tougher.
At 65kg, 2012 Olympic Champion Toghrul Asgarov will be among the favorites in Rio. This move by Aliev allows Azerbaijan to get their two best wrestlers into the lineup.
In an article on Report News Agency Aliev discussed the move. "At non-Olympic competitions, I fight at 61 kg," Aliev said. "57 kg is a new weight category for me. It will not be hard for me to fight at a new weight category."
Jimmy Kennedy had the champ all but beat in 2013:
10-0! Aliev gets the tech in the 2015 World Finals:
At 65kg, 2012 Olympic Champion Toghrul Asgarov will be among the favorites in Rio. This move by Aliev allows Azerbaijan to get their two best wrestlers into the lineup.
In an article on Report News Agency Aliev discussed the move. "At non-Olympic competitions, I fight at 61 kg," Aliev said. "57 kg is a new weight category for me. It will not be hard for me to fight at a new weight category."
Jimmy Kennedy had the champ all but beat in 2013:
10-0! Aliev gets the tech in the 2015 World Finals: