By Seth Petarra

With all the medalists from the 2016 Olympics either bumped up to 70kg, injured, or suspended for drug test failures, 65kg has become a wide-open weight class at the 2017 World Championships, featuring both a lot of new faces and some old vets who can shake it up on Saturday in Paris.

Title Contenders

No. 2 Alejandro Valdes Tobier (CUB)

Valdes Tobier had a solid early 2016 with a win over No. 3 Franklin Gomez (PUR) in the finals of the Pan AM OG Qualifier, but it wasn't until the Rio Olympics that Valdes Tobier begin to separate himself more from the field. In Rio, Valdes Tobier pinned European runner-up No. 7 Mustafa Kaya (TUR) before losing to Soslan Ramonov (RUS) and Haislan Garcia (CAN). Valdes Tobier rebounded well with a strong showing in the Bundesliga Pro League in Germany, where he pinned Olympic bronze medalist and 2015 world champion and No. 4-ranked (70kg) Frank Chamizo (CUB). At the Baku GGP, Valdes Tobier teched his way to the finals, highlighted by a win over No. 10 Agaguseynov Mustafaev (AZE) before losing to 2016 70kg world champion Magomed Kurbanaliev. 

Valdes Tobier is strong for the weight and has some great front headlock re-attacks with go-behinds and Dresser dumps. He likes to go baseball grip pull in a 2-1 to set up his right side knee pull single. Valdes Tobier loves to use wrist control and foot sweeps and trips to set up his leg attacks. He likes to go Abas snap for a go-behind right side. He sets up his knee pull single by going block off slide-by to the right side, and his knee pull single is absolutely gorgeous. He has a really strong high gut that he'll use combined with a turk to open guys up. Has a nice foot sweep from double unders along with a pancake and an inside trip from an over-under.

No. 3 Franklin Gomez (PUR)

Although he has yet to win a world medal since a runner-up finish at 60kg in 2011, Gomez has remained a fixture as a top guy in whatever weight he competes at. If it were not for some subpar and very likely rigged officiating in Rio, he would likely also be an Olympic bronze medalist. But even with that being the case, Gomez looks primed to get his first world medal in six years. Gomez has strong wins over No. 5 Boris Novachkov (BUL), No. 2 Alejandro Valdes Tobier (CUB), and Besik Kudukhov (RUS). Gomez is incredibly fast when it comes to getting in on his head inside single and head outside single to the right side and finishing. Has a good ankle pick to the right side. He has a really solid double leg, a solid gut wrench, and strong underhook throw-bys to leg attacks as well as good inside control slide-by to right side.

No. 4 Zurab Yakobashvili (GEO)

Yakobashvili only really started having senior-level success in 2015, and since then he's been a consistent fixture in the top of rankings. He has strong finishes at good tournaments with titles at the 2016 Medved and 2017 Ziolkowski along with a bronze medal finish at this year's European Championships. With the 65kg field opening up like it has, Yakobashvili looks primed for a world medal. Yakobashvili has wins over No. 7 Mustafa Kaya (TUR), No. 5 Boris Novachkov (BUL), No. 5 (70kg) Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (RUS), and No. 19 (70kg) Evgeni Zherbaev (RUS). Yakobashvili has a strong low gut and good length for 65kg. He has an ankle pick to back leg that he'll also chain a knee pull single off of, and a double that he brings up and finishes very well. On his head inside singles, he'll look to go shoulder down to finish on the mat or he'll double off.

No. 9 (70kg) Adam Batirov (BRN)

A world fifth-place finisher in 2011 while competing for Russia, Batirov emerged back in the scene in 2016 having transferred to Bahrain. Since then he's been incredibly solid, picking up an Asian championship title, the Ulaanbaatar OG Qualifier title, and a bronze at the Islamic Solidariry Games. While he isn't as good as his two-time Olympic champion brother, Mavlet Batirov (RUS), Adam is very, very good and someone who's beaten high-level competition in the past. Adam has the skill set and savvy to do well in this field. Batirov has wins over No. 4 Zurab Yakobashvili (GEO), Tatsuhiro Yonemitsu (JPN), Mehdi Teghavi (IRI), No. 12 (70kg) Ikhtiyor Navruzov (UZB), No. 8 (70kg) Israil Kasumov (RUS), and No. 18 Ali Shabanov (BLR).

Batirov has a solid arm spin that he'll go head in the hole to finish into a head in the hole gut or a high gut. He loves to punch his right underhook into an over-under to get to his arm spin or will punch it in off right underhook left tricep control. Batirov has a strong sweep single off an over collar tie snapdown to right side and is hard to move out of position. He clears ties well and has a solid underhook throw-bys to his head inside singles. He tends to give up a merkel off going reverse grip single but has solid head in the hole series off a front headlock.

No. 6 Bajrang (IND)

A world bronze medalist in 2013 down at 61kg, Bajrang made the full move up to 65kg this year at the World Cup, where he struggled in going 1-3. Bajrang made a lot of improvement since then with a runner-up finish to No. 5 Boris Novachkov (BUL) at the Dan Kolov. At that tournament, Bajrang notched wins over No. 11 Magomed Muslimov (AZE) and No. 9 (61kg) Viktor Rassadin (RUS). Bajrang followed up his runner-up finish at the Dan Kolov with a title at the Asian Championships, where he avenged a loss to No. 8 Meysam Nasiri (IRI) from the World Cup in the quarterfinals and would go on to beat Seung Chul Lee in the finals. Bajrang's gas tank and hand fighting are both strong. He likes to get a lefty knee pull snatch single off of his over under. He pressures in with left underhook right inside control to open guys up and has a good righty head inside single. From on top, he has a strong bent leg turk. He does a good job of shouldering down to finish his high-C and single legs.

Medal Contenders

No. 12 Zain Retherford (USA)

Although Retherford doesn't have the highest amount of international senior-level competition, with his training environment and style of wrestling, I see him as a guy who can really turn a lot of heads in this field. He especially impressed with just how dominant he was at the World Team Trials mini-tournament before besting 2016 Olympic fifth-place finisher and No. 16-ranked Frank Molinaro (USA) two matches to one. Retherford looks ready for the field.

In his limited sample size, Retherford also has a strong win over No. 1 (70kg) James Green (USA). Retherford has strong re-attacks and a good double that he'll cut across on the mat to finish. He has a really strong head inside single that he'll either finish as a sweep or reload and come out the back door to finish. Retherford uses a solid drag go-behind to score off alone or to get to a head inside single and finish. He also has high pace and great hand fighting.

No. 7 (70kg) Magomedmurad Gadzhiev (POL)

Although much of his body of work is up at 70kg, where he's been excellent since 2015, Magomedmurad Gadzhiev is making the cut down again, which is surprising. It makes sense in 2015 and 2016 to prepare for the Olympics, but in the first year in the new quad one would think that Gadzhiev wouldn't cut weight and wrestle at his more natural weight of 70kg. But even with this being the case, Gadzhiev will be a medal contender at 65kg. Gadzhiev has wins over No. 5 Boris Novachkov (BUL), No. 5 (74 kg) Jabrayil Hasanov (AZE), Togrul Asgarov (AZE), No. 8 (70kg) Israil Kasumov (RUS), and No. 9 (70kg) Adam Batirov (BRN). Gadzhiev has a head inside on both sides, a knee pull single, a low single on a guy's lead leg, and very strong defense highlighted by a great limp leg. He can gut both sides from on top and has a strong front headlock that he'll use to get to his single legs. He also has a very nasty headlock that he'll hit on guys if they reach or push in too much on him.

No. 9 Alan Gogaev (RUS)

With the absence of Magomed Kurbanaliev, Soslan Ramonov, and Ilyas Bekbulatov, 2010 world runner-up Alan Gogaev was finally able to be the world rep for the first time in five years, with his last time representing Russia being at the 2012 London Olympics, where he finished in 16th place. While Gogaev isn't an immediate medal threat, with his veteran savvy and solid hand fighting and positioning he has the ability to knock off guys who don't take him seriously. Gogaev has wins over No. 1 Ilyas Bekbulatov (RUS), No. 9 (70kg) Adam Batirov (BRN), No. 3 (74 kg) Khetik Tsabolov (RUS), and Olympic champion Soslan Ramonov (RUS). Gogaev is a very strong hand fighter and does an exceptional job matching head levels. Gogaev has a bit of an upright stance and really doesn't shoot that much. But when he does attack, he likes to go lefty elbow pass into a bodylock, go lefty knee pull single, or he'll go head in the hole front headlock to the right side.

No. 8 Meysam Nasiri (IRI)

Meysam Nasiri has done a good job of taking up the mantle left by 2014 world runner-up and 2015 world bronze Sayed Ahmad Mohammadi, who injured his knee in 2016 and his injuries and weight have kept him out since then. Nasiri dominated at the Asian championships, finished 15th in Rio, and was a bronze medalist at the Baku GGP to close out 2016. So far this year, Nasiri was bronze at the Asian championships after a loss to No. 6 Bajrang (IND) in the quarters and won the Islamic Solidarity Games title over No. 11 Magomed Muslimov (AZE). Nasiri also has a win over No. 16 Frank Molinaro (USA).  

Nasiri's preferred tie is left inside control, right underhook. He likes to go foot sweep off an over under or double unders. He's very strong for the weight and has a decent ankle pick off righty underhook. He has solid leg attacks off a front headlock and a low single re-attack off front head.

No. 10 Agaguseynov Mustafayev (AZE)

During the early half of the year, Mustafayev was not going to be the guy for Azerbaijan at 65kg, as he was bronze at the Azerbaijan National Federation Cup, which was won by No. 11 Magomed Muslimov (AZE). Later Mustafayev placed fifth at the Yasar Dogu, where he lost to No. 7 Mustafa Kaya (TUR) and unranked Sefa Askoy (TUR). But Mustafayev was able to turn around from his early half of the year and really show out at the Ali Aliyev Tournament, which was being used a final test tournament to determine the composition of the Azerbaijan national team. While there, Mustafayev beat Razambek Dzhamalov (RUS), Lkharmgarma Narmandakh (MGL), and Muslimov. By beating Muslimov, Mustafayev earned the spot.

Mustafayev has some very strong wins over the likes of No. 1 Ilyas Bekbulatov (RUS), No. 4 (70kg) Frank Chamizo (ITA), No. 16 Frank Molinaro (USA), No. 12 (70kg) Ikhtiyor Navruzov (UZB), and Kaya. Mustafayev is a really athletic guy who is hard to finish on and has a strong lefty drag. He likes to look for an arm throw right side, and if arm throw doesn't work he'll transition into wrap arm single off of it on same side. He will look wrist roll to snatch single on left side. He has a strong double and knee pull to right side. He also has good cross ankle pick/low single to right side and can hit it off of a re-attack.

Dark Horse

No. 7 Mustafa Kaya (TUR)

Having a top 10-ranked guy pegged as a dark horse would seem strange, but when you consider how inconsistent Kaya's performances can be it seems appropriate. You never really know which Kaya will come out in big matches. Will it be the one who pushes Frank Chamizo to the very limit at the 2016 European Championships finals? Or will it be the one who gets teched in one period by Zurab Yakobashvili this year at Euros? Even with Kaya's inconsistency being an issue, he has still notched some very impressive wins over No. 4 Zurab Yakobashvili (GEO), No. 10 Agaguseynov Mustafaev (AZE), No. 5 Boris Novachkov (BUL), No. 2 (61kg) Haji Aliyev (AZE), No. 8 Israil Kasumov (RUS), and No. 12 (70kg) Ikhtiyor Navruzov (UZB). Kaya has a strong arm spin and a good double. He likes to chest wrap a lot and has solid inside control throw-by to a knee pull single. Kaya likes to wrestle a lot from a 2-1, where he'll look for his knee pull single and double leg off of it.

70kg

Top-ranked James Green of the United States looks primed and ready to improve upon his bronze medal finish at the 2015 world championships with a world title in Paris. To do so, Green will have to navigate a beastly field that includes past world champion No. 4 Frank Chamizo (ITA) along with past world and Olympic medalists No. 3 Mostafa Hosseinkhani (IRI), No. 10 Mandakhnaran Ganzorig (MGL), No. 11 Akzhurek Tanatarov (KAZ), No. 12 Ikhtiyor Navruzov (UZB), No. 20 Yakup Gor (TUR), Elamin Dogdurbek Uulu (KGZ), and Mihail Sava (MDA). Without any further delay, let's breakdown what is one of my absolute favorite weights this year.

Title Contenders

No. 1 James Green (USA)

Although he never won an NCAA title while wrestling for Nebraska, four-time NCAA All-American James Green is in great position to cement himself as the best in the world this year in Paris and improve upon his bronze medal finish at the 2015 world championships. Green's body of work is absolutely impeccable with wins over No. 4 Frank Chamizo (ITA), No. 5 Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (RUS), No. 3 Mostafa Hosseinkhani (IRI), and No. 13 Gadjimurad Omarov (AZE).  

Green does a great job of getting guys moving off a pump fake and gauges distance well before getting in on his double and transitioning immediately to a leg lace. Green is very hard to get in on and finish leg attacks against, and he has a strong re-attack game off of his front head lock. Green has a solid righty sweep single and will bring up a right underhook off his sweep single to look for a knee pick. Other than pump fakes, Green usually likes to get his double leg off an elbow pop or an elbow pass.

No. 3 Mostafa Hosseinkhani (IRI)

After failing to medal as the No. 1-ranked guy going into the 2014 World Championships and then being stuck behind eventual world runner-up Hassan Yazdani-Charati in 2015, Mostafa Hosseinkhani was finally able to get a bronze medal at the 2016 World Championships with a win over 2013 74kg world bronze medalist Rashid Kurbanov (UZB). Since then, Hosseinkhani has been extremely consistent with an undefeated record at the World Cup and wins over No. 1 James Green (USA) and No. 20 Yakup Gor (TUR). Hosseinkhani also won a title at the Islamic Solidarity Games, where he beat No. 9 Adam Batirov (BRN) and No. 12 Ikhtiyor Navruzov (UZB).

Hosseinkhani loves to pressure in hard from tie-ups, where he'll use a lefty 2-1 to open up his left underhook. From there, he'll get a right reverse grip and look underhook throw-by into his snatch single or a cut across double. He's got a strong lefty high-C re-attack that he'll finish on the mat. Hosseinkhani does a great job of chasing down leg attacks off of go-behinds.

No. 4 Frank Chamizo (ITA)

Originally a world bronze medalist for Cuba in 2010 at 55kg, Chamizo transferred to Italy and moved up two weight classes and won Worlds in 2015 at 65kg after running through an absolute gauntlet of Togrul Asgarov (AZE), Sayed Ahmad Mohammadi (IRI), No. 12 Ikhityor Navruzov (UZB), and No. 7 Magomedmurad Gadzhiev (POL). In 2016, Chamizo would follow up his world title in Las Vegas with a bronze medal finish in Rio after a loss in the semifinals to eventual runner-up Togrul Asgarov (AZE). In 2017, Chamizo has won titles at the European Championships, the Ali Aliyev, and the Ion Cornianu, with his only loss this year coming at the Dan Kolov, where he lost to 2015 world champion No. 6 Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov (RUS). Chamizo also has wins over No. 3 (61kg) Logan Stieber (USA), Soslan Ramonov (RUS), and  No. 6 Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov (RUS).

Chamizo has some absolutely great big moves and loves to throw from an over under knee block. He has a great slide-by and double, but a lot of the foundation of Chamizo's game boils down to his great defense and smooth lefty sweep single. Chamizo does a really good job of setting up his lefty sweep single with downblocks and snatch singles. Chamizo's defense is multi-layered with great hands-head defense. Chamizo's scrambling and flexibility are absolutely insane and he has a great crotch lock, limp leg, and chest wrap. Even if an opponent gets on Chamizo, he gets easy go-behinds off guys getting so extended trying to finish on him. Chamizo also has a strong ankle pick that he can bring up to a double leg and finish well. Although he doesn't use it as much, Chamizo has a strong high crotch that he'll come out the backdoor to finish.

Medal Contenders

No. 11 Akzhurek Tanatarov (KAZ)

After a strong showing at the 2012 Olympics that culminated in a bronze medal finish, Tanatarov's career was up and down until late 2016 when he picked up a title at the Kunaev with wins over Russian stalwarts No. 5 Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (RUS) and No. 19 Evgeni Zherbaev (RUS). Tanatarov carried that momentum to the Asian Championships, where he beat Olympic bronze medalist No. 12 Ikhtiyor Navruzov (UZB) in the finals.

Tanatarov's resume is also highlighted by wins over No. 5 Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (RUS), Ramazan Shahihn (TUR), and Sushil Kumar (IND). Tanatarov is very much a counter wrestler and doesn't do generate much of his own offense at all, instead waiting for the other guy to attack. When he does counter, Tanatarov likes to go chest wrap go-behind, inside control slide-by, or look for a knee block throw. If he absolutely has to attack, Tanatarov does have a solid knee pull single.

No. 10 Mandakhnaran Ganzorig (MGL)

A two-time world bronze medalist down at 65kg, Mandakhnaran Ganzorig will be looking for his first world medal since 2014, after a pair of fifth-place finishes in 2015 and 2016. Ganzorig's had strong wins over No. 4 Frank Chamizo (ITA), No. 5 Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (RUS), No. 20 Yakup Gor (TUR), and No. 3 (65kg) Franklin Gomez (PUR).

Ganzorig likes to pressure in a lot with inside control and an underhook or tricep control and an underhook to open guys up. From there, he'll pound it into an over-under where he'll look left underhook throw-by into a snatch single and an ankle pick on the same side. Ganzorig will also look to pancake guys or arm spin them.

No. 5 Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (RUS)

After being stuck behind the incredible depth that Russia fields at 70kg, Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov finally broke through and made his first world team this year. Kadimagomedov was bronze at the Yarygin, where he beat No. 19 Evgeni Zherbaev (RUS) and Khusuy Suyunchev (RUS) but lost to No. 18 Zaurbek Sidakov (RUS). Kadimagomedov then went to the World Cup and lost to No. 1 James Green (USA) and No. 10 Mandakhnaran Ganzorig (MGL). While Kadimagomedov is a legit guy, nobody was thinking that he would get the nod over returning world champion No. 2 Magomed Kurbanaliev (RUS). Kadimagomedov started to turn heads at the Yasar Dogu, where he went and beat No. 6 Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov (RUS) and No. 7 Magomedmurad Gadzhiev (POL). Carrying that momentum from the Yasar Dogu, Kadimagomedov came in and won Russian Nationals and was able beat No. 15 Magomed Dibirgadzhiev (RUS) in the finals and avenge that early season loss to No. 18 Zaurbek Sidakov (RUS). Then as  a final qualifying tournament for the Russian team at 65, 86, 125, and 70kg, Kadimagomedov finished as a runner-up at the Ziolkowski to No. 4 (65kg) Zurab Yakobishvili (GEO).

Kadimagomedov has a double leg that he can finish straight on or cut across to finish along with solid drags off a 2-1 throw-by and some good knee block throws when the opportunity presents itself. Kadimagomedov is a strong scrambler with a good chest wrap, solid go-behinds, good limp legs, and a strong gas tank. One of Kadimagomedov's biggest issues is that he'll put himself in compromised position while looking for offense, such as reaching back for a lat toss or giving his opponents underhooks so that he can try a knee block throw off a whizzer. While this can work against more positionally lackadaisical opponents, it also puts Kadimagomedov in bad positions and gives up points in big matches.

No. 11 Ikhtiyor Navruzov (UZB)

Although he's been on the senior level since 2007, it wasn't until the 2015 World Championships that Ikhtiyor Navruzov really made his presence felt as a top guy in the world. At the 2015 Worlds, Noavruzov notched upsets over Olympic champion Soslan Ramonov (RUS) and two-time world bronze medalist and No. 10 Mandakhnaran Ganzorig (MGL), before losing to No. 4 Frank Chamizo (ITA) in the finals. Although many of the calls were dubious and some even were the cause of refs literally getting suspended, Navruzov was able to earn a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics with wins over No. 9 Adam Batirov (BRN), No. 3 Franklin Gomez (PUR), and No. 10 Mandakhnaran Ganzorig (MGL). So far this year, Navruzov didn't place at the Yasar Dogu, was a runner-up at the Asian Championships to No. 11 Akzhurek Tanatarov (KAZ), and was fifth at the Islamic Solidarity Games with losses to No. 3 Mostafa Hosseinkhani (IRI) and No. 9 Adam Batirov (BRN).

Navruzov also has wins over No. 1 James Green (USA) and Sushil Kumar (IND).  avruzov likes to pressure in a lot with a right side inside control or collar tie. Navruzov doesn't quite set up his shots that much, but he's got a strong double leg and matches levels well. Navruzov loves looking for reversals and exposures, be it stepping over his opponents' guts or chest wraps. Navruzov has an absolutely dirty arm spin that he'll hit on guys who reach or push in too hard on him.

Dark Horse

No. 13 Gadjimurad Omarov (AZE)

A two-time time U-23 European Championships finalist, Gadjimurad Omarov finally got over the hump and won his first U-23 European title this year over No. 18 Zaurbek Sidakov (RUS) after being a runner-up to Rasul Arsanaliev (RUS) the year before. Omarov put his name on the map in late 2015 when he beat world fifth-place finisher Azamat Nurikov (BLR) at the Alrosa Cup and then in 2016 when he beat No. 3 Mostafa Hosseinkhani (IRI). After that, Omarov hit a rough patch, failing to place at three consecutive tournaments until winning this year's U-23 European Championships. Omarov has strong wins over No. 3 Mostafa Hosseinkhani (IRI), Azamat Nurikov (BLR), and No. 18 Zaurbek Sidakov (RUS). Omarov is an athletic guy for the weight and has lefty sweep single and knee pull. Omarov has a solid lefty high crotch that he'll double off on the mat to finish. He likes to step over his opponents' whizzers a lot from a seatbelt/whizzer situation. He also uses a turk to open guys up from top.

74kg

Four-time world/Olympic champion and No. 1-ranked Jordan Burroughs (USA) will look to return to his winning ways after a ninth-place finish at the Rio Olympics. While Burroughs may not be the absolute sure fire lock that he was in the past, he's still absolutely one of the favorites to win in Paris. However, he will have to contend with a talented field that could push him to his very limit.

Title Contenders

No. 1 Jordan Burroughs (USA)

Since his disappointing finish in Rio, Jordan Burroughs looks to have regrouped and is back to his championship-winning form with strong showings at the World Cup, the U.S. Open and World Team Trials, and Grand Prix of Spain. Along the way, he has picked up wins over No. 8 Peyman Yarahmadi (IRI), No. 7 Kyle Dake (USA),  Atsamaz Sanakoev (RUS), and No. 11 Murad Suleymanov (AZE). Burroughs has an incredibly deep resume with his best wins being over Denis Tsargush (RUS), Aniuar Geduev (RUS), Saeed Goudarzi (IRI), No. 3 (86kg) David Taylor (USA), No. 2 Soner Demirtas (TUR), No. 4 Bekzod Abdurakhmanov (UZB), and No. 5 Jabrayil Hasanov (AZE).

Burroughs has his trademark double right into a leg lace, but there's more to his game than that. Burroughs has a strong low single to either side and does a great job of snapping his opponents down into a front headlock, where he'll look to get to his lefty head inside single and reload it up to a seatbelt and double off. He does a great job of setting up his shots with his hand fighting and pump fakes.

No. 2 Soner Demirtas (TUR)

Demirtas had been one of the more solid guys at 74kg throughout 2014-15 with strong showings at the European Championships but came up short at at worlds both times. Demirtas was able to maintain his early season form in 2016 on his way to a bronze medal finish at the Rio Olympics. So far in 2017, Demirtas won the European Championships with a late comeback over No. 11-ranked Murad Suleymanov (AZE) and a runner-up finish at the Islamic Solidarity Games, where he lost to No. 6 Muslim Evloev (KGZ) but notched wins over No. 4 Bekzod Abdurakhmanov (UZB) and No. 8 Peyman Yarahmadi (IRI).

Demirtas has strong wins over the likes of No. 4 Bekzod Abdurakhmanov (UZB), No. 5 Jabrayil Hasanov (AZE), No. 11 Murad Suleymanov (AZE), No. 18 Ali Shabanov (BLR), and No. 13 Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov (RUS). Demirtas matches levels really well and loves to set up his shots off over collar-tie snap downs. Demirtas likes to go elbow pass to a lefty head inside single and has a strong cross pick and a solid knee pull single. He also uses a right underhook throw-by to get a head inside single or double on the same side.

No. 4 Bekzod Abdurakhmanov (UZB)

Bekzod Abdurakhmanov has a history of notching upset wins, be it his win over then-No.1 ranked Mostafa Hosseinkhani (IRI) at the 2014 World Championships on his way to a bronze medal, beating Olympic champion Togrul Asgarov at the 2015 Baku GGP, or his stunning tech fall win over No. 1 Jordan Burroughs (USA) at the Olympics last year. Abdurakhmanov knows how to show up when the lights are on him. So far this year, Bekzod had an upset loss to Khalil Aminov (RUS) at the Yasar Dogu, won the Asian Championships over No. 6 Muslim Evloev (KGZ), and was a bronze medalist at the Islamic Solidarity Games.

Abdurakhmanov has great length for the weight class and has a strong double leg that he uses to get to his lefty head inside single. He'll then reload and double off or come out the backdoor to finish. Abdurakhmanov does a good job of going to a baseball grip and pulling in a 2-1 to set up his shots as well, and along with solid go behinds he has a very strong cradle.

No. 3 Khetik Tsabolov (RUS)

After winning a world title in 2014 down at 70kg, Tsabolov failed to make a world team the next two years. During that time, he still notched strong results, including titles at the 2015 Ziolkowski and 2016 Medved and wins over No. 1 (86kg) Hassan Yazdani Charati (IRI), No. 13 Ahmed Gadzhimagomedov (RUS), and No. 3 (86kg) David Taylor (USA). Tsabolov would struggle a bit in the early half of 2017, losing to No. 10 Kakhaber Khubezhty (RUS) and No. 13 Ahmed Gadzhimagomedov (RUS) at the Yarygin to place fifth and then losing in the finals of the Yasar Dogu to No. 6 Muslim Evloev (KGZ). Tsabolov turned it in for Russian Nationals, where he beat No. 9 Gadzhi Nabiyev (RUS) in the finals.

Tsabolov has an absolutely killer figure-four leg lace that once he gets it locked up, no matter how much a guy fights it, it's a match ender. Tsabolov's offense is mainly from a lefty high crotch that he'll reload into a fireman's carry or come out the backdoor to finish. He does a good job of chaining a knee pull single off of it as well. Off his lefty knee pull single, Tsabolov does a good job of reloading and doubling off on the mat. Tsabolov also has a solid lefty sweep single.

No. 6 Muslim Evloev (KGZ)

No one has quite made the jumps that Muslim Evloev has so far in 2017, from being the fifth-place finisher at 2015 Asian championships to the champion at the Yasar Dogu and Islamic Solidarity Games to the runner-up at the Asian Championships.

Evloev has strong wins over No. 3 Khetik Tsabolov (RUS), No. 2 Soner Demirtas (TUR), and Islam Kilic (TUR). Evloev is an adept scrambler and does a good job of hanging off to one side catching an ankle and reloading into his own shot and limp legs out and sits the corner well off of his opponents' shots. Offensively, Evloev has strong head in the hole go-behinds and a good cross pick. He has a really solid knee pull single that he'll finish by reloading it to a double and doubling off on the mat. He does a good job of coming out the backdoor and finishing on his shots.

Medal Contenders

No. 5 Jabrayil Hasanov(AZE)

After dominating at juniors as a super solid 66kg guy, Hasanov really put his name on the map back in 2010-11 when he transitioned to the senior level and immediately found success as a world bronze medalist in 2010 and 2011. Following a fifth-place finish at the Olympics, Hasanov bumped up to 74kg, where he struggled to find the same success he had at 66kg. While he had great regular seasons, he would falter at worlds, failing to place in 2013, 2014, and 2015. It wasn't until the 2016 Olympics that Hasanov finally medaled again, beating No. 4 Bekzod Abdurakhmanov (UZB) in the bronze medal match. After Rio, Hasanov wrestled at the Bundesliga in Germany, where he lost to No. 10 Kakhaber Khubezhty (RUS). He then won the Baku GGP over No. 20 Avtandil Kentchadze (GEO), and while there, he also pinned No. 11 Murad Suleymanov (AZE). So far in 2017, Hasanov wrestled at the Indian Pro Wrestling League, saw limited action at the World Cup, and then he lost to No. 8 Peyman Yarahmadi at the Islamic Solidarity Games and failed to place. 

Hasanov has a strong head in the hole series that he'll use to get go behinds or get to his leg attacks. Hasanov likes to hang with righty inside control and wait for guys to push back in. He also has a strong underhook throw-bys to a cut across double or a low double.

No. 8 Peyman Yarahmadi (IRI)

Peyman Yarahmadi has done a solid job of filling in for Hassan Yazdani Charati as the new rep for Iran at 74kg, but he hasn't quite reached Yazdani Charati's level of greatness. Nonetheless, Yarahmadi has been very solid with Asian championship and Takhti Cup titles in 2015. So far this year, Yarahmadi has notched a strong win over No. 5 Jabrayil Hasanov (AZE) but failed to place after losing to No. 4 Bekzod Abdurakhmanov (UZB).

Yarahmadi also has wins over No. 8 (70kg) Israil Kasumov (RUS), No. 11 Murad Suleymanov (AZE), and No. 17 Jumber Kvelashvili (GEO). Yarahmadi keeps strong position like most Iranians and loves to go head in the hole be it off an over-under or from a front headlock. Yarahmadi moves guys well from a lefty underhook, where he'll look to throw it by to a snatch single or off to a high double.

No. 18 Ali Shabanov (BLR)

A two-time world medalist, Shabanov had been out for a full year due to an ACL tear at the 2016 European Championships. When he returned at this year's European Championships, he finished 11th after a loss to No. 13 Ahmed Gadzhimagomedov (RUS). Shabanov rebounded with a title at the Ziolkowski, where he beat Galymzhan Usserbaev (KAZ) and Zhiger Zakirov (KAZ). Shabanov is more here due to his exceptional resume, which includes wins over No. 1 (86kg) Hassan Yazdani Charati (IRI), No. 2 Soner Demirtas (TUR), No. 5 Jabrayil Hasanov (AZE), Gadzhimagomedov, and Zelimkhan Khadjiev (FRA).

Shabanov has a strong chest wrap go-behind into his leg attacks that he uses to get to his solid head inside single. He holds center really well and has a solid right side sweep single re-attack. Off his opponents' leg attacks, he'll limp leg out, catch an ankle reload into a shot, and come out the backdoor to finish. He has a really strong underhook throw-by from an underhook and tricep control.

Dark Horse

Livan Lopez Azcuy (CUB)

Four-time world/Olympic medalist Livan Lopez Azcuy is looking for his first world medal since a bronze medal at 2014 Worlds. Lopez Azcuy has strong wins over the likes of Zelimkhan Khadjiev (FRA), No. 5 Jabrayil Hasanov (AZE),  No. 17 Jumber Kvelashvili (GEO), and No. 12 (70kg) Ikhtiyor Navruzov (UZB). Lopez Azcuy has a righty sweep single that he'll use to bring up a righty underhook and get a bodylock and step in and throw. He has a solid lefty drag to a high seatbelt.

97kg

We may see one of the most anticipated matches in international wrestling at this weight if three-time world/Olympic champion and No. 1-ranked Abdulrashid Sadulaev (RUS) meets two-time World/Olympic champion and No. 2-ranked Kyle Snyder (USA) in Paris. While it would be the match of the weight and arguably the whole tournament, both Olympic champions will have to navigate a solid field before they can face off against each other.

Title Contenders

No. 1 Abdulrashid Sadulaev (RUS)

During the early half of the 2017, it looked as though Sadulaev would continue to stay at 86kg, where he had earned his three world/Olympic titles, but in June Sadulaev announced that he would make the transition up to 97kg for Russian Nationals. Although he was an undersized 97kg, weighing in at only 93-94kg, Sadulaev showed the same level of dominance he had at 86kg until meeting 2013 Yarygin champion Vladislav Baitsaev in the finals, which Sadulaev won by a razor-thin 8-7 margin.

Sadulaev has strong wins at 97kg over the likes of No. 5 Reineris Salas Perez (CUB), No. 7 Elizbar Odikadze (GEO), the No.  13-ranked Baitsaev. On his feet, Sadulaev does an incredibly good job matching levels and has great hands-head defense. If someone does get in on Sadulaev's legs, he's got a great chest wrap that he'll use. Offensively, Sadulaev loves his underhooks, either going underhook throw-by to a knee pick or underhook throw-by into his sweep single on the left side. He'll also go knee pull single on the right side off of it as well. Sadulaev's fireman is very solid, and he does well to reload his high-C and finish if the carry doesn't work.

No. 2 Kyle Snyder (USA)

Snyder is a perfect example of the growth of the United States developmental program across all age groups and how it segues into great collegiate and international success. Snyder's two world/Olympic titles are a tangible golden sign of that growth. Snyder has strong wins over Abdusalam Gadisov (RUS), Khetag Gozyumov (AZE), No. 7 Elizbar Odikadze (GEO), No. 3 Magomed Ibragimov (UZB), Albert Saritov (ROU), and No. 11 Pavlo Oliinyk (UKR).  

Snyder has developed a really solid arm drag but is best known for his exceptional ability to recover and finish shots. He keeps great position throughout matches and has developed a pretty solid high gut. He has a great low single that he'll set up with an over collar tie snap down and use to double off on the mat or finish as a high single. He has a strong front headlock that he uses to move and snap guys into his leg attacks. Though it's not seen all too often, Snyder does have a solid high-C that he finishes well.

Medal Contenders

No. 3 Magomed Ibragimov (UZB)

Bronze last year at the Olympics, Magomed Ibragimov is originally a Russian transfer from Dagestan who transferred out in 2014 and didn't compete for Uzbekistan until 2016. In his time competing for Uzbekistan, Ibragimov won a bronze medal at the Olympics along with an Asian Championships title.

Ibragimov has strong wins over Reza Yazdani (IRI), No. 12 Valerii Andriitsev (UKR), and Albert Saritov (ROU). He loves to go 2-1 into a foot sweep or feed that 2-1 right into a whizzer and then go knee block throw off of that. He likes to go whizzer throwby into an ankle pick. He limp legs out of guys shots well and feeds them into his whizzer and has a very strong whizzer kick. He will go whizzer throw-by into a go-behind and has a head outside low single re-attack that he'll shoulder down to finish after stuffing a guy's shot.

No. 5 Reineris Salas Perez (CUB)

After a fifth-place finish in Rio at 86kg, where he lost to Selim Yasar (TUR) and J'den Cox (USA), Salas Perez decided to make the move to being a full-time 97kg at the Baku GGP in November 2016. It immediately paid off as a rejuvenated Salas Perez was a runner-up to 2014 world champion Abdusalam Gadisov (RUS) and beat No. 9 Aslanbek Alborov (AZE) and Roman Bakirov (AZE). Salas Perez also has strong wins over Ehsan Lashgari (IRI), Gamzat Ozmanov (AZE), and Pedro Ceballos Fuentes (VEN).   

Salas Perez likes to open guys up by going snap pump fake double. Once he gets in on his double, he will blast through it, or he'll come to a seatbelt and finish with a bodylock. Defensively, is where Salas Perez excels more, and his counters are absolutely exceptional. He has a really solid limp leg, and if guys get too extended on a shot he'll limp leg out to one side catch an ankle and transition right into his leg attack. Other than catching ankles, he'll also go butt drag off his opponents' shots as well. And if a guy gets in and brings up a shot to their feet, Salas Perez will clear it and transition right into a bodylock or drive through an underhook into his double leg.

No. 7 Elizbar Odikadze (GEO)

Inconsistency has been the cornerstone of Elizbar Odikadze's game, as he's shown himself capable of wrestling with and beating the very best at the weight over the years with great wins over the likes of Khetag Gozyumov (AZE), Sharif Sharifov (AZE), No. 2 Kyle Snyder (USA), and Reza Yazdani (IRI). However, he's also be capable of dropping head-scratching losses to lesser competition such as Ivan Yankouski (BLR), Mamed Ibragimov (KAZ), or No. 12 Abbas Tahan (IRI).

Odikadze has a more more upright stance and tries to open guys up by just pinching in on collar ties and leaning into them. He goes a solid job matching levels and then going right into a re-attack, which is usually a left side head inside single. That's his best shot, but he can go right side as well. If he's down in a match, he'll look for an over-under bodylock to an inside trip as well. When he's even the slightest bit ahead in matches, he'll tend to just stiff arm and circle out.

No. 8 Aslanbek Alborov (AZE)

Aslanbek Alborov really hasn't gotten that much exposure at 97kg for two reasons: Khetag Gozyumov and Sharif Sharifov. For the longest time, Alborov was third string behind Gozyumov, who was one of the best in the world, and Sharifov, who was the clear No. 2 after moving up following the London Olympics. With Gozyumov retired and Sharifov back down at 86kg, Alborov finally got the chance to be the rep for Azerbaijan. So far, Alborov has picked up a bronze medal at the Baku GGP and titles at the Yasar Dogu and Ali Aliyev.

Alborov has notched strong wins over No. 2 Kyle Snyder (USA), No. 8 Riza Yildirim (TUR), and No. 7 Elizbar Odikadze (GEO). Alborov is really strong for the weight and is a lefty lead and has a good drag go behind and likes to go elbow pass to set up his shots. But it's his shots that are just kind of strange. All of the entries on his shots are head inside singles, but even if he's in good position to finish a sweep or bring it up, he'll pop his head out and go finish it as a high-C or a double.

No. 10 Pavlo Oliinyk (UKR)

Oliinyk and No. 12 Valerii Andriitsev (UKR) have been part a duo that has earned four world medals since 2012, with Andriitsev capturing silver in 2012 and bronze in 2014 and Oliinyk taking bronze in 2013 and 2015. Continuing the trend of Oliinyk getting odd years and Andriitsev getting even, Oliinyk will be the world rep this year. I'm sure there's more to Ukraine's selection process than just some extremely basic mathematical pattern, but for these two that seems to be the case.

Anyway, Oliinyk has strong wins over No. 9 Riza Yildirim (TUR), Radoslaw Baran (POL), Kyvgen Gadson (USA), and No. 16 Abbas Tahan (IRI). Oliinyk has heavy hips and strong go-behinds, a sold lefty head inside single, and a strong low gut. He's really good when it comes to doubling off his snatch single.

Dark Horse

No. 9 Riza Yildirim (TUR)

Riza Yildirim announced himself on the scene this year with his title-winning performance at the European championships, where he beat No. 6 Anzor Boltukaev (RUS) and No. 7 Elizbar Odikadze (GEO). Besides the title at the European championships, Yildirim was the runner-up at the Yasar Dogu to No. 8 Aslanbek Alborov (AZE).

Yildirim has strong wins over the likes of No. 6 Anzor Boltukaev (RUS), No. 7 Elizbar Odikadze (GEO), No. 11 Valerii Andriitsev (UKR), Jake Varner (USA), and Mamed Ibragimov (KAZ). Riza Yildirim likes to keep guys upper body, where he attacks with a high dive. He also does a very good job of stuffing his opponents' shots.