While Russia has been banned from World and Olympic competitions by the IOC and UWW, they haven't stopped wrestling. In June they had Russian Nationals, you can find all of those results HERE. This past weekend they had basically another Russian Nationals, but called it Spartakaid, and it was awesome. Some awesome matches, big upsets, and massive takeaways.

The three most recent Olympic champions for Russia, Zaur Uguev, Zaurbek Sidakov, and Abdulrashid Sadulaev, did not compete as "they have not gained the necessary condition." However, it appears as though the plan is for them to compete at the Alexander Medved Grand Prix in Minsk in September!

Take a look at the Spartakaid results and takeaways below.

Champions

57 kg: #5 Ramiz Gamzatov

61kg: #11 Akhmed Idrisov

65kg: #9 Shamil Mamedov

70kg: #8 Kurban Shiraev

74kg: #5 Razambek Zhamalov

79kg: #14 Magomed Magamaev

86kg: #3 Artur Naifonov

92kg: #14 Guram Chertkoev

97kg: #18 Alikhan Zhabrailov 

125kg: #6 Eric Dzhioev

Most Notable Matches

57 kg 1/16: #13 Azamat Tuskaev over #4 Nachyn Mongush, 4-4

61kg final: #11 Akhmed Idrisov over #1 Abasgadzhi Magomedov, 4 - 3

65kg final: #9 Shamil Mamedov over #7 Gadzhimurad Rashidov, 4-1

65 kg 1/16: #11 Alik Khadartsev over #4 Ibrahim Ibragimov. 7-3

70 kg semi: #8 Kurban Shiraev over #6 Ruslan Zhendaev, 5-2

70 kg final: #8 Kurban Shiraev over #12 (65 kg) Zagir Shakiev, 4-1

74 kg final: #5 Razambek Zhamalov over #6 David Baev, 9-1

79 kg quarterfinal: Kakhaber Khubezhty over #4 Radik Valiev, 11-9

86 kg final: #3 Artur Naifonov over #3 (at 79) Malik Shavaev, 2-0

Biggest Takeaways

Abasgadzhi Magomedov Controversially Shows He's Human

You can go ahead and fast forward to about the 8-minute mark on the video above. The 61 kg final was really rather boring until the last 30 seconds. Idrisov hits a single and it appears as though Abasgazhi monkey rolls him through for two, but the officials rule two for Idrisov. I'm not sure if it was the right call, but either way, Abasgazhi left it up to the officials and lost. This is something nobody would have predicted considering Abasgadzhi is the reigning World champion and hasn't lost since the 2020 Yarygin.

Idrisov might be a real threat to Abasgazhi. Also a Dagestani, Idrisov lost to Abasgazhi 4-2 at Russian Nationals back in June. However, that was one of his first competitions up at 57 kg. 

Rashidov's Run Is Likely Over

Gadzhimurad Rashidov has held the Russian 65 kg spot for the past three years, but the 2019 Word champ and 2021 Olympic bronze medalist is no longer the front runner. This isn't out of nowhere as Rashidov lost to Gadzhimurad Omarov at Russian Nationals in June, but this weekend proved that was no fluke and the field has caught up to him. However, there isn't a clear successor to the 65 kg throne. Russian Nationals champion Ibrahim Ibragimov fell in the very first round. 

74 kg Is Going To Be The Most Fun Weight Class

Kurban Shiraev has been touted as one of the next big stars for a while now. A 2X Yarygin champion, he trains at one of the premiere clubs in Dagestan, Iskra Wrestling Club. Just 23 years old, he hasn't been able to crack through to the #1 spot though...yet. But after finally winning his first big senior-level Russian tournament, he claims he might be moving up to 74 kg. This sparked this interaction on Instagram with 74 kg champ Razambek Zhamalov, who looked outstanding in his own right. Toss in Sidakov and 74 kg becomes one of, if not the, most intriguing weight classes.

Malik Shavaev Could Be Dangerous At 86 kg

Currently ranked #3 at 79 kg, Malik Shavaev looked solid in his 86 kg debut. Although 2021 Olympic bronze medalist Artur Naifonov still won the weight without giving up a point, Shavaev only lost 2-0 with both points being shot clock points. Shavaev showed he could be a threat and this could be the beginning of a fun rivalry.

Russia Still Doesn't Have A World Champion Heavyweight Threat

If Russia wrestles in a World Championship or Cup anytime soon, it appears as though they will still likely struggle at heavyweight. 2022 Russian Naitonals champion Alen Khubolov lost in the semis to unranked Vitaly Goloev, who lost in the finals to Russian Nationals bronze medalist Eric Dizhoev. Dizhoev is a medal threat, but no way can he compete with the likes of Zare, Akgul, or Petriashvili.

Brackets

Bronze matches

Petr Kopylov over Ismail Ilyasov, 10 - 0

Muslim Sadulaev over Khuresh Donduk-Ool, 6 - 2

Bronze matches

Chermen Tavitov over Yakov Pavlov, 8 - 1

Muslim Mekhtikhanov over Kezhik Mongush, 10 - 9

Bronze matches

Aripgadzhiyav Abdulaev over Dzhambulat Kizinov, 12 - 0

Alik Khadartsev over Ramazan Ferzaliev, 13 - 8

Bronze Matches

Inalbek Sheriev  over Ruslan Zhendaev, 12 - 4

Alan Kudzoev over Ildus Giniyatullin, 2 - 0

Bronze Matches

Artem Umarov over Robert Dzukaev, 3 - 2

Timur Bizhoev over Mokhmad Nasirkhaev, 7 - 6

Bronze Matches

Akhmed Usmanov over David Betanov, 7-1

Kakhaber Khubezhty over Magomet Kardanov, 11-4

Bronze Matches

Slavik Naniev over Arslan Bagaev, 4-4

Dauren Kurugliev over Omar Ziyautdinov, 3-0

Bronze Matches

Alan Bagaev over Nyurgun Sergin, 6-1

Magomedmurad Baibekov over Marat Zanikoev, 10-0

Bronze Matches

Igor Ovsyannikov Igor over Nikita Akulinchev, 5-1

Sergey Kozyrev over Askhab Boltukaev, 8-0

Bronze Matches

Khasan Khubaev over Gamzat Alizhudinov, 8-2

Anzor Khizriev over Baldan Tsyzhipov, 2-0