2023 International Wrestling Rankings - Men's Freestyle

74 Zauerbek Sidakov

Zaurbek Sidakov losing was the story of Russian Nationals. Khetik Tsabolov knocked off the 2-time defending world champion in the quarterfinals. Tsabolov would go on to defeat 2016 70kg world champ #7 Magomed Kurbanaliev in the semis (in a controversial match) before falling to #1 Razambek Zhamalov in the finals. 

Razambek Zhamalov earned the #1 spot by winning Russian Nationals. He won a weight that had 4 former world champions! This should be proof enough to vault him to the top spot.

However, there is a compelling case to keep Zaurbek Sidakov in the #1 spot. He’s the defending World Champ and has 2 wins over Jordan Burroughs and Frank Chamizo. This is his first loss since January of 2018 (where he also lost to Tsabolov). However rankings are not a life-time achievement analysis (that is reflected more in the P4P), but are meant to show the current landscape of the weight. Russia believes Zhamalov to be the #1 guy right now, and will send him to the World Championships because he proved that at Russian Nationals. Sidakov might be more accomplished and could still represent Russia in Tokyo next year, but that does not mean he’s the best right now. That reward deservedly goes to Zhamalov by winning the weight that had the former #1 guy in it. 

Timur Bizhoev also had a great Russian Nationals by winning bronze. He defeated former World Champ and #9 ranked Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov and #15 Nikita Suchkov.

Questions or comments? Contact our ranker Jon Kozak on Twitter @KozakJon.