2022 World Championship Rankings - Men's Freestyle

65 - Takuto Otoguro

After winning the Tokyo Olympics, Takuto Otoguro is the favorite for gold at the 2022 World Championships. However, Otoguro hasn't wrestled since the Olympics and isn't wrestling at the upcoming Asian Championships. Should Otoguro sit out this year, Ismail Musukaev looks to be the favorite coming off a European Championships and win over Olympic silver medalist Haji Aliyev. 

Three-time world medalist and 2020 Olympic bronze medalist Bajrang Punia is also a legitimate title threat at 65kg. Seeding may be important for Bajrang as he has lost three matches to Takuto Otoguro and Haji Aliyev. Look for Punia to wrestle at the Asian Championships to increase his seed at worlds this year.