It’s Boltukaev’s World - 97kg Preview

Today, I'm previewing the weight I'm most excited about! Let’s take a look at 97kg and who will place.

The Contenders

No. 1 Anzor Boltukaev (RUS) - 2013 world bronze, 2016 European champ
No. 3 Khetag Gazyumov (AZE) - two-time Olympic bronze medalist
No. 4 Kyle Snyder (USA) - 2015 Pan-Am and world champion

Boltukaev has been so impressive this year that I’m starting to think he will moonwalk to a gold medal. He dominated his way through Yarygin, the European Championships, and Russian Nationals.

Anyone that big who can do a backflip to get out of a single leg is in the mix. He derives tremendous pressure from his overhook, and is not afraid to use his head for leverage.

To beat Boltukaev, you have to not get taken down. If you end up on the mat, he can transition into a gut wrench or a leg lace and end the match.

Boltukaev in Russian Nationals finals:


The gold standard of 97kg the past two Olympic cycles has been Khetag Gazyumov. While he “only” has one world title, there’s a reason he continues to medal year after year.

Boltukaev isn’t the only one who can end a match with a leg lace, and Gazyumov takedowns can sometimes end in his opponent bailing to set himself up to better defend the lace.

Gazyumov laces his way into the bronze-medal match:

The Dark Horses

No. 8 Valerii Andriitsev (UKR) - 2014 world bronze and 2012 Olympic silver
No. 10 Reza Yazdani (IRI) - 2011 and 2013 world champ
No. 12 Georgi Ketoev (ARM) - 2007 world champ and 20008 Olympic bronze

Yazani is not a dark horse due to skill level, but he is the second-best wrestler in the weight. That said, he hasn’t been healthy since 2013, and injuries ruined his last Olympics as well.

The Leopard of Juybar has the best leg attacks in the bracket, and will handfight his opponents to death. Even though he isn't at 100 percent, he could still medal.

This would be problematic for Valerii Andriitsev. The Ukrainian 97s have traded bronze medals this quad, but we saw him take silver behind Jake Varner in London. If there’s one thing you can count on, it’s rock-solid performances from Ukrainian upperweights.

Of all the Olympic previews I’ve written, Ketoev might be the biggest dark horse. The former Russian resurfaced this year in Armenia.

Ketoev was a 2007 world champion and 2008 Olympic bronze medalist for Russia. Last we saw him before this year was the 2013 Ivan Yarygin.

Ketoev goes big at the Olympic qualifier:


One thing most 97s have a difficult time getting is four-pointers, which Ketoev has been able to do in almost all of his matches this year. Though it may not be the same quality of opponent he will see in the Olympics, having fours in your back pocket is crucial to winning criteria matches.

How Kyle Snyder Can Medal

Everything is predicated on his ability to draw passive calls and finish low single leg attacks. To do that, Snyder will need to keep his foot planted in that center circle and commit to his ankle pick.

Last year, we saw Snyder’s low single and ankle pick get progressively better from World Team Trials to the Pan-Am Games to the World Championships in Vegas, but they have not been as effective this year.

Good variety of takedowns from Snyder:



Snyder has struggled clearing ties, and often ends up trying to shoot through his opponent’s elbows. There also is clearly a scouting report on him, as evidenced by Gazyumov’s straight leg stance at the Grand Prix of Germany.

It seems unlikely that Snyder has developed a par terre turn in the past few months, which already leaves him behind the competition. It didn’t hurt him last year at worlds, so the hope is Lou Rosselli and the Team USA coaches have corrected any set-up issues Kyle may have with his shot.

Predictions

GOLD: Anzor Boltukaev, Russia
SILVER: Khetag Gazyumov, Azerbaijan
BRONZE: Reza Yazdani, Iran
BRONZE: Kyle Snyder, USA
FIFTH: Georgi Ketoev, Armenia
FIFTH: Valerii Andriitsev, Ukraine

Olympic Wrestling Previews:

Men's Freestyle: 57KG | 65KG | 74KG | 86KG | 97KG | 125KG
Women's Freestyle: 48KG | 53KG | 63KG | 75KG
Greco Roman: 59KG | 75KG | 85KG (Coming 8/14) | 130KG

Top Matches Of Olympians:

Men's Frestyle: Daniel Dennis | Frank Molinaro | Jordan Burroughs
J'den Cox | Kyle Snyder | Tervel Dlagnev

Greco Roman: Jesse Thielke | Andy Bisek | Robby Smith | Ben Provisor (Coming 8/14)
Women's Freestyle: Haley Augello | Helen Maroulis | Elena Pirozhkova | Adeline Gray

Know A Foreign Hammer:

Toghrul Asgarov | Roman Vlasov | Taha Akgul
Saori Yoshida | Anzor Boltakaev | Abdulrashid Sadulaev
Anuiar Gedeuv | Erica Wiebe | Soronzonbold Battsetsegg
Hamid Soryan | Vladimir Khinchegashvili

2016 Olympic Wrestling Schedule