2016 Cadet Worlds Foreign Greco Preview
Earlier this morning, we covered the American team being sent to Cadet Worlds for Greco. Now let's check out some of the best international stars for the classic style.
42kg
There are 15 athletes pre-registered for the lightest weight. Both European finalists are entered, as Vladyslav Kuzko (UKR) eked out a criteria victory over Anvar Allakhiarov (RUS) there. The Asian finalists will also be here, with Omid Hossein Arami (IRI) coming out on top 2-0 over Rohan Prakash Bhosale (IND). Arami was also 3-0 at the Yadegar Imam Cup, a dual tournament for countries.
Kuzko is the only athlete returning from last year’s bracket but he was 0-1 in Sarajevo. Euro bronze Giorgi Chkhikvadze (GEO) has had a strong season, winning the Azerbaijan Wrestling Federaion Cup, and getting silver at the Temo Kazarashvili tourney last month, albeit up at 46kg.
It appears Azerbaijan will be sending Euro fifth placer Azar Mukhtarli, even though he has lost twice to teammate Zaur Aliyev on the Cadet Greco circuit this season. It is expected Turkey will send Adem Burak Uzun, he was gold at Mahmut Atalay & Yasar Erkan tournament but did not make the quarterfinals at Euros.
46kg
Earlier this year, United World Wrestling instituted a new rule allowing countries to enter two athletes per weight at continental championships. Russia’s two guys met in the semis, though they are apparently sending the loser of that matchup, Guseyn Guseinov. Both Guseinov and his compatriot beat returning world medalists at Euros, leaving Russia as the favorite at this weight either way. Guseinov won the Samurgashev tourney back in May.
Kadir Kazim Kamal (TUR) is the only returning medalist here, he was silver last year. The Asian finalists were Mohammad Mashaealah Mehrabi (IRI) and Elbek Ergashev (UZB). Mehrabi also won the AWF Cup and went undefeated at Yadegar Imam, so we know he is a strong contender.
50kg
There are two heavy hitters in this bracket. Iran’s Poya Dad Marz is moving up from 42kg where he was the world champ and has shown no signs of slowing down up two weights as he won the Kazarashvili last month.
On the European front is Giorgi Shotadze, who worked his way through a very tough bracket in Stockholm to win Euros. In typical Georgian fashion, he will be dropping down from the 54kg where he competed this year, notably winning the AWF Cup.
Marz wins his world title
54kg
Armenia has a very strong team this year, as evidenced by Euro champ Shant Khachatryan. He bounced back from a 2-2 mark at the Imam to dominate in Sweden, getting two pins and two techs.
It is often difficult to get a bead on the Asian countries, as there is no video of their championships, they often send backups to the continentals, and in some cases only go to continentals without sending representation to worlds. This is the case as Kazakhstan won Asians but will send a different wrestler to Tbilisi.
58kg
There is a very fun rivalry brewing at this weight between Armenia and Georgia. Tigran Minasyan (ARM) was bronze at 54kg a year ago, and teched this year’s Asian champ from Iran at worlds. But he has several losses to Leri Abuladze, the Euro bronze medalist who also won AWF Cup and the Mahmut Atalay this season.
Abuladze’s only loss was to Dmytro Miroshnyk (UKR), who wound up silver to Abdul Samet Basar of Turkey. Keep your eye on those two and Asian runner-up Yusupov of Uzbekistan to cause some headaches when the draws are released.
63kg
This is an extremely difficult weight to project. The European and Nordic champ from Norway is not slated to attend, meaning the best guy in the world could be sitting at home. However, Asian champ Alikhan Kokenov will be there for Kazakhstan, though he had some very close matches there last month.
Kazarashvili champ Hrachya Poghosyan (ARM) was underwhelming at Euros, as was AWF champ Javid Maraliyev (AZE). The theme continues with Ismail Gun (TUR), winner of two tourneys in Mahmut Atalay and Refik Memisevic Brale but was unable to even score a team point in Sweden for Euros.
No one went undefeated at the Imam, and several cadet level tourney winners are not going, leaving some huge question marks for this day one weight.
69kg
Another weight in which the Asian champ is not pre-registered. Ulvi Ganizade (AZE) is a returning bronze medalist who has had a very strong season. He went 4-0 at the Imam Cup, including a 9-3 win over Asian bronze and Kazarashvili champ Mahmoud Rostami of Iran. Ganizade also won the AWF Cup, but was knocked off at Euros.
Malkhas Amoyan is one of the leaders on this Armenian squad. He beat Ganizade at Euros, which he ended up winning. Amoyan just took fifth at 66kg at junior worlds, and is coming up from 63kg where he won bronze last year.
76kg
I highly recommend you check out the behind the dirt Mike Mal did on Aleksandr Komarov. The Russian stud is one of two returning world champs, along with Poya Dad Marz. He won last year at 69kg, went 85kg for Euros and Samurgashev, but looks to be dropping to 76kg to help the team.
Komarov techs in the world finals
85kg
Komarov has a very tough teammate in Stanislav Pseunov, and Russia decided to slot both of them in for team point purposes.