As the Olympic Games approach, we’re going through a series of articles looking at which countries are historically the best at each Olympic weight. This article will continue our series by looking  65kg, and analyzing the results from the World Championships and Olympic Games since 2014 and 2000. 

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The Best Country At 65 kg Since 2014

Since 2014, Russia has dominated the 65 kg weight class winning 4 golds and 9 total medals. What might be more impressive about their run over the past 10 years is that they achieved this success with 6 different wrestlers. Beyond that, Russia didn’t wrestle in the 2022 World Championships so they medaled at 65 kg at every Worlds/Olympics in this time frame. 

Russia also won’t be competing at the Olympics in Paris, and one might think that would make things a lot easier for Zain Retherford or any other wrestler at 65 kg. While Russia’s Shamil Mamedov (2023 world bronze) won’t be in the bracket, there are still three former Russians competing at 65 kg who are now representing other countries - Ismail Musukaev (HUN), Islam Dudaev (ALB), and Georgy Okorokov (AUS). Musukaev is the most notable of the bunch and is the returning world champion at 65 kg.

65 kg Medals By Country Since 2014

Who Have Been The Best Wrestlers At 65 kg?

As mentioned above, 6 different Russians have won medals at 65 kg over the past 10 years but Soslan Ramonov is the only rep from Russia to win two gold medals (2014 Worlds and 2016 Olympics). Beyond Ramonov, Takuto Otoguro also had two gold medals but only medaled twice (2018 Worlds and 2020 Olympics). India’s Bajrang Punia has won 4 total medals in the last 10 years - the most of any one wrestler at the weight. Interestingly enough, Bajrang didn’t make India’s Olympic team this year and India’s representative didn’t go on to qualify for the Paris Games. 

Medalists At 65 kg Since 2014

*Denotes 65 kg Paris Olympian

Of the above wrestlers who have medaled at 65 kg in the past 10 years, 7 will be competing in Paris at 65 kg: Ismail Musukaev (HUN), Alejandro Valdes (CUB), Haji Aliyev (AZE), Rahman Amouzad (IRI), Sebastian Rivera, Vazgen Tevanyan, and Tulga Tumur-Ochir (MGL). Of those wrestlers, Musukaev and Amouzad have the opportunity in Paris to win their second gold and cement themselves as one of their generation's best 65 kg wrestlers. 

65 kg Since 2000

Going back a little further can help tell an even deeper story of this weight class and provide a fuller picture of the changes that have taken place since 2000. Before we get into the numbers, it’s worth noting that weight classes have changed since 2000, and the following weights were used for the below data 63 kg (2000-2001), 65 kg (2014-Present), and 66 kg (2002-2013).

65 kg Medals By Country Since 2000

As the above chart shows, Russia is the clear leader of this weight class since 2000. After Russia, Cuba, and Iran come in at second and third. Cuba’s Alejandro Valdes is now 35 years old and hasn’t medaled since 2018. It’s unlikely he’ll bring home another medal from these Olympic Games but he’s still a competitor to watch out for at the Olympics. Japan also has a rich history of success at 65 kg and their representative this year, Kotaro Kiyooka, will look to continue the success of Tokyo gold medalist Takuto Otoguro.

What Does This Mean For Zain Retherford At The Paris Olympics?

So, what does all this have to do with Zain Retherford at the Paris Olympics? Obviously, these numbers will be thrown out the window once the wrestlers take the mat in Paris. However, the above data does show how difficult it has been for members of Team USA to reach the medal stand at 65 kg. Over the past 24 years, only Jamil Kelly (Silver in 2004), Bill Zadick (Gold in 2006), and Yianni Diakomihalis (Silver in 2022) have won medals for Team USA. If Zain Retherford wins gold, or even makes the medal stand, it will be incredibly impressive because of the depth of talent in the world and Team USA’s past challenges to bring home hardware at 65 kg.