Two-time Olympic gold medalist and five-time world champion Abdulrashid Sadulaev returned to the mats and winning a wrestle-off against Alan Bagaev to make the 2024 World Team at 92 kg Sadulaev will now compete at the 2024 Senior World Championships in Tirana, Albania taking place from October 28-31. 

Sadulaev's Win Over Alan Bagaev

As mentioned above, Sadulaev defeated Alan Bagaev in his wrestle-off to make the world team. Bagaev won the 92 kg bracket at the 2024 Russian Nationals and is also notably a U20 (2019) and U17 (2017) World Champion. In their match on Tuesday, Sadulaev got off to an early, 4-1 lead after an early four-point counter off of Bagaev's shot. Then Sadulaev scored another two points on a chest wrap but Bagaev secured another 1 point for a reversal.

In the second period, Sadulaev displayed incredible defense after Bagaev was close to scoring several times but Sadulaev countered with a takedown to extend his lead to 8-2. While on top. Sadulaev capitalized on his signature gut wrench to take a 10-2 lead. Bagaev mounted a slight comeback with two-takedowns and a step-out but couldn't generate enough offense to pull-off the complete comeback. In the end, Sadulaev came out on top, 10-7.

Sadulaev's win over Bagaev:

Potential David Taylor vs Abdulrashid Sadulaev Match At Worlds

Sadulaev's win now sets up a potential super-match with David Taylor at the 2024 Senior World Championships. Taylor most recently made Team USA's world team at 92 kg when he won the world team trials by defeating 92 kg world bronze medalist Zahid Valencia in two straight matches. That means we could have one of the most highly anticipated meetings of all time between Olympic champions David Taylor and Abdulrashid Sadulaev at this year's World Championships.