Two-time Olympic gold medalist and five-time world champion Abdulrashid Sadulaev will return to the mats and attempt the 2024 World Team at 92 kg. According to WrestRus, Sadulaev will compete in a wrestle-off on October 1 against Alan Bagaev for the world team spot. The winner of that match will compete at the 2024 Senior World Championships in Tirana, Albania taking place from October 28-31. 

Who Is Sadulaev's Opponent?

As mentioned above, Sadulaev will wrestle Alan Bagaev in the wrestle-off on Tuesday. Bagaev won the 92 kg bracket at the 2024 Russian Nationals and is also notably a U20 (2019) and U17 (2017) World Champion. However, Bagaev also wrestled at the 2023 U23 World Championships but failed to place after losing to American Jacob Cardenas, 4-3. Sadulaev will be a big favorite entering this match and should be able to handily defeat Bagaev.

Potential David Taylor vs Abdulrashid Sadulaev Match At Worlds

If Sadulaev does win the wrestle-off, it would set 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.