The 2024 U23 World Championships are underway in Tirana, Albania with men’s freestyle wrestlers set to take the mat October 25-27. Check out the below article for a full breakdown with predictions for each Team USA wrestler at U23 Worlds.

57 kg: Max Gallagher

Top 57 kg Contenders:

• Iunus Iavbatirov, AIN (RUS)
• Manvel Khndzrtsyan, ARM - 2023 U23 World Silver 2021 U23 World Bronze, 2021 U20 World Bronze
• Luka Gvinjilia, GEO - 2024 U20 World Bronze - Beat Brandon Courtney
• Chirag, IND - 2021 U17 World Bronze
• Muhammet Karavus, TUR - 2021 U20 World Silver

57 kg is relatively deep with several past age-level world medalists in the field. Karavus, Khndzrtsyan, and Gvinjilia are the front runners for gold - I give a slight edge to Karavus who has a past win over Zane Richards. With this many top-level competitors in the field, it will be a challenge for Max Gallagher to navigate his way to a medal match. 

Prediction for Max Gallagher - DNP

61 kg: Nic Bouzakis

Top 61 kg Contenders:

• Bashir Magomedov, AIN (RUS) - 2023 U23 World Gold
• Ebrahim Khari, IRI - 2024 U20 World Silver
• Meiryu Akamine, JPN

There aren’t as many top-tier contenders at 61 kg as at 57 kg but Bashir Magomedov is one of the best wrestlers in the field at any weight. Magomedov is the returning U23 World Champion and even has a win over past 2021 senior world champion Abasgadzhi Magomedov. Beyond that, Bashir was this year’s runner-up at Russian Nationals, losing only to world and Olympic champion Zaur Uguev (2-0). After Magomedov, Iran’s Khari and Japan’s Akamine will be tough challenges for Bouzakis. Even with these guys in the bracket, I still like Bouzakis’ chances to bring home a medal.

Prediction for Nic Bouzakis - BRONZE

65 kg: Josh Saunders

Top Contenders:

• Ibragim Ibragimov, AIN (RUS) - 2023 U23 World Gold
• Abdullah Toprak, TUR - 2023 U23 World Bronze, 2023 U20 World Bronze, 2021 U17 World Gold
• Umidjon Jalolov, UZB - 2022 U20 World Gold, 2019 U17 World Gold
• Khamzat Arsamerzouev, FRA - 2022 U20 World Bronze
• Abbas Ebrahimzadeh, IRI

The field at 65 kg is loaded with Russia’s Ibragimov leading the way as the returning U23 world champion. Ibragimov is one of Russia’s best 65 kg wrestlers regardless of age and has past wins over world champion Gadzhimurad Rashidov, world medalist Vazgen Tevanyan, along with several other top ranked guys at 65 kg. Beyond Ibragimov, Toprak, Jalolov, Arsamerzouev, and Ebrahimzadeh are all high-level wrestlers that will make it difficult for Saunders to win a medal.

Prediction for Josh Saunders - DNP

70 kg: John Wiley

Top 70 kg Contenders:

• Magomed Eltemirov, AIN (RUS)
• Magomed Khaniev, AZE
• Sujeet, IND - 2022 U20 World Bronze
• Yoshinosuke Aoyagi, JPN - 2023 U23 World Silver, 2022 U20 World Bronze, 2019 U17 World Bronze
• Mustafo Akhmedov, TJK

There aren’t as many wrestlers with world-level achievements at 70 kg as 65 kg but this weight class still has depth that will make it difficult for Wiley to place. Eltemiro and Khaniev are two wrestlers who haven’t yet had the opportunity to wrestle at age-level worlds but should be considered favorites in this bracket. Khaniev was Azerbaijan’s senior rep at worlds last year and even won the 2023 Yasar Dogu by defeating U20 World champion Ali Abbas Rezai in the finals. Eltemirov won a bronze medal at Russian Nationals this year where he lost only to eventual champ and Russia’s senior rep Inalbek Sheriev (4-0). After those two, Japan’s Yoshinosuke Aoyagi is a threat to win gold after placing second at last year’s U23 Worlds.

Prediction for John Wiley - DNP

74 kg: Mitchell Mesenbrink

Top 74 kg Contenders:

• Ismail Khaniev, AIN (RUS)
• Dzhabrail Gadzhiev, AZE - 2022 U20 World Gold, 2021 U20 World Silver, 2019 U17 World Gold
• Ali Abbas Rezaei, IRI - 2024 U20 World Gold, 2023 U20 World Silver, 2021 U17 World Bronze
• Kota Takahashi, JPN - 2022 U23 World Bronze, 2018 U17 World Silver

Mitchell Mesenbrink is Team USA’s best chance for gold at U23s and he should face a few worthy challengers in Albania. Azerbaijan’s Dzhabrail Gadzhiev might be the best of the bunch with some quality senior-level wins under his belt and plenty of experience internationally. After Gadzhiev, Iran’s Rezaei is coming off a U20 world title where he defeated Team USA’s LaDarion Lockett in the finals. Kota Takahashi is another guy to watch out for - he defeated former Russian and Olympian Viktor Rassadin earlier this year in the finals of the 2024 Asian Championships. Even with all of these competitors in the field, I’m still picking Mesenbrink to come out on top for gold.

Prediction for Mitchell Mesenbrink - GOLD

79 kg: Patrick Kennedy

Top 79 kg Contenders:

• Arsen Balaian, AIN (RUS)
• Ali Tcokaev, AZE - 2023 U20 World Bronze
• Feng Lu, CHN - 2024 Olympian
• Otari Adeishvili, GEO - 2022 U20 World Bronze
• Mahdi Yousefi, IRI - 2024 U20 World Bronze
• Mukhammad Abdullaev, KGZ - 2021 and 2022 U20 World Bronze

79 kg has great depth but doesn’t have a wrestler clearly separated from the rest. This weight more than any is wide open and I wouldn’t be surprised if one of 6-7 wrestlers reached the finals. I think Patrick Kennedy will be right in the mix with most of these top contenders and will need to defeat two or three to win a medal. 

Prediction for Patrick Kennedy - BRONZE

86 kg: John Gunderson

Top 86 kg Contenders:

• Arslan Bagaev, AIN (RUS) - 2023 U23 World Bronze, 2019 U17 World Silver
• Arsenii Dzhioev, AZE - 2024 Senior Euro Bronze
• Rakhim Magamadov, FRA - 2022 U20 World Gold
• Vladimeri Gamkrelidze, GEO - 2023 Senior World Silver, 2022 U23 World Gold, 2023 U23 World Bronze, 2024 Olympian
• Abolfazl Rahmani, IRI - 2024 U20 World Bronze
• Aaron Ayzerov, ISR

86 kg is loaded with several wrestlers who have had success both on the senior level and at age-level world championships. Arslan Bagaev won Russian Nationals in 2023 and even has a win on his ledger over 2024 Olympic Champion Magomed Ramazanov. Arseni Dzhioev doesn’t have an age-level world medal yet but he did defeat Bagaev earlier this year. Gamkrelidze might be the most credentialed of the bunch and won silver at the senior world championships last year. Even with that talent in the field, I still think very highly of Gunderson; especially after he won U23 Nationals with victories over Dylan Fishback, Lucas Cochran, and Sam Fisher. I’m predicting Gunderson will surprise some people this tournament and bring home a medal.

Prediction for John Gunderson - BRONZE

92 kg: Jacob Cardenas

Top 92 kg Contenders:

• Amir Firouzpour, IRI - 2022 U23 World Gold, 2021 & 2022 U20 World Gold, 2021 U23 World Bronze, 2019 U17 World Gold
• Mustafagadzhi Malachdibirov, AIN (RUS) - 2024 U20 World Gold
• Andro Margishvili, GEO - 2022 & 2023 U23 World 5th

Amir Firouzpour is the top dog at this weight and the returning U23 World champion. Firouzpour has several high-level senior wins in his young career and would be a threat to medal at senior worlds if he weren’t behind Kamran Ghasempour. In fact, Firouzpour teched Jacob Cardenas 10-0 back in the 2022 U23 World Finals. After Firouzpour, Russia’s Malachdibirov is coming off a gold medal performance at U20 Worlds and will be an interesting challenger to watch in this field. Even with Firouzpour and Malachdibirov in the field, I still feel confident picking Cardenas to bring him a medal.

Prediction for Jacob Cardenas - SILVER

97 kg: Massoma Endene

Top 97 kg Contenders:

• Shamil Imam Gadzhialiev, AIN (RUS)
• Aslan Abakarov, AZE
• Merab Suleimanishvili, GEO - 2022 U20 World Bronze
• Mahdi Hajiloueian, IRI - 2021 U20 World Silver
• Rizabek Aitmukhan, KAZ - 2023 Senior World Gold, 2024 U20 World Gold, 2023 U20 World Silver
• Radu Lefter, MDA - 2021 & 2023 U23 World Silver, 2024 Olympian

2024 is loaded with talent including 2023 senior world champion Rizabek Aitmukhan. The young wrestler from Kazakhstan has quickly inserted himself as one of the best wrestlers in the world at 97 kg and will be a big favorite to win gold. After Aitmukhan, there are several medal contenders that will make it difficult for Endene to reach the podium in Albania.

Prediction for Massoma Endene - DNP

125 kg: Lucas Stoddard

Top 125 kg Contenders:

• Abdulla Kurbanov, AIN (RUS) - 2023 Senior World 5th, 2023 U23 World 5th
• Solomon Manashvili, GEO - 2022 U23 World Silver
• Amirreza Masoumi, IRI - 2022, 2023, & 2024 U20 World Gold, 2022 U23 World Gold, 2021 U17 World Gold
• Alen Khubulov, BUL - 2019 U20 World Bronze

Amirreza Masoumi will look to win his 6th age-level world title at U23s and will be a big favorite. Masoumi is a giant heavyweight and one of the best in the world ranked behind only Amir Zare and Geno Petriashvili. Masomi should dominate to gold but Kurbanov, Manashvili, and Khubulov are the next best of the heavies that will challenge for silver. With this top tier at the weight, I think it will be challenging for Stoddard to win a medal but he wrestled great at U23 Nationals and with the right draw he’s capable of reaching a medal match. 

Prediction for Lucas Stoddard - 5th Place

Team Prediction - 3rd Place

I’m predicting Team USA will win 5 total medals - 1 gold, 1 silver, and 3 bronze. Considering Russia and Iran have strong teams at U23s, I don’t expect that to be enough to challenge for first place. However, I think a third-place finish is realistic but they’ll need point production from at least 7-8 wrestlers in order to win a team trophy.