The second and most action-packed day of the 2018 Russian Freestyle National Championships recently concluded. Here's what went down in Odintsovo. 

Finals for 57, 65, 74, 86 & 97kg

57kg: #4 Zauer Uguev (Dagestan) Defeats #18 Kuresh Donduk-Ool (Tuva) 7-1

The rematch of the Alans and Yarygin tournament final between Uguev and #5 Azamat Tuskaev (North Ossetia-Alania) fell through when Tuskaev was upset 3-1 by eventual bronze medalist #19 Aryan Tyutrin; Tyutrin would fall to #18 Donduk-Ool in the semis. Uguev kept up his side of the deal as the returning national champion by making the finals and then controlling the match with Donduk-Ool entirely with his underhooks. He stopped all of Khuresh-Ool’s low shots, and showed off his impressive upper body chops with a beautiful four pointer off an underhook throwby to a high bodylock and Uguev gave Khuresh-Ool a free ticket to Air Russia to secure himself the 7-1 win. This sort of performance puts faith back into Uguev being a legitimate world medal contender in Budapest whose defense and par-terre are a force to be reckoned with, and if Uguev can add some more diversity to his underhook based offense, he could be contending for gold.

65kg: #9 Akhmed Chakaev (Dagestan-Chechnya) defeats Bekhan Goygereev (Dagestan-Chechnya) 2-2

Returning bronze medalist #4 Naachin Kuular (Tuva Republic) was the highest ranked guy coming into the national tournament, but his run to the title would be cut short by a 3-1 loss to 2013 world champ and returning 61 KG bronze medalist Bekhan Goygereev. With Kuular’s loss, it was now Chakaev, a world bronze medalist in 2016 at 61 KG, who would be the favorite to win the national title. Chakaev made the national finals with a 4-0 win over 2017 U-23 world bronze medalist Islam Dudaev (Chechnya), and in the finals, Chakaev used his beastly right underhook to control Bekhan Goygereev to win 2-2 and avenge a 7-3 loss from last year’s 61 KG bronze medal match. Chakaev will now wrestle #2 Ilyas Bekbulatov at a later international tournament, likely the Medved or Ziolkowski in September, and Chakaev will look to avenge a 3-3 loss from this year’s Yarygin finals to Bekbulatov.

74kg: #6  Zaurbek Sidakov (Ossetia) defeats Khetik Tsabolov (Ossetia) 2-2

Tsabolov was a true test of just how much growth Sidakov had made since a disappointing fifth-place finish at RusNats last year down at 70 KG, and Sidakov passed with flying colors. With Tsabolov leading with 40 seconds left in the match, Sidakov hit a beautiful double and transition instantly right into a lace and finish it out of bounds. As Sidakov had yet to fully break down Tsabolov’s quad pod on his finish, it was initially only called a stepout, but Sidakov challenged the call and was given the takedown to take the 2-2 lead on criteria. Sidakov was able to hold off a charging Tsabolov for the next 30 seconds and earn his second national title, his first coming in 2016 at 70 KG. While it’s likely that Sidakov and Tsabolov will have another wrestle-off before worlds in September at the Ziolkowski or Medved, if Sidakov is to keep the spot at 74 KG, I like his chances of being a strong medal threat in Budapest. 

86kg: #4 Dauren Kurugliev (Dagestan) defeats 3 Artur Naifonov (Ossetia) 2-1

Kurugliev was the favorite going into last year’s Russian National tournament with titles at the Yarygin, Yasar Dogu, and European championships, yet Kurugliev dropped a stunning 1-1 loss in first round action to #11 Arsenali Musalaliev and not place when Musalaliev lost to eventual champ #5 Vladislav Valiev in the semis. Kurugliev was not to be denied this time, however, as he looked dominant on his path to the finals, beating returning national champ and world bronze medalist #5 Vladislav Valiev in the semis. Kurugliev avenged a 2015 loss to Valiev with a 2-0 win. In the finals, Kurugliev matched up with the red-hot #3 Artur Naifonov, who was coming off titles at the Alans, the Dan Kolov, and the European championship. Naifonov also notched a 3-2 win over Kurugliev in the Yarygin quarters. But Kurugliev continued his excellent run as he beat Naifonov 2-1 in the finals to pick up his first national title. 

Something that stood out to me about Kurugliev’s win was how he was able to stop Naifonov from getting to his vaunted outside step high crotch. Dauren controlled the handfight with his overcollar tie slideby which prevented Naifonov from using his overcollar tie snapdown to set up his outside step high C. It will be interesting to see if Russia decides to have Kurugliev and Naifonov wrestle off again in September at an international tournament, as Naifonov’s recent success appeared to cement him as Russia's guy moving forward. Either is a strong favorite to medal but Naifonov would seem to have the better argument of being the more consistent guy.

97kg: #1 Abdulrashid Sadulaev (Dagestan) defeats #4 Vladislav Baitsaev (Ossetia) 8-1

One of the most highly anticipated matches at Russian Nationals, three-time World/Olympic champ #1 Abdulrashid Sadulaev met up with #4 Vladislav Baitsaev in the finals at 97 KG in a rematch of last year’s national finals won 9-7 by Sadulaev. Sadulaev didn't look his best on his way to the finals, at least by his insane standards of dominance, getting stuck underneath on his knee pull singles and never scoring his exceptional gut wrench. 

While Sadulaev’s suffered a supposed "drop off" in performance, Baitsaev looked impressive with a dominant 10-0 tech fall win over #7 Rasul Magomedov in the quarters and a 3-2 victory over Igor Ovsyannikov in the semis. In the much-anticipated rematch, Sadulaev completely dominated Baitsaev 8-1. The adjustments Sadulaev made prior to the finals were key: he didn’t get slowed down from an underhook against Baitsaev; he always cleared Baitsaev’s ties; he subbed out his knee pull single for a perfect righty sweep single; he showed great savvy with his four points move off a quad pod on the edge; and showed off a beautiful swim Hi C to a double. With the form that Sadulaev showed against Baitsaev, one can only get more excited about the potential rematch between him and fellow three-time World/Olympic champ Kyle Snyder (USA) as each guy will be looking for their fourth World/Olympic gold medal.

Earlier In The Prelims Of 61, 70, 79, 92 & 125kg

Arpat Sat beat #1 Magomed Kurbanaliev 15-8 in the quarters

Arpat Sat (Tuva Republic) was a complete unknown going into nationals, whereas #1 Magomed Kurbanaliev was coming off Yarygin and European titles where he had notched wins over the likes of #6 Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov, #3 Zurab Iakobishvili, #5 Andrey Kviatkovski, and #4 Magomedmurad Gadzhiev. Sat paid no mind to this as he went after the 2016 world champ Kurbanaliev from the get-go, winning the match 15-8. Unlike last year, where then #1 Magomed Kurbanaliev lost 10-10 to eventual bronze medalist #10 David Baev, Sat went on to make the finals with a 1-1 win over Timur Nikolaev. Sat will have 2015 world champ #6 Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov in the finals tomorrow with Gazimagomedov looking as good as ever.

#14 Magomedrasul Idrisov’s impressed with his run to the 61 KG finals

Idrisov was coming off a dominant performance at the U-23 European championships where he teched his way through the tournament. While Idrisov did have wins last year at 57 KG over the likes of #5 Azamat Tuskaev and #6 Ibragim Ilyasov, he also lost to Dmitry Aksenov in the quarters. Idrisov went on to to do so much more than improve upon that finish. Idrisov drew three-time Russian national champ #2 Alexander Bogomoev and put an absolute beatdown on him. Idrisov manhandled the talented Buryat 9-0. Idrisov’s next standout performance came against Alans tournament runner-up #8 Zelimkhan Abakarov. Idrisov notched a clutch 1-1 win over Abakarov to make the 61 KG finals. Idrisov will wrestle 2015 57 KG National runner-up #3 Ismail Musukaev in a much-anticipated matchup.

#6 Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov reasserts himself on the scene

Coming into Nationals, #6 Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov earned runner-up finishes at both the Yarygin to #1 Magomed Kurbanaliev and the Ali Aliyev to #7(74) Akhmed Usmanov. In Odintsovo, Gazimagomedov found himself on the same side of the bracket as 2016 Olympic champ #2 Soslan Ramonov, and would have to get past #10 David Baev to even get a quarterfinal match against Ramonov. Gazimagomedov would do more than just make the quarterfinals, as he came back from a 3-0 early deficit to beat #10 David Baev, and in the quarterfinals used his exceptional ability to finish from a bodylock and amazing handfighting to stun the Olympic champ 3-1 to make the semis. 

Gazimagomedov then met up with the Russian Junior National champion Razambek Dzhamalov and the two put on an absolute barn burner of a match, with Gazimagomedov coming out on top to make his second national finals match. His first came with his title-winning performance in 2015 over #8 Israil Kasumov. Gazimagomedov will have Arpat Sat tomorrow in the finals, and I expect Gazimagomedov to continue his excellent run and procure his second Russian National title. Gazimagomedov should absolutely be seen as the favorite to win in worlds with stunning wins over World/Olympic champs #1(86) Hassan Yazdani Charati, #1(74) Frank Chamizo, and #3 Soslan Ramonov. 

Boltukaev's Boltwheel stalls out

A favorite to win it all at the 2016 Olympics, Anzor “The God of Thunder” Boltukaev was struck with “food poisoning” while in Rio and lost 8-5 to eventual fifth-place finisher Valerii Andriitsev (UKR). Boltukaev was not to be seen again until the 2017 Yarygin, where he finished up as runner-up to 2014 European runner-up Alan Khugaev. A subsequent drug test failure put Boltukaev out for a year. Upon return, Boltukaev would show all of what made him such a force in 2016, with his famous “Boltwheel”, strong gut, and strong elbow pass double guiding him to a quarterfinal berth against 2015 Junior world champ for Azerbaijan Said Gamidov (Dagestan). It was against Gamidov where the God of Thunder would be struck down, 5-2. When Gamidov was pinned by returning national champ #16 Anzor Khizrievin his semifinal match Boltukaev’s road to redemption at heavyweight ended. 

#1 Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov makes the 79 KG final

Long been seen as one of the best guys to never make a world team in Russia, #1 Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov seemed like the perfect fit for Russia to flex their incredible 74 KG depth and add yet another world title contender to their lineup up at 79kg. Gadzhimagomedov proved himself up for the task by winning the Yarygin, the Dan Kolov, and the European championships going into nationals. At those tournaments Akhmed notched strong wins over the likes of #2 Kyle Dake, #3 Alan Zaseev, #5 Jabrayil Hasanov, #7 Radik Valiev, and #16 Jumber Kvelashvili. Gadzhimagomedov has kept his #1 spot intact so far at Russian Nationals, notching wins over the likes of #7 Radik Valiev, Gadzhi Nabiyev, and Khalil Aminov to make the national finals. Opposite of Gadzhimagomedov is 2016 Russian Nationals bronze medalist #10 Khusey Suyunchev, who took out 2013 National runner-up Atsamaz Sanakoev in a controversial 4-4 semifinal match. 

Something to note about Sanakoev was that he was coming off an impressive 5-2 win in the quarters over a red-hot #9 Tazhidin Akaev, who himself was coming off impressive wins over the likes of #3 Alan Zaseev, #14 Magomed Ramazanov, and Muslim Dadaev. Suyunchev is absolutely a guy who could knock off Gadzhimagomedov and if you haven’t watched him yet, you need to see his duck under. It is absolutely incredible and Suyunchev's ability to chain leg attacks off of it is incredible. For Gadzhimagomedov, this match against Suyunchev is a chance at revenge from 2016 Russian Nationals where Suyunchev stunned him 6-1 in a second-round match on his way to a bronze medal.