2019 International Rankings - Men's Freestyle

Gadzhiev Returns To 65kg

By Seth Petarra (@SethPetar)

Returning world runner-up #4(70) Magomedmurad Gadzhiev (POL) has made the move back down to 65 KG, where he takes the #1 spot off of the strength of wins over #1 Haji Aliyev (AZE) and #3 Vladimir Khinchegashvili (GEO) in February at the International Ukrainian Tournament. 

With the addition of Gadzhiev, everyone gets moved down a spot. #2 Haji Aliyev (AZE) injury defaulted out of the Medved finals after beating European bronze medalist Selehattin Killicsallyan (TUR) in the semis. #6 Akhmed Chakaev (RUS) had a crazy 9-8 win over #13 Jordan Oliver (USA) in the semifinals of the Ziolkowski before snagging the title with a forfeit win in the finals over #3 Vladimir Khinchegashvili (GEO). #6 Naachin Kuular (RUS) drops down two spots in the rankings to #8 after an 8-2 loss in the Miner’s Glory tournament finals to Asian Games bronze medalist Sirojiddin Khasanov (UZB). 

While Bekhan Goygereev (RUS) does have the more recent win over #8 Naachin Kuular (RUS) at Russian Nationals in August, I found that when comparing him against the activity rate and wins along with losses to Viktor Rassadin (RUS), Rassadin won out even with the loss to Kuular in August at Russian Nationals. 

As a reminder, Rassadin is coming off of a title at the Korkin over Tulga Tumur Ochir (MGL) which avenged a loss in March at the President Cup of Buryatia for Rassadin. Tulga Tumur Ochir (MGL) debuts in the rankings at #16 in the rankings after an impressive runner-up finish at the Korkin that saw him notch wins over the likes of #15 Daulet Niyazbekov (KAZ) and #16 Rei Higuchi (JPN) before falling to #12 Viktor Rassadin (RUS) in the finals. 

Sirojiddin Khasanov (UZB) debuts in the rankings at #18 after notching an 8-2 win in the finals of the Miner’s Glory tournament over #6 Naachin Kuular (RUS). Former #20 Dasha Sharastepanov (RUS) is out of the rankings after losing to Ilyas Zhumay (KAZ) at the Korkin.