2025 U20 Worlds breakdown and predictions

[zzs006]

Here is my annual U20 breakdown. I’ve done this for the last 3 years on the other site and it got good reactions so I figured I should continue it here. This my favorite tournament of the year because of the super high level of competition and being exposed to the next group of guys who will breakthrough and dominate on the senior level over the next few years. I also love seeing who is going to announce themselves as the next big thing like Masa Ono did last year. Ono came into U20’s with decent results but no one expected him to crush the field like he did. He then went on to demolish the senior level at worlds a few weeks later. Let’s see who is going to put the wrestling world on notice this year.

I will break down each weight over the next couple weeks and should be finished before the tournament starts on August 17th. I’m only doing the Men’s freestyle division

I hope you all enjoy and will be able to use this as a reference when the tournament is in full swing

 

[tullfan68]

Here is my annual U20 breakdown. I’ve done this for the last 3 years on the other site and it got good reactions so I figured I should continue it here. This my favorite tournament of the year because of the super high level of competition and being exposed to the next group of guys who will breakthrough and dominate on the senior level over the next few years. I also love seeing who is going to announce themselves as the next big thing like Masa Ono did last year. Ono came into U20’s with decent results but no one expected him to crush the field like he did. He then went on to demolish the senior level at worlds a few weeks later. Let’s see who is going to put the wrestling world on notice this year.

I will break down each weight over the next couple weeks and should be finished before the tournament starts on August 17th. I’m only doing the Men’s freestyle division

I hope you all enjoy and will be able to use this as a reference when the tournament is in full swing

where is it

 

[tullfan68]

ooops my bad

 

[zzs006]

57kg

US rep-Anthony Knox-
4X NJ state champion, #4 on FLO’s 2025 big board, incoming freshman at Cornell, Super 32 champ, 1st wrestler to win 4 matches at WNO

Contenders-

Vasif Baghirov-AZE-
2022-U17 Euros-1st, U17 worlds-1st (beat Castillo)
2024-U20 euros-2nd
2025-U20 euros-1st

Arman Harutyunyan-ARM-
2022-U17 worlds-3rd (lost to Munaretto), U17 euros-3rd
2023-U17 euros-2nd

Nika Zangaladze-GEO-
2024-U20 euros-5th
2025-U23 euros-2nd, U20 euros-2nd

Arshia Bahram Haddadi-IRI
2022-U17 worlds-3rd
2025-U20 Asians-3rd

Rin Sakamoto-JPN
2023-U20 worlds-7th
2025-senior Asians-5th, Emperors cup-1st, Meiji cup-1st
2025-Japans 57kg senior world team rep

Nurdanet Aitanov-KAZ
2021-cadet worlds-3rd (lost to Lilledahl 4-3)
2022-U17 worlds-5th (lost to Lilledahl 4-1), U17 Asians-1st
2025-U20 asians-2nd

Not a super deep weight overall but all 7 of these guys have good to great results. I don’t see a clear favorite so how the brackets are drawn could be super important.

Knox has the ability to win this weight for sure but he has some weird matches at times (like his loss to Villasenor at U20 trials) and this is his first crack at age level worlds. I think he places but I’m not picking him to win it all.

I couldn’t find any info on the rep from India. At U20 Asians the Indian rep won the tournament but this isn’t the same guy. Not sure why.

I think gold is between Sakamoto and Baghirov. Rin has had a really good spring and summer winning both the Emperor’s cup and the Meiji cup which put him on the Japanese senior team for worlds. He also had a decent showing at senior Asians. Baghirov is the most credentialed wrestler in the field with multiple age level Euro titles and a U17 world title.

Prediction-
Gold-Vasif Baghirov-AZE
Silver-Rin Sakamoto-JPN
Bronze-Anthony Knox-USA
Bronze-Nurdanet Aitanov-KAZ

 

[PSUAllTheWay]

I LOVE when you do this thread!!!! Thanks for bringing it here.

jeff

 

[zzs006]

61kg

US rep-Marcus Blaze
2023-U17 worlds-1st
2024-U20 worlds-3rd
#1 on FLO’s 2025 big board
PSU incoming freshman
2025 senior national team member at 2 weights (61kg and 65kg)
2025 winner of the Dave Schultz HS excellence award

Contenders-

Sargis Begoyan-ARM
2021-Cadet euros-3rd, cadet worlds-3rd
2025-U20 Euros-1st (beat Saitiev 6-5)

Bashir Verdiyev-AZE
2022-U17 worlds-2nd
2023-U17 worlds-14th
2024-U20 worlds-10th
2025-U20 euros-5th

Saba Gambashidze-GEO
2022-U17 euros-3rd, U17 worlds-7th
2025-U20 euros-3rd

Ahora Farhad Khateri-IRI
2023-U17 Asians-1st, U17 worlds-1st
2024-U17 worlds-8th
2025-1st ranking series event-5th (beat Brandon Courtney 7-7)

Takuto Osedo-JPN
2022-U17 worlds-5th (lost to Jax 12-2)

Allan Oralbek-KAZ
2021-cadet worlds-7th
2023-U17 Asians-3rd, U17 worlds-11th
2024-U23 worlds-5th
2025-U20 Asians-3rd

Askat Zhangazievich Toktomatov-KGZ
2022-U17 Asians-3rd
2024-U20 asians-2nd
2025-U20 Asians-1st

Adlan Saitiev-UWW-RUS
2024-U17 worlds 13th (lost to Jordyn Raney 10-4)
2025-U20 euros-2nd

Abdulloh Khabibullaev-UZB
2025-U20 Asians-3rd


Blaze comes in as a pretty big favorite in my opinion. A pretty deep collection of good but not great guys trying to chase him down.

Begoyan, Khateri, and Toktomatov are the top 3 guys after Blaze. They all have really great past results and are wrestling well right now also. Begoyan won Euros and Toktomatov won Asians. Khateri has been wrestling seniors but was a u17 world champ as well.

I keep waiting for Saitiev to make a huge jump but that’s probably just because of his name and lineage. Everyone expected big things from him last year and he lost first round to Raney. He had a good Euros though, taking 2nd in a tight 6-5 match against Begoyan. I could see him placing but I’m not picking it.

Verdiyev, Gambashidze, Oralbek, and Khabibullaev are all in the next tier and have pretty similar results. Verdiyev and Oralbek have a ton of experience and competed and placed at the age group world level for the past 3-4 years. I’m not picking them to get on the podium but I won’t be surprised if any of them do.

India is sending another guy that I can find absolutely nothing about. The Japanese wrestler Osedo doesn’t have much I can find either. He took 5th at U17 worlds in 2022 but that’s all I can find. Both these countries continue pumping out elite guys though so I won’t be too shocked if they have good tournaments.

I will be shocked if Blaze doesn’t win gold though. He’s one of the bigger favorites for me. I’m sure he will be in some tight matches but I have a hard time seeing any of these guys being able to score enough to beat him.

Predictions-
Gold-Marcus Blaze-USA
Silver-Askat Zhangazievich Toktomatov-KGZ
Bronze-Ahora Farhad Khateri-IRI
Bronze-Sargis Begoyan-ARM

 

[GregPickel]

Here is my annual U20 breakdown. I’ve done this for the last 3 years on the other site and it got good reactions so I figured I should continue it here. This my favorite tournament of the year because of the super high level of competition and being exposed to the next group of guys who will breakthrough and dominate on the senior level over the next few years. I also love seeing who is going to announce themselves as the next big thing like Masa Ono did last year. Ono came into U20’s with decent results but no one expected him to crush the field like he did. He then went on to demolish the senior level at worlds a few weeks later. Let’s see who is going to put the wrestling world on notice this year.

I will break down each weight over the next couple weeks and should be finished before the tournament starts on August 17th. I’m only doing the Men’s freestyle division

I hope you all enjoy and will be able to use this as a reference when the tournament is in full swing

Look forward to reading these and thanks for bringing them over here!

 

[An Old Pair of Asics]

57kg

US rep-Anthony Knox-
4X NJ state champion, #4 on FLO’s 2025 big board, incoming freshman at Cornell, Super 32 champ, 1st wrestler to win 4 matches at WNO

Contenders-

Vasif Baghirov-AZE-
2022-U17 Euros-1st, U17 worlds-1st (beat Castillo)
2024-U20 euros-2nd
2025-U20 euros-1st

Arman Harutyunyan-ARM-
2022-U17 worlds-3rd (lost to Munaretto), U17 euros-3rd
2023-U17 euros-2nd

Nika Zangaladze-GEO-
2024-U20 euros-5th
2025-U23 euros-2nd, U20 euros-2nd

Arshia Bahram Haddadi-IRI
2022-U17 worlds-3rd
2025-U20 Asians-3rd

Rin Sakamoto-JPN
2023-U20 worlds-7th
2025-senior Asians-5th, Emperors cup-1st, Meiji cup-1st
2025-Japans 57kg senior world team rep

Nurdanet Aitanov-KAZ
2021-cadet worlds-3rd (lost to Lilledahl 4-3)
2022-U17 worlds-5th (lost to Lilledahl 4-1), U17 Asians-1st
2025-U20 asians-2nd

Not a super deep weight overall but all 7 of these guys have good to great results. I don’t see a clear favorite so how the brackets are drawn could be super important.

Knox has the ability to win this weight for sure but he has some weird matches at times (like his loss to Villasenor at U20 trials) and this is his first crack at age level worlds. I think he places but I’m not picking him to win it all.

I couldn’t find any info on the rep from India. At U20 Asians the Indian rep won the tournament but this isn’t the same guy. Not sure why.

I think gold is between Sakamoto and Baghirov. Rin has had a really good spring and summer winning both the Emperor’s cup and the Meiji cup which put him on the Japanese senior team for worlds. He also had a decent showing at senior Asians. Baghirov is the most credentialed wrestler in the field with multiple age level Euro titles and a U17 world title.

Prediction-
Gold-Vasif Baghirov-AZE
Silver-Rin Sakamoto-JPN
Bronze-Anthony Knox-USA
Bronze-Nurdanet Aitanov-KAZ

I’ll be watching the Japanese light weights. Last Olympic & World cycle, they killed it. Did they discover a weakness in their competition or was it generational talents?

 

[Anon1751570859]

Thank you so much I LOOOOVVEEE threads like these that preview matches especially ones where I don't know anything about the competitors. Thanks again you are much appreciated.

 

[zzs006]

65kg

US rep-Luke Stanich
RS Sophomore at Lehigh, 2024 NCAA All-American taking 5th at 125lbs., 2025 US open U20 champion, Beat Bo Bassett at the US open and in the WTT finals to m as me the U20 team

Contenders-

Arman Musikyan-ARM
2022-U17 euros-9th
2024-U20 worlds-13th
2025-U20 euros-5th

Haji Karimov-AZE
2021-cadet worlds-9th
2023-U17 euros-1st
2025-U20 euros-9th

Ashwani Ashwani-IND
2025-U20 Asians-2nd

Alessandro Dante Nini-ITA
2022-U17 worlds-5th
2024-U20 euros-3rd, U20 worlds-19th
2025-U20 euros-12th

Omurbek Asan Uulu-KGZ
2022-U15 Asians-1st
2023-U17 asians-1st, U17 worlds-24th
2024-U17 Asians-1st, U17 worlds-1st (beat Jordyn Raney 12-6)
2025-U20 Asians-3rd (lost to Ashwani 8-7)

Benjamin Zalan Boejthe-ROU
2021-cadet euros-10th, cadet worlds-12th
2022-U17 euros-5th, U17 worlds-14th
2023-U20 euros-3rd, U20 worlds-11th
2025-U20 euros-7th

Abdullah Toprak-TUR
2021-cadet euros-3rd, cadet worlds-3rd
2022-U17 euros-1st, U17 worlds-7th, U20 euros-5th, U20 worlds-14th
2023-U20 euros-15th, U20 worlds-3rd, U23 worlds-3rd
2024-1st ranking series Zagreb-5th, U23 euros-3rd, U23 worlds-5th, U20 euros-1st, U20 worlds-5th
2025-U23 euros-2nd, U20 euros-3rd (lost to Dzhandubaev)

Viktor Borohan-UKR
2024-U20 euros-3rd, U20 worlds-20th
2025-U20 euros-2nd

Amal Dzhandubaev-UWW-RUS
2021-cadet euros-1st
2025-U23 euros-1st, U20 euros-1st

I see a clear group of 5 guys at the top and then a fairly large tier a step below them. There are 4 podium spots so I have 1 of the top guys just missing out. There are a couple wildcards with Japan and Iran sending guys with no results I can find. Yasumi from Japan won U20 Asians but he isn’t registered and instead they have Reiji UCHIDA listed. Iran sent Pirdayeh to Asians but he didn’t place so he has been replaced by Aliasghar Shahram TATHASHTIKEH.

The 5 guys in the top tier are Stanich, Ashwani, Asan Uulu, Toprak, and Dzhandubaev. Dzhandybaev doesnt have a ton of results but he has won gold at everything he has entered. He also has wins over multiple guys in this field including Borohan and Toprak. He beat Toprak twice, once by tech, at this year U20 and U23 euros.
Toprak is by far the most experienced wrestler in the field and likely in the tournament. He has been competing and placing at multiple age levels for the last 5 years. He has some great results (multiple world medals) and some head scratchers (15th at U20 euros).
Ashwani Ashwani only has a single result that I found but it’s a good one (2nd at U20 Asians). He beat Tuvduu (6-4) and Asan Uulu (8-7)
Asan Uulu has great results going back 4 years. He has won multiple age level Asians and is also a U17 world champion where he beat Jordyn Raney 12-6

The next few guys are Viktor Borohan, Benjamin Zalan Boejthe, and Alessandro Dante Nini. All 3 have a few good results mixed in with bad ones. If any of the top guys falter I could see Borohan sneaking in. He had a great U20 euros this year placing 2nd.

Stanich is an interesting one for me. He had no real freestyle experience coming into the US open and WTT this year but he wrestled extremely well and took out some high level guys like Bassett and Zepeda. Both those guys usually overwhelm their opponents with pace and a brutal handfight but Stanich more than held his own in that area. Being in a college room for 2 years was evident in how he wrestled. I still question how he will do against these foreigners who wrestle a very different style and have wrestled free their entire life. He is going to have to use pace as a weapon and be super physical which the US always uses to their advantage

Predictions-
Gold-Amal Dzhandubaev-UWW-RUS
Silver-Omurbek Asan Uulu-KGZ
Bronze-Abdullah Toprak-TUR
Bronze-Ashwani Ashwani-IND
5th-Luke Stanich-USA

 

[Spykers Secretary]

The only people who like these breakdowns more than us , are the Flo guys

 

[El_Jefe]

Alessandro Dante Nini-ITA
2022-U17 worlds-5th
2024-U20 euros-3rd, U20 worlds-19th
2025-U20 euros-12th

Alex Nini is from NJ. 1x state finalist. Went 10-7 last year as a shirting FR at Rutger.

I get listing him but he's not really a contender. Would likely have missed the podium at the U20 US Open with Stanich, Bassett, Manville, Vega, and Zapeda at 65 kg.

 

[zzs006]

Alex Nini is from NJ. 1x state finalist. Went 10-7 last year as a shirting FR at Rutger.

I get listing him but he's not really a contender. Would likely have missed the podium at the U20 US Open with Stanich, Bassett, Manville, Vega, and Zapeda at 65 kg.

Agreed. I have him listed under contenders but if you look at his results him placing is a long shot. 19th at U20’s last year and 12th at U20 euros this year aren’t good results. He was 5th at U17 worlds though and that’s a better result than a lot of the other guys have.

 

[GregPickel]

 

[zzs006]

79kg is by far the toughest weight. Last years champ who beat Ryder is back and he just took bronze at U20 Asians. Super deep weight. I think Henckel can go with anyone in the world though

 

[GregPickel]

79kg is by far the toughest weight. Last years champ who beat Ryder is back and he just took bronze at U20 Asians. Super deep weight. I think Henckel can go with anyone in the world though

I think Henckel is probably the guy I'm most excited to watch at this tournament. He feels a little forgotten about to me because of some of the things his classmates have done this spring and summer but I think he's right there with them and is obviously sitting on a big chance to show it later this month.

 

[vhsalum1]

RE: Japan and India

They take the Asian GAMES more seriously than they do worlds. Super weird nationalistic pride stuff.

The backups are going to U17 and U20s.

 

[vhsalum1]

I think Henckel is probably the guy I'm most excited to watch at this tournament. He feels a little forgotten about to me because of some of the things his classmates have done this spring and summer but I think he's right there with them and is obviously sitting on a big chance to show it later this month.

No way is he forgotten about. He definitely was a footnote recruit. But it's clear he's going to be damn good.

 

[GregPickel]

No way is he forgotten about. He definitely was a footnote recruit. But it's clear he's going to be damn good.

Forgotten was probably not the right word but I think we're on the same page as thinking of him as a guy who should be talked about more than he is.

 

[Spykers Secretary]

No way is he forgotten about. He definitely was a footnote recruit. But it's clear he's going to be damn good.

In board wars he does and depth at PSU keeps the spotlight off. That very well changes at u20s.

Really wish we were able to do more with our depth in the public view but the room goes are probably as intense or more than anything we fans get to see.

loved what Iowa did last year with Angelo. Really builds excitement for fans.

 

[zzs006]

RE: Japan and India

They take the Asian GAMES more seriously than they do worlds. Super weird nationalistic pride stuff.

The backups are going to U17 and U20s.

Yeah it’s definitely strange. A few guys who won Asians would probably win gold here as well. They don’t always do this though. Some years they send their top guys including Japan last year so what’s different this go round?

 

[vhsalum1]

Yeah it’s definitely strange. A few guys who won Asians would probably win gold here as well. They don’t always do this though. Some years they send their top guys including Japan last year so what’s different this go round?

Asian games are every 4 years. So once an Olympic cycle the Asian countries do this.

 

[GregPickel]

Entries are out:

Wrestling U20 World Championships 2025 Entries

Get the latest updates from the United World Wrestling, including news, features, stories, injury updates, match reports and more.

uww.org

 

[zzs006]

The past few years I did this I’m pretty sure I broke the competitors into tiers so I’m going to do that again going forward. I’ll have contenders, dark horses, and depth. Hopefully that will help more instead of putting everyone under the contender category.

70kg

US rep-PJ Duke
Incoming PSU freshman
#2 on FLO’s 2025 big board
4X NY state champion (152-1 record)
Super 32 champ, Fargo champ
2024-U20 pan-ams-1st, U20 worlds-3rd
2025-U20, U23, and senior world team member

Contenders-

Goga Otinashvili-GEO
2022-U17 euros-2nd, U17 worlds-3rd
2023-U20 euros-2nd, U20 worlds-8th, U23 euros-3rd, U23 worlds-5th
2024-U20 euros-3rd, U20 worlds-5th, U23 worlds-11th
2025-1st ranking series-5th (beat Evan Henderson, lost to Joey McKenna 3-1), U23 euros-9th, senior euros-17th, U20 euros-3rd

Ebrahim Elahi-IRI
2022-U17 worlds-1st
2023-U20 Asians-2nd
2025-1st ranking series-5th (lost to Austin Gomez 9-3, beat Jarrett Jacques 4-3), U20 Asians-1st

Darkhorse-

Kairi Ito-JPN
2024-U17 worlds-3rd (beat Melvin Miller 7-2)

Daniele Gubbiotti-ITA
2024-U20 euros-13th, U20 worlds-10th
2025-U20 euros-2nd

Islam Kazharov-UWW-RUS
2023-U17 euros-2nd, U17 worlds-3rd

Umut Uslu-TUR
2022-U15 euros-3rd
2024-U17 worlds-3rd

Depth-

Ismayil Rahimli-AZE
2023-U17 euros-3rd, U17 worlds-9th
2025-U20 euros-9th

Kaloyan Atanasov-BUL
2022-U17 euros-1st, U17 worlds-19th
2023-U20 euros-12th
2024-U20 euros-9th
2025-U20 euros-3rd, U23 euros-7th

Zalkarbek Tabaldiev-KGZ
2022-U17 worlds-8th
2024-U20 worlds-16th
2025-U20 Asians-3rd

There is a clear top 3 with Duke, Elahi, and Otinashvili. All 3 have been competing on the senior level with some success. Elahi is a past age level world champion. Otinashvili has never won worlds but has placed top 5 3 times. Otinashvili is one of the most active guys in the tournament. He has wrestled everywhere and at multiple age group levels over the last 4 years with pretty good results.

The next group of guys don’t have near as many results but the results they have are good. Ito, Uslu, and Kazharov all took 3rd at U17 worlds but this is their first shot at the U20 level. Ito beat Melvin Miller 7-2 last at worlds. None of them have results for this year though. Gubbiotti doesn’t have great past results but he just took 2nd at U20 euros beating a number of guys in this field (Atanasov, Kodakov Gil). I won’t be surprised if one or more of these guys has a great tournament and gets on the podium.

The final tier is guys who have decent results and could surprise someone above them but I doubt any place in the top 3. Tabaldiev and Atanasov have the best chance to break though. AZE always sends tough guys as well so don’t discount Rahimli.

I think Duke is the definite favorite and I’ll be a bit surprised if he doesn’t bring home gold. Elahi is dangerous though and Iran always comes to compete hard. I see Otinashvili just a bit behind those 2 but he has the talent to win it all. The draw will be important just like it always is.

Predictions-

Gold-PJ Duke-USA
Silver-Ebrahim Elahi-IRI
Bronze-Goga Otinashvili-GEO
Bronze-Kairi Ito-JPN

 

[zzs006]

74kg

US rep-Ladarion Lockett
4X OK state champion
OkSt incoming freshman
#3 on FLO’s 2025 big board
2023-U17 worlds-1st
2024-U20 pan-ams-1st, U20 worlds-2nd
2025-senior pan-ams-1st

Contenders-

Manuel Wagin-GER
2022-U17 euros-3rd, U17 worlds-8th
2023-U17 euros-1st, U17 worlds-3rd
2024-U17 worlds-2nd (beat Melvin Miller 7-1)
2025-U23 euros-5th, U20 euros-1st

Ismail Khaniev-UWW-RUS
2024-U23 worlds-5th
2025-U20 euros-3rd (lost to Wagin), U23 euros-1st

Dark horses-

Mahdi Mamivand-IRI
2022-U17 Asians-10th, U17 worlds-10th
2025 U20 Asians-1st

Raul Caso-ITA
2022-U17 euros-2nd, U17 worlds-2nd (lost to Sealey), U20 euros-3rd, U20 worlds-13th
2023-U20 euros-3rd, U20 worlds-20th, U23 euros-11th
2024-U20 euros-9th, U20 worlds-18th, U23 euros-12th, senior euros-20th
2025-U23 euros-9th, U20 euros-2nd

Parvinder Singh-IND
2024-senior Asians-12th, senior worlds-16th

Depth-

Bohdan Oliinyk-UKR
2022-U17 worlds-5th
2024-U23 euros-5th, U20 worlds-9th
2025-U20 euros-5th, U23 euros-5th

Dosszhan Kul Gaiyp-KGZ
2025-U20 Asians-3rd

Omar Gulmammadov-AZE
2025-U20 euros-3rd

Vatan Annaorazov-TKM
2023-U17 Asians-9th
2025-U20 asians-3rd, U23 Asians-3rd

Umarkhon Muydinov-UZB
2024-U17 Asians-5th
2025-U20 asians-2nd

Really deep weight overall with quite a few guys who could place but a fairly clear top 2 with Wagin and Lockett and Khaniev just a step behind. Wagin beat Khaniev 5-4 and Caso 6-1 at euros. Wagin continues to get better and has great results over the past few years including silver at U20’s last year where he beat Melvin Miller 7-1. Khaniev doesn’t have near as many results but has been wrestling up at U23’s with good results including gold at this years euros.

Mamivand and Caso have the ability to place but have some mixed results. Caso has wrestled a ton over the years and has competed in multiple age divisions each year for the past 4 years. He has a world silver from U17’s where Joe Sealey teched him in the finals but he’s never been able to reach those highs again. He is coming off a good showing at U20 euros where he took silver only losing to Wagin. Mamivand is also win good form with a gold medal performance at U20 Asians where he beat Muydinov, Kul Gaiyp, and Zhumabekov. Singh is a real dark horse and I’m going out on a limb putting him here. He doesn’t have many results I can find and they aren’t great but they are from senior Asians and 2024 senior worlds. He kept it close with some very tough guys including a3-0 match with Kamiya from Japan. I think he might surprise

The next tier is where this weight stands out a bit. These 5 guys have the ability to have a great tournament and possibly get on the podium. Oliinyk has a ton of results over the last 3+ years but the other 4 only have a few results which is why they are in this tier. Gulmammadov was 3rd at U20 euros this year where he beat Oliiynk and lost to Caso. Kul Gaiyp took 3rd at U20 Asians where he only lost to Mamivand 9-8. Annaorazov had good showings at both U20’s and U23 Asians where he took 3rd at both while Muydinov came in 2nd at U20 Asians also losing to Mamivand. I’m not picking any of these guys to place but I absolutely think they will have an upset or 2 along the way.

Lockett is the slight favorite for me with Wagin a step below. Lockett keeps jumping levels and is so good in free. Wagin continues to improve as well and has really high end wins. He is super strong and loves to wrestle from a right side underhook. He has the gameplan to shut Lockett down but I don’t think he can hold up for 6 mins. He shut Miller down but that was a 4 min match and Lockett is a few levels above Miller. Khaniev is capable of knocking anyone off as well but I’m not sure he can put together 4 or 5 great matches in a row.

Predictions-

Gold-Ladarion Lockett-USA
Silver-Manuel Wagin-GER
Bronze-Ismail Khaniev-UWW-RUS
Bronze-Mahdi Mamivand-IRI

 

[zzs006]

79kg

US rep-William Henckel
Incoming freshman at PSU
#13 on FLO’s 2025 big board
Fargo champ
Ironman champ
Prep national champ

Contenders-

Mahdi Yousefihajivar-IRI
2024-U20 worlds-3rd, U23 worlds-1st
2025-1st ranking series-2nd (beat Gamkrelidze, lost to Khadjiev), senior Asians-1st (beat Yergesh, Evloev, and Saipudinov)

Alp Arslan Begenjov-TKM
2022-U17 Asians-1st, U17 worlds-12th
2023-U17 Asians-3rd, U17 worlds-5th
2024-senior Asians-5th, U23 asians-3rd, U20 Asians-1st, U20 worlds-1st (beat Amit and Ryder)
2025-U23 Asians-2nd, U20 asians-3rd

Amit Amit-IND
2024-U20 worlds-5th
2025-U20 Asians-1st

Dark horses-

Said Saidulov-UWW-RUS
2024-U20 euros-1st, U20 worlds-5th
2025-U20 euros-3rd

Davit Tchetchelashvili-GEO
2024-U20 euros-18th
2025-U20 euros-1st (beat Saidulov and Omarov)

Leandro Araujo-BRA
Wrestles for Nebraska, likely the 174 starter
5X state champ in ND
2024-U20 pan-ams-3rd, U20 worlds-3rd (lost to Ryder at both events)
2025-U20 pan-ams-2nd (lost to Henckel 9-0)

Depth-

Keyran Gharehdaghi-JPN
Son of Iranian father and Japanese mother. Father runs a wrestling academy in Japan
2023-U17 worlds-8th
2025-Meiji cup-1st
Lost to Kamiya in a wrestle off to make Japans senior world team

Bohdan Oleksiienko-UKR
2022-U17 euros-3rd
2024-U23 euros-12th, U20 euros-9th
2025-U23 euros-9th, U20 euros-5th

Muradkhan Omarov-AZE
2025-U20 euros-2nd

This is definitely the deepest weight in the tournament with 5 of the top 6 placers from last year returning. Only guy who moved on is Ryder but he is replaced by Henckel who I think is an even better prospect. Henckel has much better offense and also superior length. The draw is going to be super important with so many elite guys

Mahdi Yousefi is the favorite for me. He is been fairly dominant this year with huge wins on the senior level. He’s good enough to place at senior worlds. Just behind him is Begenjov. He had a monster year last year culminating with a gold at this tournament where he beat Ryder soundly and also beat Amit. This year he did only take 3rd at U20 Asians losing to Amit by fall but he was leading 6-3 at the time. Amit is the next guy in the contender tier and absolutely could win it all. Not only did he beat Begenjov but he also beat Shamsipour at the same tournament.

Saidulov, Tchetchelashvili, and Araujo are in the next tier but have the talent to get on the podium. Tchetchelashvili is at top with his gold medal showing at euros where he beat Saidulov and Omarov. Saidulov is right there though and has the results to back it up with a 5th place showing at worlds last year and a gold and bronze at euros. Araujo had the tournament of his life at U20 worlds last year coming in at 3rd. He lost to Ryder handily but beat Saidulov for bronze. He followed it up with a silver medal at pan-ams this year where he lost 9-0 to Henckel in the finals.

Gharehdaghi is dangerous and I could see him going on a nice run. Winning the Meiji cup is a huge accomplishment and got him so close to making the Japanese senior team. Omarov doesn’t have many results but he did just win silver at euros. He did lose by tech in the finals to Tchetchelashvili however. Oleksiienko has quite a bit of experience but is usually placing in the middle of the field. Not an easy out but probably not challenging the top guys either

I’m super excited to watch Henckel. I’m very very high on him and expect him to find his way into the PSu lineup in the next couple years. He just continues jumping levels almost every competition. He has pretty dynamic offense to go along with a great pace and good cardio. He has a huge frame and I see him continuing to go up in weight as he fills out. This weight is so deep though and has some true top end talent so I’m not totally sure where to put Henckel. I could see him continuing to improve and put everyone on notice with a gold medal performance or come up a bit short in his first go against these foreign competitors and their different styles.

Predictions-

Gold-Mahdi Yousefihajivar-IRI
Silver-Alp Arslan Begenjov-TKM
Bronze-William Henckel-USA
Bronze-Amit Amit-IND

 

[wrestlingfan22]

57kg

US rep-Anthony Knox-
4X NJ state champion, #4 on FLO’s 2025 big board, incoming freshman at Cornell, Super 32 champ, 1st wrestler to win 4 matches at WNO

Contenders-

Vasif Baghirov-AZE-
2022-U17 Euros-1st, U17 worlds-1st (beat Castillo)
2024-U20 euros-2nd
2025-U20 euros-1st

Arman Harutyunyan-ARM-
2022-U17 worlds-3rd (lost to Munaretto), U17 euros-3rd
2023-U17 euros-2nd

Nika Zangaladze-GEO-
2024-U20 euros-5th
2025-U23 euros-2nd, U20 euros-2nd

Arshia Bahram Haddadi-IRI
2022-U17 worlds-3rd
2025-U20 Asians-3rd

Rin Sakamoto-JPN
2023-U20 worlds-7th
2025-senior Asians-5th, Emperors cup-1st, Meiji cup-1st
2025-Japans 57kg senior world team rep

Nurdanet Aitanov-KAZ
2021-cadet worlds-3rd (lost to Lilledahl 4-3)
2022-U17 worlds-5th (lost to Lilledahl 4-1), U17 Asians-1st
2025-U20 asians-2nd

Not a super deep weight overall but all 7 of these guys have good to great results. I don’t see a clear favorite so how the brackets are drawn could be super important.

Knox has the ability to win this weight for sure but he has some weird matches at times (like his loss to Villasenor at U20 trials) and this is his first crack at age level worlds. I think he places but I’m not picking him to win it all.

I couldn’t find any info on the rep from India. At U20 Asians the Indian rep won the tournament but this isn’t the same guy. Not sure why.

I think gold is between Sakamoto and Baghirov. Rin has had a really good spring and summer winning both the Emperor’s cup and the Meiji cup which put him on the Japanese senior team for worlds. He also had a decent showing at senior Asians. Baghirov is the most credentialed wrestler in the field with multiple age level Euro titles and a U17 world title.

Prediction-
Gold-Vasif Baghirov-AZE
Silver-Rin Sakamoto-JPN
Bronze-Anthony Knox-USA
Bronze-Nurdanet Aitanov-KAZ

My sleeper to get some upset wins and maybe medal at 57kg is Caio Aron from Brazil, who won Pan-Ams beating Mills and last year took 7th at u20 worlds including a 3-0 loss to Pavlov where he didn't give up a single takedown. I don't think he is better than anyone on z's list but I do think he is an American guy in this bracket who could make some noise (incoming freshman at CBU)

 

[wrestlingfan22]

The past few years I did this I’m pretty sure I broke the competitors into tiers so I’m going to do that again going forward. I’ll have contenders, dark horses, and depth. Hopefully that will help more instead of putting everyone under the contender category.

70kg

US rep-PJ Duke
Incoming PSU freshman
#2 on FLO’s 2025 big board
4X NY state champion (152-1 record)
Super 32 champ, Fargo champ
2024-U20 pan-ams-1st, U20 worlds-3rd
2025-U20, U23, and senior world team member

Contenders-

Goga Otinashvili-GEO
2022-U17 euros-2nd, U17 worlds-3rd
2023-U20 euros-2nd, U20 worlds-8th, U23 euros-3rd, U23 worlds-5th
2024-U20 euros-3rd, U20 worlds-5th, U23 worlds-11th
2025-1st ranking series-5th (beat Evan Henderson, lost to Joey McKenna 3-1), U23 euros-9th, senior euros-17th, U20 euros-3rd

Ebrahim Elahi-IRI
2022-U17 worlds-1st
2023-U20 Asians-2nd
2025-1st ranking series-5th (lost to Austin Gomez 9-3, beat Jarrett Jacques 4-3), U20 Asians-1st

Darkhorse-

Kairi Ito-JPN
2024-U17 worlds-3rd (beat Melvin Miller 7-2)

Daniele Gubbiotti-ITA
2024-U20 euros-13th, U20 worlds-10th
2025-U20 euros-2nd

Islam Kazharov-UWW-RUS
2023-U17 euros-2nd, U17 worlds-3rd

Umut Uslu-TUR
2022-U15 euros-3rd
2024-U17 worlds-3rd

Depth-

Ismayil Rahimli-AZE
2023-U17 euros-3rd, U17 worlds-9th
2025-U20 euros-9th

Kaloyan Atanasov-BUL
2022-U17 euros-1st, U17 worlds-19th
2023-U20 euros-12th
2024-U20 euros-9th
2025-U20 euros-3rd, U23 euros-7th

Zalkarbek Tabaldiev-KGZ
2022-U17 worlds-8th
2024-U20 worlds-16th
2025-U20 Asians-3rd

There is a clear top 3 with Duke, Elahi, and Otinashvili. All 3 have been competing on the senior level with some success. Elahi is a past age level world champion. Otinashvili has never won worlds but has placed top 5 3 times. Otinashvili is one of the most active guys in the tournament. He has wrestled everywhere and at multiple age group levels over the last 4 years with pretty good results.

The next group of guys don’t have near as many results but the results they have are good. Ito, Uslu, and Kazharov all took 3rd at U17 worlds but this is their first shot at the U20 level. Ito beat Melvin Miller 7-2 last at worlds. None of them have results for this year though. Gubbiotti doesn’t have great past results but he just took 2nd at U20 euros beating a number of guys in this field (Atanasov, Kodakov Gil). I won’t be surprised if one or more of these guys has a great tournament and gets on the podium.

The final tier is guys who have decent results and could surprise someone above them but I doubt any place in the top 3. Tabaldiev and Atanasov have the best chance to break though. AZE always sends tough guys as well so don’t discount Rahimli.

I think Duke is the definite favorite and I’ll be a bit surprised if he doesn’t bring home gold. Elahi is dangerous though and Iran always comes to compete hard. I see Otinashvili just a bit behind those 2 but he has the talent to win it all. The draw will be important just like it always is.

Predictions-

Gold-PJ Duke-USA
Silver-Ebrahim Elahi-IRI
Bronze-Goga Otinashvili-GEO
Bronze-Kairi Ito-JPN

I would throw Kade Brown in that depth category. He won Pan Ams and beat Jaxon Joy (whom he had previously never beaten in HS/College as longtime rivals from OH), so he would be at minimum 4th on our U20 team depth ladder. Maybe my Pitt bias is sneaking in, but that win IMO puts him in that bottom tier with guys who have never placed at worlds but have placed at the continentals. I don't think he could beat any of your medal picks, but I do think with the right draw, he could make it to a bronze medal match.

 

[zzs006]

Thank you. I should do a better job of including the guys who we are going to see in the college ranks. Honestly, I forgot to even look up Kade Brown. I appreciate you including them

 

[wrestlingfan22]

Thank you. I should do a better job of including the guys who we are going to see in the college ranks. Honestly, I forgot to even look up Kade Brown. I appreciate you including them

Of course! I love these big previews you do, thank you so much for doing them. It helps having a reference sheet as all the names can mentally blend together at these big international events.

 

[GregPickel]

 

[jtothemfp]

Getting psyched!

 

[zzs006]

2025 U20 World Championships Preview & Predictions - Men's Freestyle - FloWrestling

A full preview with predictions for Team USA's men's freestyle team at the 2025 U20 World Championships.

www.flowrestling.org

here is FLO’s version. Almost identical to mine so far except at 57kg

 

[zzs006]

86kg

US rep-Max McEnelly
University of Minnesota 184lb
2025-NCAA AA placing 3rd
Lost in OT to Starocci
4X MN state champion
2021-Fargo champion
2022-U17 worlds-3rd

Contenders-

Abolfazl Rahmani Firouzjaei-IRI
2023-U17 Asians-1st, U17 worlds-7th
2024-U20 Asians-2nd, U20 worlds-3rd, U23 worlds-17th
2025-1st ranking series-8th (lost to Zahid 5-2), U20 Asians-1st, senior asians-1st (beat Sakayev, Shirai, and Dahiya)
#2 on Irans senior level ladder behind Ghasempour

Mukul Dahiya-IND
2023-U20 Asians-1st, U20 worlds-10th
2025-senior Asians-5th (lost to Rahmani and Shirai)

Dark horses-

Dovletgeldi Myradov-TKM
2023-U17 Asians-3rd, U17 worlds-5th
2024-U20 Asians-7th, U20 worlds-18th
2025-Senior Asians-8th, U23 asians-8th, U20 Asians-2nd (lost to Rahmani 6-2)

Ahmet Yagan-TUR
2023-U20 worlds-5th (lost to Matthew Singleton 9-7)
2024-U20 euros-5th, U20 worlds-3rd (lost to Barr 10-0)
2025-U20 euros-2nd

Alexandru Bors-MDA
2022-U17 euros-1st, U17 worlds-3rd
2023-U17 euros-1st, U17 worlds-2nd (beat Ryder 4-1), U20 euros-13th
2024-U20 euros-3rd, U20 worlds-8th
2025-U20 euros-10th

Razmik Yepremyan-ARM
2022-U17 euros-5th, U17 worlds-3rd ( lost to Sealey 10-0)
2023-U17 euros-2nd, U17 worlds-10th
2024-U20 euros-10th, U23 worlds-22nd
2025-U23 euros-19th, U20 euros-3rd

Dachi Papinashvili-GEO
2025-U20 euros-1st

Depth-

Ryogo Asano-JPN
2023–U20 worlds-11th
2024-U20 worlds-5th (lost to Barr 10-0)

Elnur Akybaev-KGZ
2024-U20 Asians-8th
2025-U20 asians-3rd

Really really good weight overall with elite talent at the top as well. I could probably have broken it down with just Rahmani and McEnelly in the contender tier and everyone else listed in the dark horse tier. I think Rahmani and Max are definitely separated from the rest of the field but then there is a huge group who are all super close and all have good results. This is going to be a super fun weight to watch.

Rahmani is the likely favorite with his senior level results and experience on the world stage. He is also number 2 at 86kg in Iran only behind the monster Ghasempour who he lost to recently by a score of 6-3. He is beatable though and I feel like McEnelly is good enough to do it. Rahmani got teched by Kadiev last year but he has definitely gotten better. Going 5-2 with Zahid this year shows just how talented he is.

Dahiya is probably at the top of the next group. He has been wrestling on the senior level with good results and has some solid wins. He did lose to Rahmani at senior Asians. Myradov, Yagan, Bors, Yepremyan, and Papinashvili are next and could probably finish any given order or beat one another on any given day. They all have some great results mixed in with bad ones. Myradov was just 2nd at U20 Asians and only lost to Rahmani 6-2. He has also been wrestling on the senior and U23 level with mixed results. Bors has incredible results going back to U17’s where he placed at worlds twice and beat Zack Ryder. That said, he just had a bad showing at U20 euros where he placed 10th. Yagan has good past results as well as wrestling well right now. He took 3rd at U20’s last year with his lone loss being a 10-0 tech to Barr. This year he was 2nd at U20 euros losing to Papinashvili in the final. Papinashvili doesn’t have the past results that the others have but winning U20 euros shows he is absolutely in the mix. Yepremyan is the last guy in this tier. He also had success way back at the U17 level but hasn’t been able to replicate it at the U20 level. He has been competing at U23’s as well though and just had a good showing at U20 euros coming in 3rd.

Asano could probably be in the above tier as well with his 5th place showing at U20 worlds last year where he also lost to Barr 10-0. Akybaev only has a couple results but his most recent one is placing 3rd at U20 Asians.

This is a really hard weight to predict. I can see ways for both McEnelly and Rahmani to win gold and then I could see any of the other 8 guys finding a way onto the podium. I keep going back and forth between Max and Rahmani. My head says Rahmani while my heart says McEnelly but when I continue to break it down and look at how tough Max wrestled Carter and Keck as well as winning the spot from Sinclair I come up leaning Max. Either way I think it will be a treat for us fans and could be one of the matches of the tournament. I also say I usually overestimate the US team and their placement and this could be one of those spots

Predictions-

Gold-Max McEnelly-USA
Silver-Abolfazl Rahmani Firouzjaei-IRI
Bronze-Mukul Dahiya-IND
Bronze-Dovletgeldi Myradov-TKM

 

[Psalm 1 guy]

86kg

US rep-Max McEnelly
University of Minnesota 184lb
2025-NCAA AA placing 3rd
Lost in OT to Starocci
4X MN state champion
2021-Fargo champion
2022-U17 worlds-3rd

Contenders-

Abolfazl Rahmani Firouzjaei-IRI
2023-U17 Asians-1st, U17 worlds-7th
2024-U20 Asians-2nd, U20 worlds-3rd, U23 worlds-17th
2025-1st ranking series-8th (lost to Zahid 5-2), U20 Asians-1st, senior asians-1st (beat Sakayev, Shirai, and Dahiya)
#2 on Irans senior level ladder behind Ghasempour

Mukul Dahiya-IND
2023-U20 Asians-1st, U20 worlds-10th
2025-senior Asians-5th (lost to Rahmani and Shirai)

Dark horses-

Dovletgeldi Myradov-TKM
2023-U17 Asians-3rd, U17 worlds-5th
2024-U20 Asians-7th, U20 worlds-18th
2025-Senior Asians-8th, U23 asians-8th, U20 Asians-2nd (lost to Rahmani 6-2)

Ahmet Yagan-TUR
2023-U20 worlds-5th (lost to Matthew Singleton 9-7)
2024-U20 euros-5th, U20 worlds-3rd (lost to Barr 10-0)
2025-U20 euros-2nd

Alexandru Bors-MDA
2022-U17 euros-1st, U17 worlds-3rd
2023-U17 euros-1st, U17 worlds-2nd (beat Ryder 4-1), U20 euros-13th
2024-U20 euros-3rd, U20 worlds-8th
2025-U20 euros-10th

Razmik Yepremyan-ARM
2022-U17 euros-5th, U17 worlds-3rd ( lost to Sealey 10-0)
2023-U17 euros-2nd, U17 worlds-10th
2024-U20 euros-10th, U23 worlds-22nd
2025-U23 euros-19th, U20 euros-3rd

Dachi Papinashvili-GEO
2025-U20 euros-1st

Depth-

Ryogo Asano-JPN
2023–U20 worlds-11th
2024-U20 worlds-5th (lost to Barr 10-0)

Elnur Akybaev-KGZ
2024-U20 Asians-8th
2025-U20 asians-3rd

Really really good weight overall with elite talent at the top as well. I could probably have broken it down with just Rahmani and McEnelly in the contender tier and everyone else listed in the dark horse tier. I think Rahmani and Max are definitely separated from the rest of the field but then there is a huge group who are all super close and all have good results. This is going to be a super fun weight to watch.

Rahmani is the likely favorite with his senior level results and experience on the world stage. He is also number 2 at 86kg in Iran only behind the monster Ghasempour who he lost to recently by a score of 6-3. He is beatable though and I feel like McEnelly is good enough to do it. Rahmani got teched by Kadiev last year but he has definitely gotten better. Going 5-2 with Zahid this year shows just how talented he is.

Dahiya is probably at the top of the next group. He has been wrestling on the senior level with good results and has some solid wins. He did lose to Rahmani at senior Asians. Myradov, Yagan, Bors, Yepremyan, and Papinashvili are next and could probably finish any given order or beat one another on any given day. They all have some great results mixed in with bad ones. Myradov was just 2nd at U20 Asians and only lost to Rahmani 6-2. He has also been wrestling on the senior and U23 level with mixed results. Bors has incredible results going back to U17’s where he placed at worlds twice and beat Zack Ryder. That said, he just had a bad showing at U20 euros where he placed 10th. Yagan has good past results as well as wrestling well right now. He took 3rd at U20’s last year with his lone loss being a 10-0 tech to Barr. This year he was 2nd at U20 euros losing to Papinashvili in the final. Papinashvili doesn’t have the past results that the others have but winning U20 euros shows he is absolutely in the mix. Yepremyan is the last guy in this tier. He also had success way back at the U17 level but hasn’t been able to replicate it at the U20 level. He has been competing at U23’s as well though and just had a good showing at U20 euros coming in 3rd.

Asano could probably be in the above tier as well with his 5th place showing at U20 worlds last year where he also lost to Barr 10-0. Akybaev only has a couple results but his most recent one is placing 3rd at U20 Asians.

This is a really hard weight to predict. I can see ways for both McEnelly and Rahmani to win gold and then I could see any of the other 8 guys finding a way onto the podium. I keep going back and forth between Max and Rahmani. My head says Rahmani while my heart says McEnelly but when I continue to break it down and look at how tough Max wrestled Carter and Keck as well as winning the spot from Sinclair I come up leaning Max. Either way I think it will be a treat for us fans and could be one of the matches of the tournament. I also say I usually overestimate the US team and their placement and this could be one of those spots

Predictions-

Gold-Max McEnelly-USA
Silver-Abolfazl Rahmani Firouzjaei-IRI
Bronze-Mukul Dahiya-IND
Bronze-Dovletgeldi Myradov-TKM

Thanks so much for this thread. I am sure it is a lot of work. I definitely follow freestyle much more than I used to, but my knowledge is primarily domestic. I appreciate your knowledge of the international wrestlers and your willingness to put in the hard work to help educate folks like me.

 

[jtothemfp]

Thanks so much for this thread. I am sure it is a lot of work. I definitely follow freestyle much more than I used to, but my knowledge is primarily domestic. I appreciate your knowledge of the international wrestlers and your willingness to put in the hard work to help educate folks like me.

Cosigned! These have been instrumental to my fandom for this upcoming set of contests.

 

[Spykers Secretary]

2025 U20 World Championships Preview & Predictions - Men's Freestyle - FloWrestling

A full preview with predictions for Team USA's men's freestyle team at the 2025 U20 World Championships.

www.flowrestling.org

here is FLO’s version. Almost identical to mine so far except at 57kg

Hahahhaha

 

[zzs006]

92kg

US rep-Connor Mirasola
Redshirt freshman at PSU
4X WI state champion
Fargo champion
#7 on FLO’s 2024 big board
2024-U20 worlds-5th

Contenders-

Sherzod Poyonov-UZB
2022-U17 Asians-3rd, U17 worlds-11th
2023-U20 Asians-2nd
2024-senior asians-2nd, U20 Asians-1st
2025-senior asians-5th (lost to Firouzpourbandpei 5-0 and Dauletbekov 2-1), U20 Asians-1st (beat Noory 6-1 and Sachin 6-4)

Anar Jafarli-AZE
2024-U20 euros-2nd, U20 worlds-3rd (beat Mirasola 6-2), U23 euros-7th
2025-U20 euros-3rd (lost to Togoev 10-0)

Kamil Kurugliyev-KAZ
2021-cadet worlds-3rd
2022-U17 Asians-1st, U17 worlds-1st (beat McEnelly 12-2)
2023-U20 Asians-1st, U20 worlds-5th (lost to Camden McDanel 8-2)
2024-U20 Asians-2nd, U20 worlds-3rd
2025-U20 Asians-2nd

Gadzhimurad Gadzhibatyrov-UWW-RUS
2025-U20 Russian nationals-1st (beat Togoev 10-4)

Musza Arsunkaev-HUN
2021-cadet worlds-9th
2022-U17 euros-2nd, U17 worlds-2nd
2024-U20 euros-3rd, U20 workds-9th, U23 worlds-5th
2025-U20 euros-2nd (lost to Togoev), Polyak Imre and Varga Memorial-5th (lost to Ben Honis 5-5)

Toohid Noory-IRI
2023-U17 Asians-1st, U17 worlds-3rd (beat Sinclair 5-3)
2025-U20 asians-2nd (lost to Poyonov)

Sachin Sachin-IND
2025-U20 Asians-3rd (lost to Poyonov 6-4)

Depth-

Sorato Kanazawa-JPN
2022-U17 worlds-10th
2023-U20 Asians-7th
2024-U20 worlds-14th

Omer Memedi-MKD
2024-U17 euros-7th, U17 worlds-11th
2025-U20 euros-5th

Yehor Horokh-UKR
2022-U17 worlds-5th
2024-U23 euros-8th
2025-U20 euros-8th (lost Jafarli 9-6)

Really interesting weight overall with not much depth but 8 guys who I could see placing and fighting for gold. Poyonov is the likely favorite with his win at U20 Asians and the success he has had on the senior level. He has a ton of experience but this is only his second trip to worlds his first being U17’s in 2022. Kurugliyev is also going to be challenging for gold and has really great past results. He has placed at worlds 3 times including winning it all in 2022 at the U17 level where he teched McEnelly. He did take a loss at U20 Asians however but that was up at 97kg. Jafarli is another who will be fighting for a medal and has good results over the past 2 years. Last year he took 3rd at U20 worlds and beat Mirasola 6-2 to get on the podium. He did get teched 10-0 by Togoev at U20 euros though. Noory is the next of this bunch who will be in the hunt for a medal. He has placed at worlds in the past where he beat the super tough Aeoden Sinclair 5-3 and was just silver at U20 Asians only losing to Poyonov. Sachin doesn’t have many results but took 3rd at U20 Asians only losing to Potonov 6-4. Arsunkaev has a bunch of results ranging from good to fair. He does have a world medal from U17’s and has been wrestling both U23 and seniors lately.
The last guy in this contenders group is probably the most interesting and also least known. Gadzhibatyrov only has the single result that I could find where he won Russian nationals at the U20 level. The guy he beat, Togoev, wrestled and won U20 euros this year. At that tournament he hammered some of the top guys at this weight including Jafarli and Arsunkaev. Gadzhibatyrov beat Togoev 10-4 which makes me think he could be the favorite in this tournament. I just don’t know if it was familiarity with his Russian opponent though or if he is just really this good.

I’m excited to watch Connor wrestle and see what kind of jump he made this year being in the PSU room. He looked great at the open beating Cody Merrill 5-1 in the finals and pretty dominant at the WTT finals where he won 2 straight. I think last year’s experience at this tournament will be invaluable and I expect a good showing. I think if things break right he can absolutely win gold but I’m not picking it. I do have him improving over last year though and bringing home a medal. I’m going with my gut and picking the unknown Gadzhibatyrov. Russia always brings a few guys no one really knows who are just super impressive and I think he could be it.

Predictions-
Gold-Gadzimurad Ghadzhibatyrov-UWW-RUS
Silver-Sherzod Poyonov-UZB
Bronze-Connor Mirasola-USA
Bronze-Kamil Kurugliyev-KAZ

 

[zzs006]

97kg

US rep-Justin Rademacher
Redshirt Sophomore at Oregon State
NCAA qualifier as a true freshman
2024-U20 worlds-3rd
2025-U20 pan-ams-1st, senior pan-ams-1st

Contenders-

Erfan Alizadeh-IRI
2022-U17 Asians-2nd, U17 worlds-3rd
2025-2nd ranking series-2nd (beat Tsakulov, lost to Yoshida 3-2), U20 Asians-1st

Konstantine Petriashvili-GEO
2023-U17 euros-3rd, U20 worlds-3rd
2024-U17 euros-1st, U17 worlds-1st, U20 euros-8th, U20 worlds-8th
2025-U20 euros-1st

Dark horses-

Magomedgadzhi Magomedov-UWW-RUS
2025-U20 euros-3rd (lost to Petriashvili 3-3)

Nikolaos Karavanos-GRE
2023-U17 euros-11th, U17 worlds-10th
2024-U17 euros-2nd, U17 worlds-7th, U20 euros-11th, U20 worlds-5th (lost to Rademacher 10-0)
2025-U23 euros-5th, senior euros-12th, U20 euros-5th

Depth-

Ravan Museyev-AZE
2022-U17 euros-5th, U17 worlds-8th
2023-U20 euros-8th, U20 worlds-7th
2024-U23 euros-5th
2025-U20 euros-5th ( lost to Magomedov and Petriashvili)

Andriyan Valkanov-BUL
2022-U17 euros-9th, U17 worlds-9th
2024-U20 euros-7th
2025-U20 euros-3rd

Jaiwei Li-CHN
2025-U20 Asians-3rd (lost to Kurugliyev 4-2)

Ashab Dadaev-FRA
2023-U17 euros-14th
2024-U20 euros-18th
2025-U20 euros-2nd (lost to Petriashvili 10-0)

Samir Dursunov-KAZ
2023-U17 Asians-2nd, U17 worlds-3rd
2025-U20 Asians-5th

Alizadeh is the definite favorite with Rademacher and Petriashvili not far behind. Unfortunately they are all in the same half of the bracket. Alizadeh has been wrestling seniors lately with really good results. Beating Tsakulov is big but only losing to Yoshida 3-2 is just as impressive. Yoshida is the guy who beat Snyder fairly recently and is ranked 4th in the world. I think Rademacher can keep it close but have a hard time seeing him win. Petriashvili, Geno’s little brother, has incredible past results and is also wrestling extremely well right now. He won euros this year and beat a number of guys in this field, most very soundly. He is still super young (UWW has him listed as 17) so guys like Rademacher and Alizadeh will have the strength and physical advantage. His wrestling IQ and talent level is super high though. I have Alizadeh coming out on top with Petriashvili and Rademacher wrestling for bronze. All of these matches are must watch

Others who will be fighting for a podium spot are Magomedov, Karavanos, Dadaev, and Li. Magomedov. Magomedov and Li wrestle 1st round. I think the winner likely makes the final from the top side which is much weaker than the bottom. Karavanos wrestles Alizadeh in his second match. If he loses he will likely be in repechage with Rademacher and Petriashvili. Dadaev will see Petriashvili in the quarters who he lost to 10-0 at euros.

This is not a very good weight overall but the top 3 guys are all legit. Absolutely brutal draw for Rademacher. If he can navigate it and medal it will speak volumes about the improvements he has made.

Prediction-

Gold-Erfan Alizadeh-IRI
Silver-Magomedgadzhi Magomedov-UWW-RUS
Bronze-Konstantine Petriashvili-GEO
Bronze-Jaiwei Li-CHN
5th-Justin Rademacher

Rademacher and Petriashvili could definitely swap placement and I wouldn’t be surprised. Petriashvili will have to be able to hold up to the pace and physicality of Rademacher. Should be a fun chess match

 

[zzs006]

125kg

US rep-Cole Mirasola
Redshirt freshman at PSU
3X WI state champion
Fargo runner up
#15 on FLO’s 2024 big board

Contenders-

Inal Gagloev-UWW-RUS
2025-U20 euros-1st

Yusif Dursunov-AZE
2022-U17 euros-1st, U17 worlds-8th
2023-U17 euros-1st, U17 worlds-1st, U20 euros-2nd, U20 worlds-7th
2024-U23 euros-7th, U20 euros-3rd, U20 worlds-8th
2025-U23 euros-3rd, U20 euros-2nd (lost Gagloev 11-0)

Yedige Kassimbek-KAZ
2022-U17 Asians-3rd
2023-U17 asians-1st, U17 worlds-2nd
2024-U17 Asians-1st, U17 worlds-2nd (lost to Mocco 10-0)
2025-U20 Asians-1st

Dark horses-

Levan Lagvilava-FRA
2021-cadet euros-1st, cadet worlds-14th
2022-U17 euros-3rd, U17 worlds-2nd
2023-U20 euros-3rd, U20 worlds-8th
2025-U20 euros-3rd (lost to Dursunov)

Jaspooran Singh-IND
2022-U17 worlds-3rd
2023-U17 Asians-3rd, U17 worlds-13th
2024-U17 Asians-3rd, U17 worlds-5th, U20 worlds-5th
2025-U20 Asians-3rd (lost to Kassimbek)

Abolfazl Nehad-IRI
2023-U17 Asians-2nd, U17 worlds-7th
2024-U17 Asians-5th, U17 worlds-3rd

Depth-

Aleksandre Abramishvili-GEO
2023-17 euros-3rd, U17 worlds-5th
2024-U20 euros-3rd, U20 worlds-16th
2025-U20 euros-3rd (lost to Gagloev)

Really solid weight overall. A bunch of past placers and world champions at the age group level. Gagloev is a newcomer on the world stage but absolutely destroyed everyone at U20 euros. He is the likely favorite. Tough first match against Singh who has a ton of experience and good past results. The winner likely sees Mirasola in the quarterfinals and then Kassimbek in the semis. Kassimbek has been silver at worlds twice but he was teched by Mocco 10-0 in last years U17 final. On the bottom half of the bracket Dursunov is the favorite to make the finals. He will be challenged by Nehad and Lagvilava. Dursunov won world gold in 2023 but hasn’t quite gotten back that level. Lagvilava has placed at worlds before and was just 3rd at euros where he lost to Dursunov. Behalf is someone who I think could surprise. Iran has been a heavyweight factory lately and maybe he’s next. He has good but not great results. I feel like he has a good showing though

Predictions-

Gold-Inal Gagloev-UWW-RUS
Silver-Yusif Dursunov-AZE
Bronze-Cole Mirasola-USA
Bronze-Abolfazl Nehad-IRI