Evloev returns after five years

Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Russia, Turkiye, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan are among the countries bringing full Greco-Roman squads for the Budapest Wrestling Ranking Series starting today.

Russian Musa Evloev was among the best wrestlers in the world and he confirmed that by winning the 97kg Greco-Roman gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. A two-time world champion, Evloev was at the peak of his career from 2018 to 2021 and will be back to reclaim his position.

After losing to legend Artur Aleksanyan of Armenia at the 2017 World Championships, Evloev went on an unbeaten run. He defeated Aleksayan in the 2018 World Championships final, 2020 Individual World Cup and the Tokyo final.

However, Evloev has not competed since. He made his comeback at the Benur Pashayan Memorial held in Armenia, but lost his first bout, 3-2, to another Armenian in the form of U23 world champion Hayk Khloyan.

In Budapest, Evloev would be keen on addressing his shortcomings and getting used to competing, especially under new Greco-Roman rules.

In addition to Khloyan, world bronze medalist Arif Niftullayev of Azerbaijan, two German young stars Darius Kieffer and Lucas Lazogianis, European medalist Alex Szoke of Hungary, Asian silver medalist Nitesh Of India, former U20 world champion Islam Yevloyev of Kazakhstan, and Olympic bronze medalist Uzur Dzhuzupbekov of Kyrgyzstan are also in the entries.

Uzbekistan is bringing a strong squad to Budapest led by world champion Aytjan Khalmakhanov. Since winning the 63kg gold last year, Khalmakhanov has moved up to 67kg and won the Zagreb Open and U23 Asian Championships.

He will now face the 67kg field in Budapest that includes European medalist Slavik Galstyan of Armenia, U23 world champion Mohamed Abdelrehim of Egypt, European medalist Diego Chkhikvadze of Georgia, among others.

World silver medalist Alisher Ganiev of Uzbekistan is also in a tough bracket at 60kg. Olympic medalist Zholaman Sharshenbekov of Kyrgyzstan will be at 60kg after a stint at 63kg at the Ulaabaatar Open in which he lost a group bout but still won gold.

Azerbaijan duo Elmir Aliyev and Nihad Guluzade both will be tough opponents for Ganiev, who is be joined by compatriot Mehroj Bakhramov of Uzbekistan and Russians Anvar Allakhiarov and Sadyk Lalaev too, can cause trouble.

Uzbekistan, perhaps to select teams for the World Championships and the Asian Games, have entered two wrestlers in almost all weights. At 77kg, world medalist Abdullo Aliev of Uzbekistan and his Asian team medalist Doniyorkhon Nakibov will be up against some big names.

Former U20 world champion Moustafa Alameldin of Egypt has moved up to 77kg while age-group world champion Anri Putkaradze of Georgia will be making his senior debut. Hungary has entered three wrestlers, Robert Fritsch, Levente Levai and Zoltan Levai, making the field even deeper.

Others at 77kg include Idris Ibaev of Germany, Alexandru Solovei of Moldovia, Ali Arsalan of Serbia and Joel Adams of the USA.

Since finishing 10th at the Paris Olympics, former world champion Ali Cengiz of Turkiye has not been competing. He will mark his return in Budapest at 87kg, but can he challenge the young field after his two-year absence?

Asian champion Asan Zhanyshov of Kyrgyzstan will be his biggest test apart from the three Hungarian hammers Tamas Levai, Erik Szilvassy and Istvan Takacs.

Georgian Achiko Bolkvadze is also entered in the bracket and can make a run to the gold medal on his day.

At 82kg, Akzhol Makhmudov of Kyrgyzstan will be up against old nemesis Demeu Zhadrayev of Kazakhstan, the Paris Olympic silver medalist who shattered Makhmudov’s dreams of winning a gold medal.

Asian champion and Qatar history-maker Shahin Badaghimofrad at 82kg will be among the wrestlers eyeing gold in Budapest. A win here will make him one of the favorites to win gold in Astana. Burhan Akbudak of Turkiye is also entered.

Kerem Kamal of Turkiye will have his task cut out at 63kg against Asian champion Aftandil Taalaibek Uulu of Kyrgyzstan, European champion Sergey Emelin and his Russian teammate Zhambolat Lokyaev who will also wrestle for the first time since 2021.

At 130kg, most countries have gone with two Hungarian wrestlers. Laszlo Darabos and Darius Vitek are medal contenders at home. Kazakhstan has gone with Olzhas Syrlybay and Alimkhan Syzdykov.

Former European champion Sergei Semenov of Russia is back and will battle his younger teammate Marat Kamparov as both seek places on Russia’s World Championships team. The United States has gone with three wrestlers, Aden Attao, Adam Coon and Cohlton Schultz.