Preview: Zagreb Open Ranking Series - Men's Freestyle & Women's Wrestling

Several high-profile Indian wrestlers have withdrawn their names from the tournament.

The Wrestling Ranking Series' season-opening event is scheduled to take place from February 1 to February 5, 2023, in Zagreb, Croatia. Men's freestyle, Greco-Roman, and women's wrestling will all feature prominent athletes to set the stage for a vital season that also includes the World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. The World Championships serve as a qualifying event for the Paris Olympics. Around 550 wrestlers are expected to compete, including Olympic, world, and continental medalists preparing for the World Championships in September. At each Ranking Series event this year, the United World Wrestling (UWW) permitted a two-kilogram weight tolerance for the wrestlers. 

After a five-year gap, the women's team from Japan will compete in a Ranking Series tournament. A majority of the Indian wrestling contingent have pulled out of the event. They have fatigue due to the protests against the federation. The wrestlers, thus, cited themselves as unfit for the competition.

We take a look at who are the prime contenders to win in their respective categories. We also look at the Indian wrestlers participating in the first Ranking Series tournament to be held in Zagreb. (Only in the Olympic weight categories) 

Zagreb Ranking Series: Men’s Freestyle events (Olympic weight categories)

57kg

In the absence of a star-studded line-up, Aliabbas Rzazade, the silver medalist at the European Championships 2022, and Liu Minghu, the 2019 Asian Championship silver medalist, are a few of the wrestlers who will be making the most out of the opportunity in the Ranking series.

Indian Participant: Aman Sehrawat

65kg

Haji Aliyev and Iszmail Muszukajev are the top two contenders for the gold medal in the men's freestyle 65 kg. It can get even more interesting if the duo face each other in a battle. Azerbaijan's Aliyev will be eyeing revenge against Iszmail. However, they might also receive some tough challenges from Puerto Rico's Sebastian Rivera, India's Sujeet, and United States' Joseph Mc Kenna.

Indian Participant: Sujeet

74kg 

The 74kg is filled with a strong group of wrestlers. Some of them are Tajmuraz Salkazanov, Younes Emami, Azerbaijan's Dzhabrail Gadzhiev, Avtandil Kentchadze, and United States' Jason Nolf. However, an encounter between two-time World Championships silver medalist wrestler from Slovakia Tajmuraz and Iran's Emami, the two-time World Championships bronze medalist, can catch a lot of eyeballs.

However, the youngster who has the potential to surprise the other wrestlers in this category is India’s Sagar. Sagar narrowly missed out on a medal opportunity, losing the bronze medal bout in the 2022 World Championships. He will now be looking to produce a strong statement.

Indian Participant: Sagar Jaglan, Narsingh Yadav

86kg

Hassan Yazdani, one of the biggest names in freestyle wrestling, will be the highlight of the men's 86 kg competition. Iran's Yazdani is unquestionably the favourite. He has won three World championships and two Olympic medals, including a gold in Rio 2016. However, he may run into opposition from a talented group of wrestlers including Abubakr Abakarov, Myles Amine, Boris Makoev, Zahid Valencia, and Mark Hall.

Indian Participant: Jointy Kumar

97kg

The tournament's biggest matchup will be between compatriots Kyle Snyder and J'den Cox in the 97 kg weight class. Cox is a two-time world champion at 92kg. He is preparing to represent the United States at 97kg, a weight class long held by Snyder. While Snyder maintains the record for being the youngest Olympic Gold medalist and World Champion in the history of American wrestling. Snyder is also the youngest wrestler in history to win the World, NCAA, and Olympic championships all in the same year, a feat which was not accomplished until he completed his trifecta at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

Indian Participant: Sahil Ahlawat

125kg

Geno Petriashvili, Dániel Ligeti, Amir Hossein Zare, Robert Baran, etc. are a few of the wrestlers who are strong contenders to win the gold medal at the tournament.

Indian Participant: Dinesh

Zagreb Ranking Series: Women’s Wrestling Events (Olympic weight categories) 

50kg

In the women's 50kg, veteran Mariya Stadnik, a four-time Olympic winner, will face a difficult assignment as she takes on three-time world champion and Tokyo Olympic champion Yui Susaki. Susaki, who is only 23 years old, has three U17 World titles, two U20 golds, and a U23 World championship in 2022.

Indian Participant: Shivani Pawar

53kg

One of the highly anticipated clashes will be taking place in the women’s freestyle 53 kg between United States’ Dominique Parrish, the reigning world champion, and Japan’s Akari Fujinami, the 2021 world champion. Fujinami couldn’t be a part of the world championships last year due to an injury. This category consists of a star-studded field comprising the 2022 world bronze medalist in 55kg, Karla Godinez, the 2021 Worlds’ medalists - Lulia Leorda, Samantha Stewart, Katarzyna Krawczyk, the 2018 bronze medalist Diana Weicker.

Indian Participant: Sushma Shokeen

57kg

In the women’s 57 kg, Helen Maroulis, a two-time Olympic medalist, and multiple World championship medalists, including three gold medals, from the United States will be the mega favourite in the first ranking series. However, she will face stiff competition from China’s Rong Ningning, a two-time World medalist, and Anastasia Nichita of Moldova, the reigning World and European champion in 59kg. Japan’s Sae Nanjo and Anhelina Lysak of Poland, the world championships 2022 bronze medalist, can also give these wrestlers a run for their money.

Indian Participant: Sito

62kg

The women’s 62 kg is one of the weight classes to watch out for. The 2022 world silver medalist Grace Bullen of Norway will be making her first appearance in this weight division. She changed her category from 59 kg. Aisuluu Tynybekova, Kayla Miracle, Taybe Yusein, and Bilyana Dudova are all competitors for the gold medal in a competitive weight class. However, Sakura Motoki is the name that might take everyone by surprise. At the Emperor's Cup, Sakura got past Nonoka Ozaki, the reigning World champion in Senior, U23, and Juniors, to earn herself a spot in the team.

Indian Participant: None in this category

68kg

In the 68 kg category, Koumba Larroque of France, China’s Fend Zhou, and Irina Ringaci are a few of the big names. Larroque is a three-time medalist at the Worlds and European Championships, having won the gold medal in the 2021 edition in the latter event. While Irina clinched the gold medal in the 2021 edition of the World Championships in the 65 kg. In her current weight class (68kg), she picked a bronze medal in the last edition.

Indian Participant: Radhika

76kg

The last women's freestyle weight class will witness Samar Hamza, Aiperi Medet Kyzy, Yelena Makoyed, and Dymond Guilford as they meet each other in the 76 kg weight class. Hamza has won the African championships on five occasions, while Kyrgyzstan’s Aiperi also has a lot of accomplishments under her belt.

Indian Participant: Kiran