No country has dominated the wrestling landscape in the past decade as Russia has. The Russian Federation has no intention of slowing down after capturing five team titles in the past three years. Whom will Russia turn to continue their recent dominance? Let’s take a closer look.
-Musa Evloev: Ever since his senior-level debut in 2012, the 27-year-old Moscow native is getting better with age. The top-ranked Greco-Roman wrestler in 97kg has not lost a match in more than two years. The two-time defending world champion has accumulated 60 Ranking Series points and is poised and ready to add to his growing list of world and continental championship. And not to forget a shot at Olympic glory too.
-Zaurbek Sidakov: In a loaded 74kg weight class, glistening with legendary names like Jordan Burroughs and Frank Chamizo, a young 24-year-old Russian is out to prove that the changing of the baton is no fluke. The two-time defending world champion has secured wins over both Chamizo and Burroughs at the past two world championships and has not lost a fight since dropping one on his home soil back at the Ivan Yarygin in 2018. With a blend of technical ability and power, it is no surprise that Sidakov is rising to the top.
-Natalia Vorobieva: The 29-year-old, mother of one capped off a successful comeback season in 2019, capturing her second world title in her first since 2015 in which she won gold in Nur-Sultan. The 2012 Olympic gold medallist and Rio Games silver medallist has her sight set at the third Olympic medal when the quadrennial tournament arrives in Tokyo in 2021.
-Roman Vlasov: He is a two-time Olympic champion and a look to become just the third Greco-Roman wrestler to win three gold medals if he can take care of business in Japan. The 29-year-old has built a reputation for being one of the strongest in the Russian weight room. He has used that strength on many occasions to launch opponents in his numerous world and continental performances.
-Abdulrashid Sadulaev: The young 23-year-old will be looking for his second Olympic title in 2021. Nobody has been more dominant in the past five years than the Russian tank. The armour has been uncrackable with 15 shut out wins at world championship competition. He has locked up the number one seed for the upcoming Olympic Games.
With this type of talent, Russia is locked and loaded to continue its dominance in 2021.
