What Alexandr Karelin was to Greco-Roman, Abdulrashid Sadulaev is to freestyle. Nicknamed “The Russian Tank”, Sadulaev is an embodiment of fearsome agility and Putinesque aggression. The Russian has been dominating the 97kg category for almost a decade and is known to romp his opponent with ease. The Olympic gold medallist recently added another triumph to his glorious career. Sadulaev won his fifth European title defeating Romania’s Albert Saritov this fortnight.
Dubbed as the greatest freestyle wrestler of all time Sadulaev has already booked his Tokyo 2020 seat. He now is keeping close eyes grapplers who can prove a challenge to his Olympic triumph, where his biggest challenge will come from either of the two US wrestlers – J’den Cox and Kyle Snyder are the threat to Sadulaev. Under the Olympic rules, only one would be able to represent the USA at Tokyo 2020.
Interestingly, Snyder is the 2019 World Championships bronze medallist and has an upper hand over his rival J’den Cox. The latter has changed his weight category from 92kg to 97kg and unlike Snyder, Cox will be competing in it for the first time in the Pan-America championships.
Cox, however, has agility and technique to make up for his inexperience in a new weight category. The 92kg World Champion might prove a worthy opponent for Snyder. But, Sadulaev has a different opinion.
According to the European Champion, Snyder has superior weight and it will not be an easy fixture for Cox. “He (Jaden Cox) must first pass the selection, I think it will not be easy – Snyder has superior weight. As they say, the carpet will show, and we will prepare for the Olympics with full responsibility,” Sadulaev to Russian Wrestling Federation official platform.
Sadulaev and Snyder have previously met at the 2018 World Championships final in Budapest. The Russian tank romped the US wrestler by pinning him in less than two minutes. The Russian has termed his recent European Championships gold special and also revealed how many European titles he wish to win.
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“This European Championship was not so easy, and the draw was interesting for me, I consistently met with the most serious weight contenders,” he said. “History knows the names of six- and seven-time winners. There is someone to level that off,” he added.
Sadulaev however, thinks that to reach Karelin’s record of 29 international titles, including 3 Olympic golds, will be tough but he will keep trying to get titles until he leaves his boots on the mat. “The Experiment” Karelin had won every time he played an international final, except for the 2000 Sydney Games where he had to settle for the silver.
“Probably, I will not reach the success of Alexander Karelin, but as long as there are health and opportunities, I will take the titles,” he said.
1 Comment
Thejesh SuGow
Nice article