2021 OSLO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS!

Just two months after Tokyo Olympics concluded, we have a full World Championships!

Weight schedule and times each day: Session 1 Qualifications/Repechage 04:30am - 08:30am EST; Session 2 Semi Finals 10:30am - 12:00pm EST; Session 3 Finals 12:00pm - 15:00pm EST

ALL VIDEO RECAPS HERE: UPDATED AFTER EACH SESSION

(as of October 9 19:30pm EST)

MEN'S FREESTYLE

Day 1 61kg Abasgadzhi Magomedov-RUS GOLD / Arsen Haruyunyan-ARM SILVER / Rahman Amouzadkhalili-IRI BRONZE / Beka Lomtadze-GEO BRONZE (predictions)

Daton Fix of USA was on the same side as Magomedov before redrawing bracket. That was actually better for his chances to medal, but now I am not so sure, as he will have to get thru Harutunyan and Lomtadze. I called the Rahman Amouzadkhali-Abasgadzhi Magomedov final and it was all good, until they redrew the bracket... I don't see Amouzad defeating Magomedov, but both will medal for sure.

Either way I am looking forward to Magomedov-Amouzad battle it out.

Session 1 Qualif. Recap

Session 2 Semi Finals Recap

Sessions 3 & 4 Medal Rounds Recap

Final Recap: Predicted correctly 2 medals including Magomedov and did not anticipate Fix to look like he did. Amouzadkhalili was a disappointment and I'm sure Iran is as well given how well the rest of the team competed so far.

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Day 1 74kg Timur Bizhoev-RUS GOLD / Khetik Tsabolov-SRB SILVER / Kyle Dake-USA BRONZE / Tajmuraz Salkazanov-SVK BRONZE (predictions)

Top seed Kyle Dake of USA sits pretty comfortably without much problem, but I see North Ossetian Khetik Tsabolov of Serbia taking him out in the 1/2 final to make all Russia Final with Timur Bizhoev who looks to do battle with Ossetian born Salkazanov of Slovakia in the 1/4 finals.

Notable American College wrestlers, Nestor Tafur (Boston U) Colombia, Mitch Finesilver (Duke) Israel and Malik Amine (Michigan) San Marino in the field look too make an impact.

Session 1 Qualif. Recap

Session 2 Semi Finals Recap

Sessions 3 & 4 Medal Rounds Recap

Final Recap: Predicted 3 medalists correctly, however none in the correct order. Bizhoev worked hard to medal here and Salkazanov just didn't have the horsepower to overcome Dake. Tsabolov was a darkhorse pick being a previous world champion for Russia.

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Day 1 86kg Hassan Cherati Yazdani-IRI GOLD / David Taylor-USA SILVER / Ethan Ramos-PUR BRONZE / Sandro Aminashvili-GEO BRONZE (predictions)

Another clash between Yazdani-Taylor, this time they're both Olympic Champions and Yazdani will stop the 3 bout losing streak against Taylor.

Ethan Ramos (UNC) of Puerto Rico peaks into form and will come back to medal after a tough fought 1/4 final with Yazdani and then overthrow Olympic Bronze Naifonov. Notable American College wrestler missing is Myles Amine (Michigan) who won Olympic Bronze for San Marino. Newman's Noel Torres however will represent Mexico.

Session 1 Qualif. Recap

Session 2 Semi Finals Recap

Sessions 3 & 4 Medal Rounds Recap

Final Recap: Hassan Yazdani Charati finally defeats David Taylor for his fourth World Championship title. I predicted this outcome, but my two bronze medal picks did not pan out..

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Day 1 125kg Geno Petriashvili-GEO GOLD / Taha Akgul-TUR SILVER / Amir Zare-IRI BRONZE /Lkhagvagerel Munkhtur-MGL BRONZE (predictions)

The saga continues despite the Olympic Champion of the USA, Gable Steveson's absence. Geno Petriahvili of Georgia and Taha Akgul of Turkey set to collide but I am taking Geno after Taha expends all his energy fighting off Zare of Iran in the 1/2 finals. Yossif Hemida (Maryland) representing Egypt, Jere Heino (Campbell) representing Finland, Dhesi (Oregon St) representing Canada, all wrestled for American Colleges and bring total of 12 American College wrestlers on Day 1!

Session 1 Qualif. Recap

Session 2 Semi Finals Recap

Sessions 3 & 4 Medal Rounds Recap

Final Recap: Only weight class I predicted correctly (so far) all 4 medalists, however only 1 was in the correct order. Very impressive run by Zare taking out both Akgul and Petrashvili. Gable Steveson posted to his Instragram directly after an Olympic photo of him, plus a crown and USA flag...

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Day 2 57kg Thomas Gilman-USA GOLD / Suleyman Atli-TUR SILVER / Toshiya Abe-JPN BRONZE / Abubakr Mutaliev-AZE BRONZE (predictions)

I'm a Thomas Gilman believer and see him plowing thru this bracket to a World Gold, despite drawing Mutaliev of Russia in the prelims, who is quite possibly the second best here. If you recall, Gilman drew Uguev of Russia first round at the Olympics and nearly held him off to advance.

I don't see it happening this time, therefore I have Mutaliev medalling as well as previous World finalist Atli of Turkey and Junior World Champion Toshiya Abe of Japan netting a medal.

Session 1 Qualif. Recap

Session 2 Semi Finals Recap

Sessions 3 & 4 Medal Rounds Recap

Final Recap: Thomas Gilman is impressive in his professionalism and maturity since he left his time in Iowa and great to see him finally grab a World Gold. Lehr had an outstanding tournament while Sarlak is not a surprise becoming a finalist the way Iran has prepared for Oslo.

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Day 2 65kg Zagir Shakhiev-RUS GOLD / Amirmohammad Yazdani-IRI SILVER / Vazgen Tevanyan-ARM BRONZE / Ali Rahimzade-AZE BRONZE (predictions)

I have been really big on Vazgen Tevanyan of Armenia, however once again, he is stuck with all the heavy hitters in a lopsided bracket like he was at the Olympics. Because of this, I have since changed my pick but have him medalling defeating Yianni for bronze.

For gold I see a pretty clear path for Zagir Shakhiev of Russia defeating little Yazdani from a fairly deflated top half of bracket.

Rahimzade is wrestling well and see him medalling from same deflated top half.

Session 1 Qualif. Recap

Session 2 Semi Finals Recap

Sessions 3 & 4 Medal Rounds Recap

Final Recap: Predicted correctly the finalists and that Shakhiev would win, but didn't think he would dominate Little Yazdani as he did. He is very close to Russia's #1 Gadzhimurad Rashidov who just won Olympic Bronze. Very disappointed in Tevanyan as I have been extremely high on him. He knocked of Yianni pretty easily but them just couldn't score next bout.

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Day 2 79kg Radik Valiev-RUS GOLD / Nika Kentchadze-GEO SILVER / Jordan Burroughs-USA BRONZE / Mohammand Nokhodilarimi-IRI BRONZE (predictions)

This is by far the oddest weight at Oslo Worlds without any clear cut favorite, other than Jordan Burroughs, but his body of work was down at the Olympic weight 74kg.

North Ossetian Radik Valiev, brother of Cherman, trains with Sidakov, Baev, Naifonov, Ramanov, Tsabolov, Tuskaev. He defeated World Cup Champion Akhmed Usmanov at the Russian Wrestle Offs 10 days ago and looks to continue his winning ways. I see him being a problem for the aging Burroughs and will take out the weaker side winner Kentchadze of Georgia.

Session 1 Qualif. Recap

Session 2 Semi Finals Recap

Sessions 3 & 4 Medal Rounds Recap

Final Recap: Jordan gets it done for his 6th World Gold medal. I never had a doubt in his ability, just that I picked the younger guys to dethrone him in the weakest of the 10 weights. Got all 4 medalists correct, just not in the correct order.

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Day 2 92kg Kamran Ghasempour-IRI GOLD / Magomed Kurbanov-RUS SILVER / Jden Cox-USA BRONZE / Osman Nurmagomedov-AZE BRONZE (predictions)

One of the smallest brackets in Oslo features Olympic Bronze Jden Cox of the United States, however Cox has showed some signs of vulnerability in both competition and making weight at the weight class above, so I have him netting bronze again. Kamran Ghasempour of Iran is a 2x U23 World Champion and has not suffered a defeat since 2013 when he was a cadet!

Kurbanov of Russia walks thru weaker side and takes Silver.

Session 1 Qualif. Recap

Session 2 Semi Finals Recap

Sessions 3 & 4 Medal Rounds Recap

Final Recap: Proud that this is the only weight I predicted all medalists in the correct order. As I mentioned in the prediction, Ghasempour has not been defeated since 2013. I have seen him exchange takedowns with Yazdani Charati to a loss at Iran's Olympic Trials and knew he would be hard to beat.

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Day 3 70kg Evgeni Zherbaev-RUS GOLD / Turan Bayramov-AZE SILVER / Ernazar Almataliev-KGZ BRONZE / Murad Gadzhiev-POL BRONZE (predictions)

Another small bracket and wide open with some young talent that I think we'll see go off. Evgeni Zherbaev of Russia stands out to the most, after having watched him compete well at Russian Nationals, and then defeat World Champion Gadzhimagomedov for this spot, he is primed to go. I picked Ernazar Almataliev of Kyrgyzstan to medal in Tokyo and he's back to pick up his first medal. Turan Baraymov of Azerbaijan takes out Batirov, Green, and Gadzhiev to make the finals.

Session 1 Qualif. Recap

Session 2 Semi Finals Recap

Sessions 3 & 4 Medal Rounds Recap

Final Recap: Predicted 3 of the 4 medalists correctly, though none in corect order. Akmataliev needed to push the pace but let the veteran Gadzhiev slow it down to a tactical affair. Zherbaev looked great and made one mistake against Akmataliev in the semis. Bayramov got hosed in my opinion and should have won, but gave exposure points the wrong way.

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Day 3 97kg Kyle Snyder-USA GOLD / Abdulrashid Sadulaev-RUS Silver / Elizbar Odikadze-GEO BRONZE / Mahamed Zakariiev-UKR BRONZE (predictions)

In meeting number 4, Kyle Snyder is ready to exact revenge in the series with Sadulaev. Just two months ago, Sadulaev won Olympic Gold over Snyder, but Kyle is a competitor and I believe we'll see something similar as Yazdani-Taylor.

Look for Kyle to come out hot and keep the pace hot, which is what he needed to do in Tokyo. The rest of the field is fighting for a bronze and see Elizbar Odikadze of Georgia finally get back on the podium after being a bronze medalist in 2018.

Session 1 Qualif. Recap

Session 2 Semi Finals Recap

Sessions 3 & 4 Medal Rounds Recap

Final Recap: No matter what I will always take Kyle Snyder for my support and relationship to him since he came to my club when he was younger. That being said he needed to bring fire. We know Sadulaev will attack immediately after a shot clock violation and that's exactly what he did plus a gut wrench. Predicted 3 of 4 medalists here.

FINALS THOUGHTS ON MEN'S FREESTYLE: Very impressed at these athletes who competed just a couple months ago in Tokyo, to lay it on the line again for bragging rights. Overall I thought the officiating was better than Tokyo, though still inconsistent passivity patterns despite the wrestling action and sequences virtually identical.

Predicted 28 of 40 medalists correctly (70%!) with 5 of 10 champions. I do think it's a function of how weak this tournament was though, so made it fairly easy to pluck out the heavy hitters.

Iran impressed me the most in this tournament and will make things very interesting in 2022 leading up to Paris Olympics 2024. Iran had 6 finalists and 3 champions and they are young and hungary!

Disappointed with Tevanyan's inconsistency, Yianni trying to wrestle like Dake, Amouzadkhalili the lone Iranian who did not medal, Snyder not legitimately attacking Sadulaev once, and the overall draws being extremely skewed and unprofessional to publish them, only to redraw them.

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WOMEN'S FREESTYLE

Day 3 55kg Olga Khoroshavtseva-RUS GOLD / Jenna Burkert- USA Silver / Roksana Zasina- POL BRONZE / Andrea Ana-ROU BRONZE (predictions)

There are a few Tokyo Olympians seeking redemption for not taking home a medal, in particular Tokyo Olympian Olga Khoroshavtseva of Russia who will need to most likely take out another Tokyo Olympian, Roksana Zasina.

Jenna Burkert defeated World Champion and Tokyo Olympian Jacarra Winchester at

the US World Team Trials and looks to be set up to get to the finals fairly easy if she wrestles smart. Both Bronze will be Tokyo Olympians.

Session 1 Qualif. Recap

Session 2 Semi Finals Recap

Sessions 3 & 4 Medal Rounds Recap

Final Recap: Tsugumi Sakurai came in no doubt as a rising star in Japan but she put an exclamation point on it here capturing a World Championship defeating Germany's Nina Hemmer who had an outstanding tournament as well. My only correct medalist pick here was Jenna Burkert of the US who got pulled back in by Hemmer who she suffered a qualification loss from.

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Day 3 62kg Aisuluu Tynybekova-KGZ GOLD / Alina Kasabieva-RUS SILVER / Kayla Miracle-USA BRONZE / Nonoka Ozaki-JPN BRONZE (predictions)

Olympic Silver Medalist Aisuluu Tynybekova came up short to become Kygyzstan's first ever Olympic Gold ever and comes to Oslo for unfinished business. She'll take out talented 2xCadet World Gold Nonoka Ozaki of Japan to win her second World Gold.

Like 55kg, the bottom half of the bracket is inexperienced but does have Kayla Mircle of the US and Alina Kasabieva of Russia who I see making the finals to be a victim of Tynybekova. Miracle will earn her first Senior World Medal as will Ozaki.

Session 1 Qualif. Recap

Session 2 Semi Finals Recap

Sessions 3 & 4 Medal Rounds Recap

Final Recap: After her heartbreaking loss of not becoming Kygyzstan's first Olympic Gold Medalist in any sport, Aisuluu Tynybekova comes back for World Gold, and not an easy path. USA's Kayla Miracle has now medaled at every level, yet Gold elludes her. Predicted Ozaki of Japan to win bronze and she did but Kasabieva did not and surprise entry Gantuya Enkhbat of Mongolia did. She was a late replacement of my friend Khurelkuu Bolortuya who won a bout in Tokyo.

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Day 4 50kg Sarah Hildebrandt-USA GOLD / Remina Yoshimoto-JPN SILVER / Nadezhda Sokolova-RUS BRONZE / Miglena Selishka-BUL BRONZE (predictions)

Top seed and Olympic Bronze medalist Sarah Hildebrandt of the United States will win her first World title with some ease, but garner fight in the finals from Remina Yoshimoto of Japan, a young star who is in Oslo due to Yui Susaki's absence.

Tokyo Olympian of Bulgaria Miglena Selishka will not be able to get passed Yoshimoto's technical prowess, but will take home her first world medal as well as Nadezhda Sokolova of Russia who has age group success internationally.

Session 1 Qualif. Recap

Session 2 Semi Finals Recap

Sessions 3 & 4 Medal Rounds Recap

Final Recap: Predicted 3 of 4 medalists and missed Selishka. The young Japanese star Remina Yoshimoto took out Sarah Hildebrant denying her of her first World Title. Sokola got it done and defeated Yashchuk of Ukraine in the bronze medal bout while Otgonjargal Dolgorjav brings home second medal for Mongolia.

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Day 4 53kg Bolortuya Batochir-MGL GOLD / Akari Fujinami-JPN SILVER / Emma Malmgrem-SWE BRONZE / Anzhelika Vetoshkina-RUS BRONZE (predictions)

This bracket is fun with lots of uncertainty, however Bolortuta Batochir, Tokyo Olympic Bronze Medalist of Mongolia will emerge and take home her first World Gold to go with her World Bronze. Akari Fujinami of Japan was only 17 when she not only defeated 2x World Champion Haruna Okuno at the All Japan Selection Championships, but she also defeated Nanami Irie who was a World Finalist.

Session 1 Qualif. Recap

Session 2 Semi Finals Recap

Sessions 3 & 4 Medal Rounds Recap

Final Recap: Japan's amazing team race with their 2nd-3rd tier wrestlers continues to amaze the world but this 17 year old Akari Fujiami has got to be the biggest headline. She outscored her opponents 41-0... 17 YEARS OF AGE. I said this would be a fun bracket with uncertainty and indeed it was. Only predicted Fujinami medalling correctly, but did not even foresee her winning by the margins she did.

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Day 4 65kg Maryia Mamashuk-BLR GOLD / Irina Ringaci-MDA SILVER / Koumba Larroque-FRA BRONZE / Johanna Mattsson-SWE BRONZE (predictions)

Maryia Mamashuk of Belarus is a Rio Olympic Finalist and has her work cut out for her with Miwa Morikawa of Japan in the 1/8 Final. Mamashuk will get back to her winning ways and make it to the finals while knocking off Olympians Kriszta Incze of Romania and Koumba Larroque of France.

Top seed Irina Ringaci of Moldova will remain at the top of the bracket and pulling Johanna Mattsson back in to repechage to win her third World Bronze since 2017 and all the way back to 2010!

Session 1 Qualif. Recap

Session 2 Semi Finals Recap

Sessions 3 & 4 Medal Rounds Recap

Final Recap: Took a longshot prediction with Maryia Mamashuk but got Irina Ringaci reaching finals correctly, however she was the only women of two finalists from Moldova to win and becomes their first Gold ever. She denied a Japan sweep of the first three women's weights on day 4 and Morikawa settled for silver. Predicted Mattson of Sweden correctly and Forest Molinari of the United States sneaks in for Bronze.

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Day 4 76kg Adeline Gray-USA GOLD / Aiperi Medet Kyzy-KGZ SILVER / Yasuha Matsuyuki-JPN BRONZE / Epp Maee-EST BRONZE (predictions)

Top Seed Adeline Gray of the United States is seeking her 6th World Title! She is coming off her second Olympics and most likely not satisfied with being a finalist. Look for Adeline to dominate.

Kyrgyzstan women wrestlers continues to impress and Aiperi Medet Kyzy creates a rivalry of sorts with Adeline and gets her rematch in the finals. Medet Kyzy nearly defeated Adeline in Tokyo and wants revenge! We need Gray-Medet Kyzy to go with Taylor-Yazdani, Sadulaev-Snyder.

Session 1 Qualif. Recap

Session 2 Semi Finals Recap

Sessions 3 & 4 Medal Rounds Recap

Final Recap: Adeline Gray won her 6th World Gold Medal after just missing becoming Tokyo Olympic Champion. Only my second Champion correctly predicted, however I did manage to get 2 of the other 2 medalists correct. The biggest upset here was Samar Hamza of Egypt over Japan's Yasuha Matsuyuki, who later lost in the semi's knocking Matsuyuki out of contention for a medal and a chance for Japan to pile on more team points.

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Day 5 57kg Helen Maroulis-USA GOLD / Solomiia Vynnyk-UKR SILVER / Sae Nanjo-JPN BRONZE / Anshu Malik-IND BRONZE (predictions)

Helen Maroulis of Maryland-USA seeks her fist World Gold Medal since Paris 2017. She is primed from Tokyo to get back to her winning ways, but will have to go through Veronika Chumikova of Russia in the 1/4 final who qualified the weight for Tokyo but was not sent. Awaiting in the 1/2 final will be either Tokyo Bronze Medalist Evelina Nikolova of Bulgaria or Sae Nanjo of Japan.

On the other side of the bracket, I see Solomiia Vynnyk of Ukraine battling Anshu of India securing the other medals.

Session 1 Qualif. Recap

Session 2 Semi Finals Recap

Sessions 3 & 4 Medal Rounds Recap

Final Recap: Helen Maroulis wins her 3rd World Gold to go with her Olympic Gold. She took out Anshu for gold, Nanjo who won Bronze, Chumikova, and Kessler. Vynnyk failed to medal after losing to Anshu, but predicted 3 of 4 correctly.

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Day 5 59kg Grace Bullen-NOR GOLD / Akie Hanie-JPN SILVER / Maya Nelson-USA BRONZE / Bilyana Dudova-BUL BRONZE (predictions)

Norway's own Grace Bullen will get back to her winning ways, after shockingly not qualifying her home country for Tokyo Olympics. She will have her work cut out for her in Bilyana Dudova of Bulgaria who owns a World Silver Medal as well as the young Japanese star, Akie Hanie who I foresee making the finals.

Maya Nelson of the United States will get passed 2x World Bronze Medalist Shoovdor Baatarjav of Mongolia to take home her first Senior level medal.

Session 1 Qualif. Recap

Session 2 Semi Finals Recap

Sessions 3 & 4 Medal Rounds Recap

Final Recap: Bilyana Dudova of Bulgaria has been a world finalist but never a champion. She knocked off Hanai, preventing Japan from exceeding 200 team points. Grace Bullen of host country Norway was a bit of a surprise losing first round. Maya Nelson of the USA unfortunately couldn't get it done against Baatarjav of Mongolia for Bronze. Predicted 2 of 4 correctly.

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Day 5 68kg Tamyra Mensah-Stock-USA GOLD / Meerim Zhumanazarova-KGZ SILVER / Blessing Oborodudu-NGR BRONZE / Rin Miyaji-JPN BRONZE (predictions)

Two Time World Champion, Olympic Champion Tamyra Mensah-Stock of the United States will add to her collection going virtually unscathed in the process.

In the hunt for silver will be Olympic Silver Medalist Blessing Oborodudu of Nigeria and Olympic Bronze Medalist Meerim Zhumanazarova of Kygyzstan. Oborodudu won't become a finalist however and Zhumanazrova will get her revenge to face TMS for gold. Rin Miyaji of Japan sneaks in for Bronze to keep Japan ahead of the US.

Session 1 Qualif. Recap

Session 2 Semi Finals Recap

Sessions 3 & 4 Medal Rounds Recap

Final Recap: Meerim Zhumanazarova joined Tynbekova in winning Kygyzstan's second gold medal, in addition to a bronze. Predicted 3 of 4 medalists correct with Miyaji becoming a finalist and Mensah-Stock taking home a bronze medal. Velieva of Russia won the other Bronze and took out my pick of Oborududu.

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Day 5 72kg Masako Furuichi-JPN GOLD / Zhamila Bakergenova-KAZ SILVER / Alla Belinska-UKR BRONZE / Kylie Welker-USA BRONZE (predictions)

Masajo Furuichi cements Japan's dominance as it's second tier teams wins the World Team Title over Team USA. Furuichi owns a World Bronze from 2019 and takes out Zhamila Bakergenova of Kazakhstan in the finals.

Kylie Welker of the United States is still in High School but owns a Junior World Gold from this summer. I look for her to take home a bronze opposite of Alla Belinska of Ukraine taking home her bronze after losing to Furuichi.

Session 1 Qualif. Recap

Session 2 Semi Finals Recap

Sessions 3 & 4 Medal Rounds Recap

Final Recap: Masako Furuichi's Gold capped off a historic team run by Japan's 2nd-3rd tier wrestlers to win the team title 196 to the United State's 147. Furuichi took out Zhamila Bakergenova of Kazakhstan. Predicted 2 of 4 correct here with both bronze medalists taking out my two picks in Welker and Belinska.

FINALS THOUGHTS ON WOMEN'S FREESTYLE: Cannot say enough how impressed I am at the Tokyo Olympic athletes coming back for Worlds just a couple months later. Japan's 2nd-3rd tier women completely dominated the rest, medaling in 9 of 10 weights with 7 finalists and four champions. Helen Maroulis coming back after all of the stress and injury is just as impressive.

Moldova had two finalists and one champion, Kyrgyzstan had two champions and one bronze, while Mongolia had 4 bronze and their Olympic medalist didn't even place!

Predicted 21 of 40 medalists correct and 4 of 10 champions.

I have learned so much more about women's wrestling since covering it at the Olympics and highly recommend the promotion and advocacy of it, not just the "support".

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MEN'S GRECO-ROMAN

Day 6 55kg Emin Sefershaev-RUS GOLD / Eldaniz Azizli-AZE SILVER / Ekrem Ozturk-TUR BRONZE / Nugzari Tsurtsumia-GEO BRONZE (predictions)

This one could not be played out any more perfect than my original preview from last week. The top 4 guys in this bracket, Sefershaev and Azizli, Ozturk and Tsurtsumia are separated properly so all have a chance to medal.

Sefershaev recently won the World Cup in Belgrade as well as the Euro Championships earlier this summer, securing the Russian spot from talented Vasilii Topoev. Sefershaev has a 9-1 head to head over Azizli who's a 2019 World Champ.

Session 1 Qualif. Recap

Session 2 Semi Finals Recap

Sessions 3 & 4 Medal Rounds Recap

Final Recap: Predicted 3 of 4 medalists, while Champion Ken Matsui of Japan not only upended my perfect prediction, but shows the depth of Japan at this weight. Sefershaev could not get his offense going and settles for Silver. Nugzari Tsurtsumia of Georgia took home Bronze as expected and Eldaniz Azizli of Azerbaijan took Bronze and could not overcome Matsui in Semis.

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Day 6 72kg Shmagi Bolkvadze-GEO GOLD / Sergei Kutuzov-RUS SILVER / Malkhas Amonyan-ARM BRONZE / Pat Smith-USA BRONZE (predictions)

The two best guys are on the same side but the Georgian Shmagi Bolkvadze emerges as champion defeating Malkhas Amonyan of Armenia in the semi finals.

The top half features U23 Champ Cengiz Arslan of Turkey, World Bronze Gevorg Sahakyan of Poland but see U23 Bronze Sergei Kutuzov of Russia emerging to finals, bringing Pat Smith along the way to his first World Medal since he gained a University World silver back in 2014. Smith is also down a weight class and looks great.

Session 1 Qualif. Recap

Session 2 Semi Finals Recap

Sessions 3 & 4 Medal Rounds Recap

Final Recap: Malkhas Amonyan of Armenia emerges at the 72kg World Champion defeating another talented Russian in Sergei Kutuzov in the finals. I saw Pat Smith's path to a medal vanish after the opponent he lost to first round, went on to lose to Kutuzov and Sahakyan went on to win Bronze over Arslan. My overall selection Shmagi Bolkvadze of Georgia lost his first bout and Sleiva of Lithuania took home Bronze. Predicted 2 of 4 medalists correctly.

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Day 6 77kg Roman Vlasov-RUS GOLD / Jesse Porter-USA SILVER / Mohammadali Geraei-IRI BRONZE / Roland Swarz-GER BRONZE (predictions)

Bottom half of the bottom bracket is absolutely stacked with 2x Olympic Champion Roman Vlasov of Russia, World Bronze Mohamadali Gereai of Iran, 2x World Bronze Aik Mnatsakanian of Bulgaria, U23 World Champion Gela Bolkvadze of Georgia. Vlasov will emerge and get back on top to gain his first World Gold since 2015.

Jesse Porter of the United States is set up perfect on the top half of the bracket which features ZERO World Medalists. He needs to make the most of this draw and get it done!

Session 1 Qualif. Recap

Session 2 Semi Finals Recap

Sessions 3 & 4 Medal Rounds Recap

Final Recap: Russia's Roman Vlasov is back on top after a 6 year hiatus from his last World title of 3. He did win Olympic Gold in Rio, but has been medaless since. His bottom 6 was a gauntlet and showed he still has what it takes. I thought Jesse Porter of the US could make the finals with no world medalists on his top 15 side of bracket but unfortunately he could not get his offense going. Predicted another 3 of 4 medalists here.

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Day 6 82kg Rafig Huseynov-AZE GOLD / Radik Kuliev-BLR SILVER / Alex Bjurberg Kessidis-SWE BRONZE / Burhan Akbudak-TUR BRONZE (predictions)

Olympic Bronze Rafig Huseynov of Azerbaijan cut a lot of weight to make 77kgs in Tokyo but he's back up to 82kg and look for him to win his first World Gold to add to his Silver. The best 3 guys are unfortunately on the top half of the bracket and see Kessidis emerge to medal over Starcevic who is also moving up from 77kg. World Silver Radik Kuliev of Belarus takes out U23 Gold Burhan Akbudak in the semis, both medalling from the weaker side of the bracket.

Session 1 Qualif. Recap

Session 2 Semi Finals Recap

Sessions 3 & 4 Medal Rounds Recap

Final Recap: Predicted 2 of 4 medalists here including Rafig Huseynov who is now a National Hero in Azerbaijan. Impressive he was able to move up from 77kg and allow his teammate Suleymanov compete and become a finalist also. My Bronze medalist pick Burhan Abudak of Turkey made the finals however Poshtam of Iran spoiled Kulieu's chances and Kessidis of Sweden couldn't defeat Akiev of Russia who won the other bronze.

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Day 7 60kg Stephen Maryanyan-RUS GOLD / Zholaman Sharshenbekov-KGZ SILVER / Vitor Ciobanu-MDA BRONZE / Aidos Sultangali-KAZ BRONZE (predictions)

This weight class could not have been drawn any more perfect. In my preview last week, I predicted these four in order and the bracket is set to result as such. Stephen Maryanyan of Russia is a World Gold & Silver Medalist at 63kg and Bronze Medalist at 59kg. Vitor Ciobanu of Moldova is a World Silver medalist but won't get passed Maryanyan and will have to settle for bronze. Zholaman Sharshenbekov will make the finals but net another silver while Aidos Sultangali of Kazakhstan gets bronze.

Session 1 Qualif. Recap

Session 2 Semi Finals Recap

Sessions 3 & 4 Medal Rounds Recap

Final Recap: Vitor Ciobanu became Moldova's first Greco World Gold Medalist defeating Zholaman Sharshenbekov of Kyrgyzstan. Ciobanu took out heavy favorite of Russia Stephan Maryanyan in the semis, but settled for Bronze. Predicted these 3 to medal, however Mammadov of Azerbaijan took the other bronze defeating my pick Sutangali of Kazakhstan.

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Day 7 97kg Artur Sargsyan-RUS GOLD / Kiril Milov-BUL SILVER / Mohammadhai Saravi-IRI BRONZE / G'Angelo Hancock-USA BRONZE (predictions)

Two of the best in this 97kg weight will face each other first round! U23 World Champion Artur Sargsyan of Russia will upset Tokyo Olympic Bronze Medalist Mohammadhai Saravi of Iran. Sargsyan is the #2 behind Olympic Champion and 2x World Champion Musa Evloev but it won't stop him from keeping gold in Russia. G'Angelo Hancock sneaks in for bronze after World Silver Medalist Kiril Milov of Bulgaria reaches the finals.

Session 1 Qualif. Recap

Session 2 Semi Finals Recap

Sessions 3 & 4 Medal Rounds Recap

Final Recap: Predicted another 3 of 4 medalists, however no champion because I had Artur Sargsyan of Russia upsetting Mohammadhai Saravi of Iran in 1/4 final, however it was Sarvi who made finals to defeat Szoke of Hungary and pulled Sargsyan back into repechage for Bronze. G'Angelo Hancock finally broke USA's medal drought knocking off my finalist pick Milov of Bulgaria.

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Day 7 130kg Iakobi Kajaia-GEO GOLD / Yasmani Acosta-CHI SILVER / Cohlton Schultz-USA BRONZE / lin Alexuc-Ciurariu-ROU BRONZE (predictions)

Tokyo Silver Medalist Iakobi Kajaia of Georgia returns to action for gold, in a field that features Yasmani Acosta of Chile who faced Kajaia in Tokyo. Acosta lost on criteria 1-1 and also lost by same score to Sergey Semenov of Russia for Bronze. The rest of the field will be vying for two bronze medals, including Cohlton Schultz of the US. Kajaia will pull him back thru to Bronze. The only other Olympian in the field is Alin Alexuc-Ciurariu of Romania will secure the other bronze. He is 2020 Euro Champ.

Session 1 Qualif. Recap

Session 2 Semi Finals Recap

Sessions 3 & 4 Medal Rounds Recap

Final Recap: Major upsets litter this bracket. Georgia's Iakobi Kajaia won bronze but I slated him to win gold and pull USA's Cohlton Schultz thru Repechage for Bronze. Instead both my finalists lost in semis 2-1, including Acosta Fernandez who did not even medal. Aliabar Yousefi is Iran's #2 130kg but still won the gold defeating Gedekhauri of Russia in the finals. Host country Norway got 1st and only medalist, a Bronze in Oskar Marvik.

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Day 8 63kg Stig Berge-NOR GOLD / Sultan Assetuly-KAZ SILVER / Meysam Dalkhani-IRI BRONZE / Leri Abuladze-GEO BRONZE (predictions)

Stig Berge winning Gold in his host country Norway would be a great exclamation point to a well accomplished career. He last won Olympic Bronze in Rio but is drawn into what I believe is the top 3 athletes in the entire bracket with Poghosyan of Armenia in the qualifications and then set up to meet Dalkhani in the 1/4 finals. Only two can potentially medal from them however. Sultan Assetuly of Kazakhstan & Leri Abuladze of Georgia will medal on the other side of the bracket.

Session 1 Qualif. Recap

Session 2 Semi Finals Recap

Sessions 3 & 4 Medal Rounds Recap

Final Recap: Meysam Dalkhani won Iran's 3rd of 4 World Greco Golds but it wasn't quite enough as Russia had 5 finalists and 1 Gold. Dalkhani slid by Abuladze in the finals. Predicted both to medal but not in finals.

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Day 8 67kg Hansu Ryu-KOR GOLD / Mohammadreza Geraei-IRI SILVER / Nazir Abdullaev-RUS BRONZE / Zaur Kabaloev-ITA BRONZE (predictions)

South Korea's HanSu Ryu last won his second World Gold in 2017. He is 33 years old now, but showed signs of youth at the Olympics in Tokyo that he still has the ability to put up points when he needs to. Olympic Champion Reza Geraei will fall to the experienced Ryu. A pair of Russians will win Bronze, Nazir Abdullaev who won Gold at World Cup in Belgrade and Zaur Kabaloev of Italy (born in Russia/Euro Games Champion) will emerge from the aftermath of Ryu and Little Geraei.

Session 1 Qualif. Recap

Session 2 Semi Finals Recap

Sessions 3 & 4 Medal Rounds Recap

Final Recap: Never a doubt Geraei could win, just more belief in my good friend HanSu Ryu. It was not Ryu's time and he'll have to bounce back in 2022. Geraei on the otherhand just keeps finding ways to win. He was losing 6-1 twice, 1/8 final and 1/2 final and came back once with a fall, and the other scored 6 points under 45 seconds! He is by far my outstanding wrestler of the entire event.

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Day 8 87kg Islam Abbasov-AZE GOLD / Kiryl Maskevich-BLR SILVER / Zurabi Datunaskvili-SRB BRONZE / Istvan Takacs-HUN BRONZE (predictions)

Islam Abbasov of Azerbaijan does not own a world medal yet, but has victories over Olympic & World Finalist Viktor Lorincz of Hungary, World Gold Maksim Manukyan of Armenia, Olympic Champion Davit Chakvetadze of Russia, and 2x Olympic Bronze Denis Kudla of Germany. He needs to go thru the best 5 in the bracket just to meet World Cup Gold Medalist Kiryl Maskevich of Belarus. Istvan Takacs of Hungary also has a win over countryman Viktor Lorincz and will take bronze.

Session 1 Qualif. Recap

Session 2 Semi Finals Recap

Sessions 3 & 4 Medal Rounds Recap

Final Recap: Zurabi Datunaskvili of Serbia, formerly of Georgia on 3 very close bouts before dominating Maskevich in the finals. His half of the bracket was very tough and emerged as the best. Predicted 2 of 4 here as my champion prediction had an off day, despite his amazing head to head victories.

FINALS THOUGHTS ON MEN'S GRECO

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OSLO TAKEAWAYS: Men's Greco had the most participants with 242, Men's Freestyle 240, Women's Freestyle 168. Greco also had the largest bracket (31) and only one with over 30 athletes.

Men's Freestyle-Predicted 28 of 40 (70%) medalists and 5 of 10 champions

Women's Freestyle-Predicted 21 of 40 (53%) medalists and 4 of 10 champions

Men's Greco-Roman-Predicted 23 of 40 (58%) medalists and 2 of 10 champions

OVERALL PREDICTIONS, Predicted 72 of 220 (60%) medalists and 11 of 30 (37%) champions