Olympic Games Preview Series: 57 kg Freestyle
57 kg is wide open and that is why I love this weight so much. There are so many guys in the hunt for a gold medal, but only one will be coming home with the coveted medal. What's unbelievable is the story lines are even better then the competition at this weight. 57 kg has bad guys, incredible underdog stories, and grizzly veterans that will do anything to bring home 1 more medal. There is a lot to love about this weight and there will be plenty of great action in it on Friday.
Favorite:
Vladimer Khinchegashvili Georgia- For only being 25, Khinchegashvili has been around the block a time or two already. The 2015 World champion has an Olympic silver medal, another World medal, and has been wrestling in World Championships well before 2012. The young man from Georgia's specialty is he is a fighter and will battle to the very end. He showed that last year in Las Vegas when he snagged two takedowns in less than thirty seconds to win the
gold and will be looking to replicate that success in Rio.
Contenders:
Hassan Rahimi Iran- The 2013 World champion and four time World medalist is more then ready to climb on top of the podium at these Olympics. The 27 year old Iranian has been a fixture at this weight for many years, but was unable to claim a medal in 2012. He will also be extra hungry after last year's disappointing loss to Khicnhegashvili in last year's World finals.
Haji Aliev Azerbaijan- The two-time World champion at 61 kg has made the cut down for the Olympics and will be right in the mix for gold in Rio. He has proven that he can make weight and still compete at a high level after having a very competitive match with Khinchegashvili at this year's European Championships. Despite losing the match, Aliev showed the entire world that he will be a force to reckon with on Friday.
Viktor Lebedev Russia- I despised Viktor Lebedev long before he was given a Russian National title and got into the Olympics despite being banned initially. I dislike Lebedev for how he wrestles and approaches matches. It seems like he does just enough to get by and win, but never will do more then that. Even though I extremely dislike him, the two-time World champion will be right in the thick of things.
Dark Horses:
Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez Cuba- Bonne Rodriguez was made to be in the dark horse category. The guy could beat anyone in the world, but he could also lose to anyone in the world. No matter what the circumstance is though, he is a joy to watch and a must see attraction in Rio.
Dan Dennis USA- Dennis is one of those guys where you are not sure where he matches up with everyone else in the world. He gave Khinchegashvili and Rahimi great matches at the World Cup, but can he repeat or top those performances on Friday? His X-factors will be his monkey strength and his insane gut wrench. If he can get on top of guys, it will a great Olympics for the wild man out of Iowa.
Predictions:
Even though he is not an overwhelming favorite, I have Vladimer Khinchegashvili taking home the gold medal in Rio. The guy has been unstoppable since Las Vegas and shows no signs of slowing down. After Khinchegashvili, I have Aliev claiming the silver medal. At the two bronze medal spots I have Rahimi and Yang Kyong-il of North Korea. Rahimi could very well find himself on the top of the medal stand and Kyong-il is a two-time World champion that is coming out of retirement, so we will see if he still has it. For Dan Dennis to medal he is going to have to show up and fight to the death with everyone of these guys. The tougher the match, the better he is.
Gold: Vladmier Khinchegashvili
Silver: Haji Aliev
Bronze: Hassan Rahimi
Bronze: Yang Kyong-il
5th; Dan Dennis
5th Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez