The 2024 Olympics are set to go down in Paris, France with wrestling being featured August 5-11. The 74 kg weight class might be the deepest of any in the world and is highlighted by Team USA’s four-time world champion Kyle Dake and defending world/Olympic champion Zaurbek Sidakov. Check out the article below for a full preview of this incredible weight class with full medal predictions.

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The 74 kg 2024 Olympic Participants

Qualified At 2023 Worlds

Gold - Zaurbek Sidakov, AIN (RUS) - *ineligible

Silver - Kyle Dake, USA

Bronze - Khetik Tsabolov, SRB

Bronze - Daichi Takatani, JPN

5th Place - Georgios Kougioumtsidis, GRE

Sidakov Replacement - Feng Lu, CHN

Continentals Qualifiers

Pan-Ams - Geandry Garzon, CUB

Pan-Ams - Anthony Montero, VEN

African & Oceania - Amr Hussen, EGY

African & Oceania -  Bacar Ndum, GBS

Euros - Turan Bayramov, AZE

Euros - Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov, AIN (BLR) - *initially ruled ineligible but now cleared to compete

Kadimagomedov's Replacement - Frank Chamizo, ITA

Asians - Razambek Zhamalov, UZB

Asians - Younes Emami, IRI

Last Chance World Qualifier

Tajmuraz Salkazanov, SVK

Viktor Rassadin, TJK

Chermen Valiev, ALB

74 kg Olympians' Accolades 

• Kyle Dake, USA - 2020 Olympic Bronze, 4-time World Champion, 2023 World Silver
• Frank Chamizo, ITA - 2015 & 2017 World Champion, 2019 World Silver, 2016 Olympic Bronze
• Khetik Tsabolov, SRB - 2014 World Champion, 2017 World Silver, 2023 World Bronze, 
• Daichi Takatani, JPN - 2023 World Bronze, 2014 U20 World Bronze, 2011 U17 World Bronze
• Geandry Garzon, CUB - 2010 World Bronze, 2007 World Silver, 2006 World Silver, 2005 World World Bronze
• Younes Emami, IRI - 2019 & 2022 World Bronze, 2017 U23 World Bronze, 2013 U17 World Silver
• Tajmuraz Salkazanov, SVK - 2021 & 2022 World Silver, 2019 World Bronze, 2018 U23 World Champion
• Bekzod Abdurakhmonov, UZB - 2020 Olympic Bronze, 2014 & 2018 World Bronze
• Georgios Kougioumtsidis, GRE - 2018 U17 World Silver
• Turan Bayramov, AZE - 2019 U23 World Champion, 2021 & 2019 U20 World Bronze, 2018 U17 World Champion 
• Chermen Valiev, ALB - 2021 U23 World Champion, 2019 U23 World Silver
• Razambek Zhamalov, UZB - 2019 U23 World Champion, 2018 U20 World Silver

74 kg Olympic Seeds

1. Kyle Dake, USA
2. Turan Bayramov, AZE
3. Georgios Kougioumtsidis, GRE
4. Daichi Takatani
5. Kehtik Tsabolov, SRB
6. Feng Lu, CHN
7. Tajmuraz Salkazanov, SVK
8. Baca Ndum, GBS

Zaurbek Sidakov

Russia's three-time world champion and Tokyo Olympic champion Zaurbek Sidakov has not been cleared by the IOC to compete at the Paris Olympics. Because of the war with Ukraine, Russian athletes had to be cleared to compete as neutral athletes at the Olympics and Sidakov did not meet the proper requirements to compete.

The Favorite - Kyle Dake's Quest For Olympic Gold

• Kyle Dake, USA

With Zaurbek Sidakov out of the Olympics, Kyle Dake is a huge favorite to win gold in Paris. Dake has head-to-head victories over many of the top wrestlers in this field with wins over fellow Olympians Frank Chamizo, Tajmuraz Salkazanov, Georgios Kougioumtsidis, Daichi Takatani, Younes Emami, and Geandry Garzon. Dake is a 4-time world champion and has only suffered 2 losses in the last 6 years - one to Sidakov in the 2023 World Finals and the other to Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov at the Tokyo Olympics. Dake has proven to be a tier above everyone else in the world at 74 kg and will be the favorite in every match in Paris. 

Kyle Dake's win in the 2021 World Finals over Tajmuraz Salkazanov:

The Contenders - Who Can Defeat Dake?

• Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov, AIN (BLR)
• Khetik Tsabolov, SRB
• Razambek Zhamalov, UZB
• Frank Chamizo, ITA

There are several medal contenders at 74 kg but the above wrestlers pose the biggest threat to knocking off Dake. First up is the aforementioned Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov who shocked Kyle Dake at the Tokyo Olympics with an 11-0 tech fall in the quarterfinals. Beyond the win over Dake, Kadimagomedov also boasts a victory over Zaurbek Sidakov from the 2017 Russian Nationals in a controversial 6-2 decision. That makes Kadimagomedov the only man in the world who holds wins over both Dake and Sidakov. So why isn’t Kadi a favorite to win gold at the Olympics? This is mainly due to Kadi’s performance at last year’s world championships where he lost in the first round to Georgios Kougioumtsidis. Despite that loss, Kadimagomedov is still one of the best 74 kg wrestlers in the world and he’ll be a dangerous opponent for anyone in this bracket in Paris. 

Kadimagomedov’s win over Sidakov from the 2017 Russian Nationals:

Khetik Tsabolov is another contender to watch out for at 74 kg. Tsabolov is a former Russian, and now represents Serbia internationally. Tsabolov won a bronze medal at last year’s world championships where he lost narrowly to Sidakov (6-4) but defeated Turan Bayramov and Younes Emami. A 2014 World Champion, Tsabolov has been one of the best wrestlers in the world for a decade and even holds two wins over Zaurbek Sidakov. Tsabolov defeated Sidakov 3-1 at the 2018 Yarygin and 9-3 at the 2020 Russian Nationals. Tsabolov will be the #5 seed at the Olympics so he’ll be opposite Sidakov but on the same side as Dake. Tsabolov and Dake have never wrestled in their international careers and would be an incredible Olympic semi-final match.

Tsabolov’s win over Sidakov from the 2020 Russian Nationals: 

Another contender at 74 kg is Razambek Zhamalov who just earned the Olympic spot by winning the Budapest Ranking Series tournament by defeating Murad Kuramgomedov in the finals. Zhamalov beat out veteran Bekzod Abdurakhmonov for the Olympic spot - Bekzod won bronze at the Budapest Rankings Tournament and lost to the aforementioned Kuramagomeodov.

Zhamalov is a Russian transfer who is just 26 years old and hasn’t yet wrestled at a senior worlds or Olympics. Zhamalov has battled injuries over the past few years and has been stuck behind Sidakov at 74 kg for Russia. However, no∂w healthy and representing Uzbekistan, Zhamalov has the ability to win gold in Paris. Zhamalov has career wins over Khetik Tsabolov, Frank Chamizo, Tajmuraz Salkazanov, Mohammad Nokhodi, and several other top wrestlers in the world. Zhamalov also wrestled Sidakov to a 2-2 loss at the 2021 Russian Nationals and is absolutely capable of winning gold in Paris. 

Zhamalov's recent win in the finals of the Budapest Ranking Series Tournament over Murad Kuramgomedov:

Chamzio initially failed to qualify after losing a controversial match to Turan Bayramov at the European Qualifier then Chamizo lost a close, 5-5 decision to Chermen Valiev at the World Qualifier. However, Chamizo was allowed into the Olympics as a late replacement for Kadimagomedov (who was later ruled eligible). Despite being a little past his prime, Chamizo is as dangerous as anyone in the field and has notable career wins over Razambek Zhamalov, Jordan Burroughs, Khetik Tsabolov, Turan Bayramov, and several other top-ranked wrestlers in the world. Chamizo has also wrestled Kyle Dake twice but was unsuccessful in both matches losing 5-0 at the Olympics and 4-3 in 2020. 

Who Else Can Medal At 74 kg? So Many Russians…

• Tajmuraz Salkazanov, SVK
• Viktor Rassadin, TJK
• Chermen Valiev, ALB
• Daichi Takatani, JPN
• Younes Emami, IRI

If you consider the number of wrestlers who are capable of medaling at the Olympics, 74 kg might be the deepest weight in the world. I wouldn’t be surprised if any of the above five wrestlers medal in Paris - they’re all that good and have had results that suggest they’re able to reach the podium. Of the above list, there are 3 Russians now representing other countries who are medal threats. If you’ve been keeping track, there’s a total of 7 Russians who will be wrestling in the 74 kg bracket at the Olympics. That stat is remarkable in and of itself but also shows how good Sidakov is that so many top-tier wrestlers had to transfer to other countries in order to compete at the Olympics.

Tajmuraz Salkazanov is the most accomplished as a two-time world silver medalist, world bronze medalist, and 4-time European Champion. Salkazanov is a Russian now representing Slovakia and has career victories over Razambek Zhamalov, Frank Chamizo, Turan Bayramov, Soner Demirtas, David Baev, Younes Emami, and a host of other top guys at 74 kg. Salkazanov had his worst performance at the world championships last year when he was upset by Georgios Kougioumtsidis and failed to place. Salkazanov has also never defeated Kyle Dake or Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov despite wrestling them multiple times. Salkazanov might not be a gold medal favorite but his overall results prove he’ll contend for a medal in this deep bracket.

Salkazanov's win over Zhamalov at the 2021 European Championships:

Viktor Rassadin and Cherman Valiev are two other medal threats in the 74 kg field who are also Russians now representing other countries. Rassadin never made a senior world team but placed at Russian Nationals 4 times (silver in 2016 & 2017 and bronze in 2014 & 2022). Most recently, Rassadin won a silver medal at the Asian championships and qualified for the Olympics at the World Olympic Games Qualifier where he defeated Chermen Valiev, Zelimkhan Khadjiev, and Nurkozha Kaipanov. 

Despite losing to Rassadin at the World Olympic Qualifier, Chermen Valiev punched his ticket to Paris by defeating bast world medalists Frank Chamizo and Avtandil Kentchadze at the qualifier. Valiev has some of the best defense in the world and has several notable wins in his senior-level career including victories over Jason Nolf, Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov, David Baev, Viktor Rassadin, Timur Bizhoev, and several other top guys in the world. Valiev won a U23 world title in 2021 but has never competed at a senior world championships. 

Valiev's win over Jason Nolf in the finals of the 2021 Yarygin:

The two non-Russian medal contenders are Japan’s Daichi Takatani and Iran’s Younes Emami. Both are past world medalists with Takatani winning world bronze last year and Emami claiming bronze in 2019 and 2022. Takatani surprised everyone last year when he took out Frank Chamizo in the first round at worlds and then suffered a close loss to Kyle Dake, 6-4. Takatani has lightning-quick leg attacks to both sides of the body and has the athleticism to compete with anyone in this weight class.

Takatani's win over Frank Chamizo at the 2023 World Championships:

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Emami lost to Zaurbek Sidakov (6-0) and Khetik Tsabolov (11-4) last year and failed to bring home a medal Worlds. However, his overall ledger proves he’ll be a tough out in Paris and has the senior level victories to back that up. In the past few years, Emami has notable victories over Avtandil Kentchadze, Tajmuraz Salkazanov, Turan Bayramov, Daichi Takatani, and James Green. This will be Emami’s first Olympics and we can expect the best from him in Paris. 

Emami's win over Salkazanov at the 2023 Zagreb Open:

Sleepers And Landmines

• Turan Bayramov, AZE
• Georgios Kougioumtsidis, GRE

The above two wrestlers are guys who I would be surprised to see on the medal stand but wouldn’t be shocked if they defeated any of the contenders. Georgios Kougioumtsidis is only 22 years old and won a European championship in 2022 up at 79 kg. Beyond that, Kougioumtsidis had a breakout performance at last year’s world championships where he upset Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov in the first round and also took out two-time world silver medalist Tajmuraz Salkaznov before falling to Kyle Dake and Daichi Takatani. Despite those two losses, Kougioumtsidis defeated Turan Bayramov in the true 5th-place match to punch his ticket to the Olympics. Kougioumtsidis is one of the better scramblers at 74 kg and has a variety of leg attacks to threaten any opponent he’ll face in the bracket.

Kougioumtsidis' win over Kadimagomedov at the 2023 World Championships:

Azerbaijan’s Turan Bayramov is only 23 and has won both U17 and U23 world titles. Bayramov is a crafty wrestler whose limp leg defense might be the best in the world. Bayramov has defeated several past world medalists including James Green, Frank Chamizo, Vasyl Mykhailov, and Soner Demirtas. So why don’t I consider him a legitimate medal contender? Bayramov has a hard time wrestling a full six minutes and will often lose matches late. Beyond that, Bayramov struggles to generate his own offense against some of the best defensive wrestlers in the world. Bayramov has all of the talent to reach the podium but he’ll have to improve on some holes in his game before the Olympics. 

Bayramov's win over James Green at the 2021 World Championships:

Who Wins Gold At 74 kg?

Kyle Dake is one of the most accomplished wrestlers in the history of American wrestling but an Olympic gold medal is the one accolade he's missing. I believe Dake is the best wrestler in the 74kg bracket and will finally win Olympic gold in Paris. Dake will be tested by many of the Russian transfers but Dake is the most complete wrestler in the field and should be considered the gold medal favorite. 

Full 74 kg Medal Predictions

Gold - Kyle Dake, USA

Silver - Razambek Zhamalov, UZB

Bronze - Tajmuraz Salkazanov, SVK

Bronze - Chermen Valiev, ALB