Since all the wrestling participants for the 2024 Olympic Games are already known, we continue to break down the most interesting wrestlers in each weight class. Today we will look at freestyle wrestling in the 97 kg weight class. 

Very intriguing events took place in this weight category, the old guys are already age makes itself felt, and they have already been replaced by young talented wrestlers such as Akhmed Tajudinov, Magomedkhan Magomedov, Givi Matcherashvili and others.

Akhmed Tajudinov is currently one of the leaders of the Olympic Games. He showed himself very well at the World Championship, defeating all weight leaders – Abdulrashid Sadulaev, Kyle Snyder, and in the final he defeated Magomedkhan Magomedov. He is a student of Abdulrashid Sadulaev’s wrestling school, and that says a lot about his talent.

Abdulrashid Sadulaev is the reigning Olympic champion, but his participation in Paris is still in doubt. He has been prevented from taking part in two tournaments in a row, and no one knows how it will end. But despite the political factor, he is in good shape. He confidently wrote his name in the Russian national team for the Olympic Games, winning the pre-Olympic championship of Russia, in the final he defeated Alikhan Zhabrailov. It will be very interesting to watch him in Paris. It will probably be his last Olympics.

Kyle Snyder is also from the old guys of this weight, if you compare him with other leaders – his chances to win at the Olympics are very low. But still he is a very strong fighter and his strength should not be underestimated.

Magomedkhan Magomedov is a talented Dagestani wrestler, who plays for Azerbaijan. He is also very talented. He showed an interesting fight at the World Championships 2023, taking the 2nd place. We should expect something from him, but what exactly – we will see in Paris.

Akhmed Tajudinov (Bahrain) – World and Asian Champion

Abdulrashid Sadulaev (AIN, Russia) – Reigning Olympic Champion, five-time World Champion, four-time European Champion.

Magomedkhan Magomedov (Azerbaijan) – Vice World and European Champion.

Kyle Snyder (USA) – Reigning Olympic vice-champion, seven-time Pan American champion.

Givi Matcherashvili (Georgia) – Two-time European Champion

Ibrahim Ciftki (Turkey) – Two-time European bronze medalist

Arturo Silot Toress (Cuba)

Luis Perez (Dominican Republic)

Mostafa Elders (Egypt)

Nicholas De Lange (South Africa)

Alexander Khushtyn (AIN, Belarus)

Alisher Yergali (Kazakhstan)

Amirali Azarpira (Iran)

Eric Thiele (Germany)

Zbigniew Baranowski (Poland)

Awusaiman Habila (China)