UPDATED: International journalists make Olympic wrestling champion predictions


Various journalists
08/12/2008

Prior to each Olympics, TheMat.com asks international journalists for their predictions of the champions at the Olympic Games in wrestling. Additional selections will be posted as they are received prior to the start of wrestling on August 12

ANDREW HIPPS
RevWrestling.com (USA)
Greco-Roman champions
55 kg/121 lbs. - Hamid Sourian Reinhanpour (Iran)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Armen Nazarian (Bulgaria)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Farid Mansurov (Azerbaijan)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Volodym Shastykym (Ukraine)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Brad Vering (United States)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Ramaz Nozadze (Georgia)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Khasan Baroev (Russia)

Men's freestyle champions
55 kg/121 lbs. – Besik Kudukhov (Russia)
60 kg/132 lbs. – Mavlet Batirov (Russia)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Otar Tushishvili (Turkey)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Bouvaisa Saitiev (Russia)
84 kg/185 lbs. – Georgi Ketoev (Russia)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Shirvani Muradov (Russia)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Artur Taimazov (Uzbekistan)

Women's freestyle champions
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Chiharu Icho (Japan)
55 kg/121 lbs. – Saori Yoshida (Japan)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Kaori Icho (Japan)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. – Ali Bernard (United States)

BOZIDAR MINKOV and KRASI STANKOVA
Bulgarian Wrestling Federation website(Bulgaria)
Greco-Roman champions
55 kg/121 lbs. - Hamid Surian (Iran)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Armen Nazarian (Bulgaria)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Nikolai Gergov (Bulgaria)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Manuhar Kirkvelia (Georgia)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Aleksei Mishin (Russia)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Ramaz Nozadze (Georgia)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Mijail Lopez (Cuba)

Men's freestyle champions
55 kg/121 lbs. - Baara Naranbaatar (Mongolia)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Mavlet Batirov (Russia)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Serafim Barzakov (Bulgaria)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Buvaisar Saitiev (Russia)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Reza Yazdany (Iran)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Georgi Gogselidze (Georgia)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Artur Taimazov (Uzbekistan)

Women's freestyle champions
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Chiharo Icho (Japan)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Saori Yoshida (Japan)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Kaori Icho (Japan)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Stanka Zlateva (Bulgaria)

JASON BRYANT
Media Sports Productions (USA)
Greco-Roman champions
55kg/121 lbs.: Hamid Sorian Reihanpour (Iran)
60kg/132 lbs.: David Bedinadze (Georgia)
66kg/145.5 lbs.: Nikolay Gergov (Bulgaria)
74kg/163 lbs.: Mark Madsen (Denmark)
84kg/185 lbs.: Brad Vering (USA)
96kg/211.5 lbs.: Ramaz Nozadze (Georgia)
120kg/264.5 lbs.: Dremiel Byers (USA)

Men's freestyle champions
55kg/121 lbs: Dilshod Mansurov (Uzbekistan)
60kg/132 lbs: Mavlet Batirov (Russia)
66kg/145.5 lbs.: Otar Tushishvili (Georgia)
74kg/163 lbs.: Bouvasia Saitiev (Russia)
84kg/185 lbs.: Georgi Ketoev (Russia)
96kg/211.5 lbs.: Daniel Cormier (USA)
120kg/264.5 lbs.: Artur Taimazov (Uzbekistan)

Women's freestyle champions
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Irini Merleni (Ukraine)
55kg/121 lbs - Marcie Van Dusen (USA)
63kg/138.75 lbs.- Kaori Icho (Japan)
72kg/158.5 lbs. - Ali Bernard (USA)

MAAHYAR RASSAEI
Freelance journalist (USA)
Greco-Roman champions
55 kg/121 lbs. - Hamid Sorian Reihanpour (Iran)
60 kg/132 lbs. - David Bedinadze (Georgia)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Farid Mansurov (Azerbaijan)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Mark Madsen (Denmark)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Alexej Mishin (Russia)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Ramaz Nozadze (Georgia)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Hassan Bareov (Russia)

Men's freestyle champions
55 kg/121 lbs. - Besik Kudukhov (Russia)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Mavlet Batirov (Russia)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Geandry Garzon (Cuba)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Bouvaisa Saitiev (Russia)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Reza Yazdani (Iran)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Saeed Abrahimi (Iran)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Alexis Rodriguez (Cuba)

Women's freestyle champions
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Chiharu Icho (Japan)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Saori Yoshida (Japan)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Kaori Icho (Japan)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Kyoko Hamaguchi (Japan)

MIKE FINN
W.I.N. Magazine (USA)
Greco-Roman champions
55 kg/121 lbs. - Hamid Sourian Reinhanpour (Iran)
60 kg/132 lbs. - David Bedinadze (Georgia)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Steeve Guenot (France)
74 kg/163 lbs. - T.C. Dantzler (USA)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Alexei Mishin (Russia)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Ramaz Nozadze (Georgia)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Mijian Lopez (Cuba)

Men's freestyle champions
55 kg/121 lbs. - Besik Kudukhov (Russia)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Mavlet Batirov (Russia)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Doug Schwab (USA)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Ibragim Aldatov (Ukraine)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Georgi Ketoev (Russia)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Daniel Cormier (USA)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Beylal Makhov (Russia)

Women's freestyle champions
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Chiharu Icho (Japan)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Marcie Van Dusen (USA)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Xu Hai Yan (China)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Stanka Zlateva (Bulgaria)

ISTVAN SZEKERES
Editor-in-chief of the FILA News (Hungary)
Greco-Roman champions
55 kg/121 lbs. - Hamid Soryan Reihanpour (Iran)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Jung Ji-hyun (Korea)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Tamas Lorincz (Hungary)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Mark Madsen (Denmark)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Alexey Mishin (Russia)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Karam Gaber (Egypt)
120 kg/264.5 lbs - Mijail Lopez (Cuba)

Men's freestyle champions
55 kg/121 lbs. - Namik Sevdimov (Azerbaijan)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Seyed Mohammadi (Iran)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Irbek Farniev (Russia)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Ben Askren (USA)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Georgi Ketoev (Russia)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Khadzimourad Gatsalov (Russia)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Belyal Makhov (Russia)

Women's freestyle champions
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Irini Melnik-Merlini (Ukraine)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Saori Yoshida (Japan)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Kaori Icho (Japan)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Stanka Zlateva (Bulgaria)

CRAIG SESKER
TheMat.com (USA)
Greco-Roman champions
55 kg/121 lbs. - Hamid Surian (Iran)
60 kg/132 lbs. - David Bedinadze (Georgia)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Farid Mansurov (Azerbaijan)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Mark Madsen (Denmark)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Brad Vering (USA)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Ramaz Nozadze (Georgia)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Mijail Lopez (Cuba)

Men's freestyle champions
55 kg/121 lbs. - Besik Kudukhov (Russia)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Yandro Quintana (Cuba)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Otar Tushishvili (Georgia)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Ben Askren (USA)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Georgi Ketoev (Russia)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Shamil Muradov (Russia)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Artur Taimazov (Uzbekistan)

Women's freestyle champions
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Chiharo Icho (Japan)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Marcie Van Dusen (USA)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Kaori Icho (Japan)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Stanka Zlateva (Bulgaria)

EDDIE GOLDMAN
No Holds Barred (USA)
Greco-Roman champions
55 kg/121 lbs. - Hamid Sorian Reihanpour, Iran
60 kg/132 lbs. - David Bedinadze, Georgia
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Li Yanyan, China
74 kg/163 lbs. - Mark Madsen, Denmark
84 kg/185 lbs. - Alexei Mishin, Russia
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Karam Gaber, Egypt
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Mijain Lopez, Cuba

Men's freestyle champions
55 kg/121 lbs. - Besik Kudukhov, Russia
60 kg/132 lbs. - Mavlet Batirov, Russia
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Chun Song Yang, DPR of Korea
74 kg/163 lbs. - Bouvaisa Saitiev, Russia
84 kg/185 lbs. - Georgi Ketoev, Russia
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Khadjimurad Gatsalov, Russia
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Artur Taymazov, Uzbekistan

Women's freestyle champions
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Li Xiaomei, China
55 kg/121 lbs. - Saori Yoshida, Japan
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Kaori Icho, Japan
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Stanka Zlateva, Bulgaria

JEFF BREESE
InterMat (USA)
Greco-Roman champions
55 kg/121 lbs. - Hamid Sorian Reihanpour (Iran)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Makoto Sasamoto (Japan)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Steeve Guenot (France)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Mark Madsen (Denmark)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Brad Vering (United States)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Ramaz Nozadze (Georgia)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Dremiel Byers (United States)

Men's freestyle champions
55 kg/121 lbs. - Henry Cejudo (United States)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Mavlet Batirov (Russia)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Ramazan Shahin (Turkey)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Bouvaisa Saitiev (Russia)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Georgi Ketoev (Russia);
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Daniel Cormier (United States)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Artur Taimazov (Uzbekistan)

Women's freestyle champions
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Chiharu Icho (Japan)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Marcie Van Dusen (United States)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Kaori Icho (Japan)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Stanka Zlateva (Bulgaria)

AL BEVILACQUA
nywrestling.com (USA)
Greco-Roman champions
55 kg/121 lbs. - Hamid Sourian (Iran)
60 kg/132 lbs. - David Bedinazdze (Georgia)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Farid Mansurov (Azerbajian)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Yavor Yankiev (Bulgaria)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Alexei Mishin (Russia)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Karam Gaber (Egypt)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Khassan Baroev (Russia)

Men's freestyle champions
55 kg/121 lbs. - Besik Kudokhov (Russia)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Yandro Quintana (Cuba)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Geandry Garzon (Cuba)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Buvaisa Satiev (Russia)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Georgi Ketoev (Russia)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Shamil Muradov (Russia)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Artur Taymazov (Uzbekistan)

Women's freestyle champions
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Chiharu Icho (Japan)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Saori Yoshida (Japan)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Saori Icho (Japan)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Stanka Zlateva (Bulgaria)

ALAN ROBINSON
Associated Press (USA)
Greco-Roman champions
55 kg/121 lbs. - Hamid Surian (Iran)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Jung Ji-Hyun (Korea)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Farid Mansurov (Azerbaijan)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Yavor Yankiev (Bulgaria)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Aleksei Mishin (Russia)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Ramaz Nozadze (Georgia)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Khassan Baroev (Russia)

Men's freestyle champions
55 kg/121 lbs. - Besik Khudukhov (Russia)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Mavlet Batirov (Russia)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Geandry Garzon (Cuba)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Buvaisar Saitiev (Russia)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Georgi Ketoev (Russia)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Shirvani Muradov (Russia)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Artur Taimazov (Uzbekistan)

Women's freestyle champions
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Chiharo Icho (Japan)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Saori Yoshida (Japan)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Kaori Icho (Japan)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Wang Xu (China)

KEN CHERTOW
KenChertow.com (USA)
Greco-Roman champions
55 kg/121 lbs. - Spenser Mango (USA)
60 kg/132 lbs. - David Bedinadze (Georgia)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Farid Mansurov (Azerbaijan)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Yavor Yankiev (Bulgaria)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Brad Vering (USA)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Ramaz Nozadze (Georgia)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Dremiel Byers (USA)

Men's freestyle champions
55 kg/121 lbs. - Henry Cejudo (USA)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Mavlet Batirov (Russia)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Irbek Farniev (Russia)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Buvaisa Saitiev (Russia)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Georgi Ketoev (Russia)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Daniel Cormier (USA)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Steve Mocco (USA)

Women's freestyle champions
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Chiharo Icho (Japan)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Marcie Van Dusen (USA)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Kaori Icho (Japan)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Kyoko Hamaguchi (Japan)

GARY ABBOTT
TheMat.com (USA)
Greco-Roman champions
55 kg/121 lbs. - Eun-Chol Park (Korea)
60 kg/132 lbs. - David Bedinadze (Georgia)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Nikolay Gergov (Bulgaria)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Varteres Samourgashev (Russia)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Brad Vering (USA)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Ramaz Nozadze (Georgia)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Mijial Lopez (Cuba)

Men's freestyle champions
55 kg/121 lbs. - Besik Kudukov (Russia)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Mavlet Batirov (Russia)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Geandry Garzon (Cuba)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Ben Askren (USA)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Georgi Ketoev (Russia)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Saeed Abrahimi (Iran)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Steve Mocco (USA)

Women's freestyle champions
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Irini Merlini (Ukraine)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Saori Yoshida (Japan)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Randi Miller (USA)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Stanka Zlateva (Bulgaria)

PAT TOCCI
InterMat (USA)
Greco-Roman champions
55 kg/121 lbs.: Hamid Sorian Reihanpour (Iran)
60 kg/132 lbs.: David Bedinadze (Georgia)
66 kg/145.5 lbs.- Jimmy Samuelsson (Sweden)
74 kg/163 lbs.: Mark Madsen (Denmark)
84 kg/185 lbs.: Brad Vering (USA)
96 kg/211.5 lbs.: Ramaz Nozadze (Georgia)
120 kg/264.5 lbs.: Khasan Baroev (Russia)

Men's freestyle champions
55 kg/121 lbs.: Radoslav Velikov (Bulgaria)
60 kg/132 lbs.: Mavlet Batirov (Russia)
66 kg/145.5 lbs.: Geandry Garzon (Cuba)
74 kg/163 lbs.: Bouvaisa Saitiev (Russia)
84 kg/185 lbs.: Georgi Ketoev (Russia)
96 kg/211.5 lbs.: Daniel Cormier (USA)
120 kg/264.5 lbs.: Artur Taymazov (Uzbekistan)

Women's freestyle champions
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Chiharu Icho (Japan)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Marcie Van Dusen (USA)
63 kg/138.75 lbs.- Kaori Icho (Japan)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Stanka Zlateva (Bulgaria)

BRIAN VAN KLEY
Publisher, W.I.N. magazine (USA)
Greco-Roman champions
66 - Li Yanyan, China
74 - Varteras Samurgashev, Russia
84 - Brad Vering, United States
96 - Ramaz Nozadze, Georgia
120 - Khassan Baroev, Russia

Men's freestyle champions
55 - Radslav Velikov, Bulgaria
60 - Mavlet Batirov, Russia
66 - Doug Schwab, United States
74 - Ben Askren, United States
84 - Georgy Ketoev, Russia
96 - Khadjimurad Gatsalov, Russia
120 - Beylal Makhov, Russia

Women's freestyle champions
48 - Chiharu Icho, Japan
55 - Saori Yoshida, Japan
63 - Kaori Icho, Japan
72 - Wang Xu, China

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
Olympics preview issue
Greco-Roman champions
55 kg/121 lbs. - Hamid Surian (Iran)
60 kg/132 lbs. - David Bedinadze (Georgia)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Farid Mansurov (Azerbaijan)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Mark Madsen (Denmark)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Aleksei Michine (Russia)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Ramaz Nozadze (Georgia)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Mijail Lopez (Cuba)

Men's freestyle champions
55 kg/121 lbs. - Besik Kudukhov (Russia)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Yandro Quintana (Cuba)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Otar Tushishvili (Georgia)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Buvaisa Satiev (Russia)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Georgi Ketoev (Russia)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Shirvani Muradov (Russia)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Artur Taimazov (Uzbekistan)

Women's freestyle champions
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Chiharo Icho (Japan)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Saori Yoshida (Japan)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Kaori Icho (Japan)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Stanka Zlateva (Bulgaria)