KRASNOYARSK, Russia (January 25) -- Speed kills, but Sunday in Krasnoyarsk it was strength that earned the Russian Republic two of three available gold medals and eight of 12 total placements.

The final day of action at the Yarygin didn’t disappoint, though gone from the arena were the knee-bending acrobatics of the competitors lightweight teammates. Across the weights it was the big men lumbering and lifting that most often converted mass to medals.

Leading the way for the Russians was 86kg champion and Krasnoyarsk local Anzor URISHEV. Currently second on the Russian depth chart to superstar youngster Abdulrashid SADULAEV, it was Urishev who shone brightest on day three.

Sporting gray flecked hair, Urishev was the most active of the day’s wrestlers running up early round victories by technical falls. The local hero was trailing 5-1 heading into the second period of his semifinal matchup with Dauren KURUGLIYEV (RUS), until he tapped a hidden reserve to increase his pace and secure two takedowns with a pushout to earn the 6-5 victory.

Urishev needed fewer dramatics in the night’s final match, besting surprise finalist Khitumen ORGODOL (MGL), 11-4.

Ibragim SAIDOV (BLR) took the 97kg title in the fashion befitting a battle-tested journeyman, earning points from short offense and head-smashing counters to earn his first Yarygin title. A Dagestani who wrestles for Belarus, Saidov was the day’s only non-Russian national to earn the top prize.

Though 97kg was a weight class dominated by impressive physiques and brute force, Kazakhstan’s Mamed IBRAGIMOV proved that men of all sizes were meant to compete in the sport of wrestling. Portly but proud, Ibragimov electrified the crowd with four-point arm spins, lateral drops and other high-risk maneuvers. The Dagestani native took bronze in part due to a medals match that forced him to hunt for overhooks on the edge of the mat and attempt high-value techniques.

The night’s final match pitted stalwart Russian heavyweights, Muradin KUSHKHOV and Alan KHUGAEV. The match was slowed by the men’s familiarity with each other, but the anxiety of the crowed was piqued by flashes of competition reserved for those in good knowledge of each other’s tricks and weaknesses.

Through void of large actions, Kushkov proved the more imposing force and took the title, 2-1.

Mongolia had the second most medalists on the day, taking silver at 86kg and bronze at 97kg. Belarus and Kazakhstan also each placed one wrestler.

RESULTS

Men's Freestyle -- 86kg

GOLD: Anzor URISHEV (RUS) df. Khitumen ORGODOL (MGL), 11-4
BRONZE: Akmet MAGOMEDOV (RUS) df. Alexander GUSHTYN (BLR), 12-4
BRONZE: Dauren KURUGLIYEV (RUS) df. Phillip KEDDY (USA), 9-0

Semifinal: Khitumen ORGODOL (MGL) df. Alexander GUSHTYN (BLR), 5-0
Semifinal: Anzor URISHEV (RUS) df. Dauren KURUGLIYEV (RUS), 6-5

Men's Freestyle -- 97kg

GOLD: Ibragim SAIDOV (BLR) df. Kaynula KYRBANOV (RUS), 6-1
BRONZE: Mamed IBRAGIMOV (KAZ) df. Azret SHOGENOV (RUS), 2-2
BRONZE: Yuril BELONOVSKIY (RUS) df. Khuderbulga DORZHKHAND (MGL), 3-3

Semifinal: Kaynula KYRBANOV (RUS) df. Mamed IBRAGIMOV (KAZ), 5-2 
Semifinal: Ibragim SAIDOV (BLR) df. Yuril BELONOVSKIY (RUS), 2-0 

Men's Freestyle -- 125kg

GOLD: Muradin KUSHKHOV (RUS) df. Alan KHUGAEV (RUS), 2-1 
BRONZE: Chuluunbat ZHARGALSAIKHAN (MGL) df. Zolboo NATSAGSUREN, 4-1
BRONZE: Timur KOTSOEV (RUS) df. Alan DZAMPAEV (RUS), 5-5

Semifinal: Alan KHUGAEV (RUS) df. Zolboo NATSAGSUREN (MGL), 2-0
Semifinal: Muradin KUSHKHOV (RUS) df. Timur KOTSOEV (RUS), 10-1