Two Golds for Bahrain – Is Another Bajrang in the Making?

Japan’s Sudai, became a champion at 61kg at 2025 Ranking Series.

The final ranking tournament of 2025 delivered fireworks across multiple weight classes and continents, raising new stars and reawakening old questions—especially with two gold medals going to Bahrain and a rising Indian talent turning heads.

57 kg: Lilledahl Holds Strong
American Luke Lilledahl, fresh off a narrow win over India’s Rahul in the semifinal, clinched the gold with a 3-1 victory against Azerbaijan’s Islam Bazarganov. This title marks another milestone in Lilledahl’s steady rise through the senior circuit.

Sujeet Sujeet delivered an impressive performance in the 65 kg at the 2025 Ranking Series in Budapest.

61 kg: Japan Steps Up
After U.S. contender Seth Gross fell to a Kazakh opponent early on, it was Japan’s Sudai who seized the opportunity. He defeated Kazakhstan’s Yesengeldi and went on to beat Kyrgyzstan’s Zhumashbek Uulu 5-3 in the final. Uulu had earlier edged out his compatriot Almaz Uulu in the semifinals.

65 kg: Sujeet Makes a Statement
India might just have found its next big name at 65 kg. Sujeet blazed through the bracket, defeating Dudaev of Albania and Arsamerzoev of France both by technical superiority (11-0), then handled Armenia’s Tevanyan (6-1) and capped it off with a 5-1 win over Azerbaijan’s Ali Rahimzada. With Bajrang Punia’s name long associated with this category, Sujeet’s gold shows a new era could be dawning for India.

70 kg: Japan Dominates, Iran’s Internal Battle Continues
In a weight class clouded by Iran’s ongoing national team debates (Sina Khalili vs. Abbas Ebrahimzadeh, with Amir Mohammad Yazdani ultimately selected), Japan’s Yoshinosuke Aoyagi stole the spotlight. Aoyagi stunned Ebrahimzadeh in under a minute using consecutive leg laces, then shut out Armenia’s Andrasian 8-0 in the final. Notably, Andrasian had earlier beaten Khalili 4-3.

79 kg: Gamkrelidze Takes the Crown
In another solid performance, Gamkrelidze of Georgia defeated Tajikistan’s Ioloyev 5-0 in the final, having already overcome Kazakhstan’s Sakaev and Iran’s Fariborz Babaei on his path. With Mehdi Yousefi absent from the event, Babaei is now out of Iran’s team selection race, leaving Mohammad Nokhodi and Yousefi as the remaining contenders.

97 kg: Tajik Power with Russian Roots
No surprises at 97 kg, where Akhmad Tajitdinov dominated the field without conceding a single point, proving once again why he’s among the most consistent performers in the upper weights. Competing for Bahrain, Tajitdinov is Russian by origin—just like another gold medalist of the tournament.

125 kg: Another Gold for Bahrain
Sharipov, also competing under the Bahraini flag and also Russian-born, claimed the heavyweight crown. His win secured a second gold for Bahrain at this tournament, highlighting the country’s growing reliance on naturalized Russian wrestlers for international success.

From India's Sujeet hinting at a new legacy at 65 kg, to Bahrain’s continued gold rush with Russian-born stars, the 2025 ranking tournament offered both breakout moments and ongoing debates. Wrestling fans can only watch closely as Paris and Los Angeles cycles evolve, wondering who will rise next and which nations are truly building depth—not just buying it.