Wrestling is perhaps the toughest sport to ever exist. It is the most genuine test of one’s athletic ability and mental determination to win. Grueling is an understatement when describing each wrestling practice, and winning the match against another well-trained individual who also aims to get their hand raised is more than a challenge.
Becoming a wrestling champion is perhaps one of the toughest accomplishments in sports. Wrestling demands relentless self-discipline and constant competition-not just against opponents, but against yourself. Wrestlers are frequently evaluated, often being evaluated and tested weekly to secure their spot on the competition teams.
To understand who the number one wrestler in the world is, it's important to consider different styles and organizations within wrestling.
Styles of Wrestling
While Olympic wrestling can be differentiated into two types, Greco-Roman and Freestyle, both styles are uniquely difficult in their own way. Greco-Roman focuses on upper body attacks; any techniques below the waist are prohibited, and neither wrestler can use the legs for defensive or offensive actions.
The list includes Greco-Roman and Freestyle wrestlers in both male and female categories.
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Freestyle Wrestling Rankings
Here are some of the top freestyle wrestlers and their rankings:
Men's Freestyle
FS 57
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| Pos | Player | Country | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chong Song HAN | PRK | 58000 pts |
| 2 | Roman Guillermo BRAVO YOUNG | MEX | 46600 pts |
| 3 | Gulomjon ABDULLAEV | UZB | 38000 pts |
| 4 | Bekzat ALMAZ UULU | KGZ | 37000 pts |
| 5 | Arsen HARUTYUNYAN | ARM | 31000 pts |
FS 61
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| Pos | Player | Country | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zavur UGUEV | UWW | 58000 pts |
| 2 | Ahmad Masoud MOHAMMADNEZHADJAVAN | IRI | 51500 pts |
| 3 | Nuraddin NOVRUZOV | AZE | 42700 pts |
| 4 | Assylzhan YESSENGELDI | KAZ | 39200 pts |
| 5 | Dzmitry SHAMELA | UWW | 37340 pts |
FS 65
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| Pos | Player | Country | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rahman Mousa AMOUZADKHALILI | IRI | 58000 pts |
| 2 | Ibragim Sharaputtinovich IBRAGIMOV | UWW | 45075 pts |
| 3 | Real Marshall Ray WOODS | USA | 41200 pts |
| 4 | Umidjon JALOLOV | UZB | 39000 pts |
| 5 | Khamzat Timourovitch ARSAMERZOUEV | FRA | 38400 pts |
FS 70
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| Pos | Player | Country | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yoshinosuke AOYAGI | JPN | 76500 pts |
| 2 | Tulga TUMUR-OCHIR | MGL | 50200 pts |
| 3 | Arman ANDREASYAN | ARM | 45400 pts |
| 4 | VASILE DIACON | MDA | 44500 pts |
| 5 | Ernazar Kubatbekovich AKMATALIEV | KGZ | 44000 pts |
FS 74
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| Pos | Player | Country | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tajmuraz Mairbekovic SALKAZANOV | SVK | 66900 pts |
| 2 | Chermen VALIEV | ALB | 63000 pts |
| 3 | Kota TAKAHASHI | JPN | 56000 pts |
| 4 | Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV | HUN | 46600 pts |
| 5 | Yones Aliakbar EMAMICHOGHAEI | IRI | 43200 pts |
FS 79
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| Pos | Player | Country | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Khidir Kurban A SAIPUDINOV | BRN | 56000 pts |
| 2 | Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS | GRE | 55200 pts |
| 3 | Levi David HAINES | USA | 44800 pts |
| 4 | Zelimkhan KHADJIEV | FRA | 41050 pts |
| 5 | Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR | MGL | 38500 pts |
FS 86
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| Pos | Player | Country | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zahid VALENCIA | USA | 63000 pts |
| 2 | Arsenii DZHIOEV | AZE | 55600 pts |
| 3 | Rakhim MAGAMADOV | FRA | 42520 pts |
| 4 | Hayato ISHIGURO | JPN | 37000 pts |
| 5 | Mukul DAHIYA | IND | 36000 pts |
Legendary Wrestlers and Their Achievements
Many wrestlers have left an indelible mark on the sport. Here are a few examples:
- Aleksandr Karelin: Karelin is among the GOATs of wrestling and one of the most intimidating wrestlers ever due to his gigantic frame and inhumane strength. He competed under Russia in Greco-Roman wrestling and finished his career with 887 wins and two losses (both by a single point). Throughout his career, Karelin has won three Olympic golds (1988, 1992, and 1996) and a Silver (2000) medal.
- Mijain Lopez: Lopez is a Greco-Roman wrestler who competed for Cuba. Considered one of wrestling’s greatest athletes, Mijain Lopez has done something that has never been done before in the history of the sport, perhaps in the history of the Olympics - it is to win five consecutive Olympic gold medals in the same individual sporting event.
- Jordan Burroughs: Jordan Burroughs is one of the most decorated freestyle wrestlers in American history and one of the greatest freestyle wrestlers ever. He is widely known for his blast double leg, which helped him defeat many powerful opponents. JB is an Olympic gold medalist and six-time world champion (6 golds and 3 bronze).
- Buvaisar Saitiev: Saitiev is highly regarded as the greatest freestyle wrestler of all time. He represented Russia and is famous for his technical approach to wrestling, turning even the best wrestlers in the World from the par terre position.
- Dan Gable: Dan Gable is considered one of the greatest Freestyle American wrestlers. He is an Olympic (unscored in his six matches), World Championship gold medalist, and a two-time NCAA Division I national champion.
- Hassan Yazdani: Yazdani is regarded as one of the greatest Iranian freestyle wrestlers ever. Earning the nickname “The Greatest,” Yazdani is a multiple-time Olympic medalist (1 gold and 2 silver) and multiple-time world champion (3 gold, three silver, 1 bronze) competing in two different weight classes.
- Cael Sanderson: Cael Sanderson is one of the greatest American wrestlers of all time. He has won an Olympic gold medal and a silver medal in the world championships.
- Abdulrashid Sadulaev: Abdulrashid Sadulaev, also known as the “Russian Tank,” is a freestyle wrestler and is widely considered one of the most dominant wrestlers today. So far, Sadulaev has gathered 2 Olympic gold medals and 7 world championship medals (6 gold and 1 silver) at only 28 years of age.
- Kyle Snyder: Kyle Snyder is one of the greatest active freestyle wrestlers in the United States today.
- Kaori Icho: Kaori Icho is one of the greatest female freestyle wrestlers of all time. Representing Japan, she has won an unbelievable ten world championships and four Olympic gold medals.
- Artur Aleksanyan: Artur Aleksanyan, also known as the “White Bear,” is a Greco-Roman wrestler representing Armenia. He is the most decorated Olympian in Armenia and the most renowned Armenian athlete of the 21st century.
- Aleksandr Medved: Aleksandr Medved is considered one of the greatest wrestlers in history and the best Belarusian athlete of the 20th century. He was the first freestyle wrestler in history to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals in three different weight classes. Medved is also a seven-time world champion.
- The Schlutz Brothers: The Schlutz brothers, Mark and Dave, were Olympic freestyle gold medalists in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Mark was a two-time world champion and a three-time NCAA Division I champion, while Dave was a multiple-time world medalist (1 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze).
- Saori Yoshida: Saori Yoshida is one of the greatest female wrestlers of all time and is one of the most decorated alongside Kaori Icho. Representing Japan, Soari has surprisingly won 13 world championships, three consecutive Olympic gold medals, and one silver.
PWI Awards
Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) has several awards that recognize the best in professional wrestling. These awards celebrate various aspects of wrestling excellence.
- PWI Wrestler of the Year: This award recognizes the best professional wrestler of the year. Ric Flair has won the award a record six times.
- PWI Woman of the Year: This award recognizes the best female professional wrestling personality of the year. Trish Stratus has won this award a record four times.
- PWI Tag Team of the Year: This award recognizes the best tag team of the year. The Road Warriors (Animal & Hawk) have won a record four times.
- PWI Faction of the Year: This award recognizes the best faction of the year.
- PWI Match of the Year: This award recognizes the best match of the year.
- PWI Feud of the Year: This award recognizes the best rivalry of the year. Ric Flair vs. Lex Luger is tied with Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Vince McMahon, each winning twice.
- PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year: This award recognizes the best face or heroic professional wrestler of the year. Sting and John Cena have won this award a record four times.
- PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year: This award typically recognizes the most effective heel (villainous) professional wrestler of the year. Triple H has won this award a record five times.
- PWI Comeback of the Year: This award recognizes the most impressive comeback by a professional wrestler during the year.
- PWI Inspirational Wrestler of the Year: This award recognizes the most inspirational professional wrestler of the year. Bob Backlund, Hulk Hogan, Eddie Guerrero, Jerry Lawler, Bayley, and Roman Reigns are the only people to have won the award more than once, with all six winning twice.
- PWI Rookie of the Year: This award recognizes the best professional wrestler of the year who, in that year, had their first year in the business.
- PWI Stanley Weston Award: This award recognizes lifetime achievement by a professional wrestling personality.
- PWI Midget Wrestler of the Year: This award recognized the best midget wrestler of the year.
- PWI Manager of the Year: This award recognized the best manager of the year. Bobby Heenan won a record four times.
- PWI Announcer of the Year: This award recognized the best announcer of the year.
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The world of professional wrestling is vast and varied, with numerous athletes vying for the top spot. While rankings and awards offer some insight, the title of "number one wrestler" is ultimately subjective and depends on individual preferences and criteria.