Global Wrestling Standings: Trent Hidlay Defends No. 1 Ranking at 92kg as Amir Firouzpour Surges to Second

The August 2026 update to the international men's freestyle wrestling rankings has delivered a major shakeup ahead of the World Championships in Astana. While the very top of the pound-for-pound list remains stable, significant movement in the 92kg and 97kg weight classes has redefined the championship picture.[1][2]

At 92kg, American Trent Hidlay has cemented his status as the undisputed number one. Following a dominant sweep at the 2026 Final X series against Michael Macchiavello and an undefeated run to gold at the Senior Pan-American Championships, Hidlay's grip on the weight class appears ironclad.[1][3]

However, a new primary challenger has emerged. Iran's Amir Firouzpour has surged into the number two spot at 92kg. Firouzpour earned the ranking after defeating Mohammad Azimi to secure his place on the Iranian world team, adding to a stellar year that included a gold medal at the Muhamet Malo ranking tournament in Albania.[1][4]

The 92kg top ten saw further reshuffling following the Russian Nationals. Azamat Khadzaragov vaulted into the number six spot after a silver-medal performance that included victories over Amir Bulatov and Emil Ramazanov. Bulatov himself jumped to number seven after securing bronze.[1]

Conversely, veterans Miriani Maisuradze of Georgia and Ahmed Bataev of Bulgaria suffered significant drops in the 92kg rankings after taking losses to unranked opponents. Maisuradze clings to the number 12 spot based on his historical resume, which includes significant past victories over Magomed Sharipov and Batyrbek Tsakulov.[1]

American Dustin Plott also made moves at 92kg, climbing to number 13 following a bronze medal performance at the Polyák Imre Memorial in Hungary, where he defeated Fatih Altunbas and Magomed Sharipov.[1]

Beyond the individual weight classes, the prestigious pound-for-pound (P4P) rankings experienced a seismic shift. American Kyle Snyder climbed to number six overall following a crucial victory over his longtime Russian rival Abdulrashid Sadulaev at the RAF 11 event.[1][2]

Despite the head-to-head loss, Sadulaev remains at number three in the P4P list. The rankings heavily weight an athlete's complete career scope alongside recent results, and Sadulaev maintains a 4-2 all-time historical advantage over Snyder.[1]

The biggest shock in the P4P update was the complete exit of Russian Olympic champion Zaurbek Sidakov. Sidakov dropped out of the top 20 entirely after suffering a loss to Inalbek Sheriev in the finals of the Russian Nationals—his third defeat of the 2026 calendar year.[1][2]

Sidakov's unprecedented slide marks a potential changing of the guard at 74kg. The Russian standout had previously maintained a multi-year undefeated streak and held wins over legends like Jordan Burroughs and Kyle Dake, making his sudden vulnerability a major storyline.[1][2]

The rankings update coincides with broader United World Wrestling (UWW) standings adjustments across all styles. In women's freestyle, athletes like Kyrgyzstan's Meerim Zhumanazarova recently climbed into the top five at 68kg ahead of the World Championships, reflecting a global reshuffle.[5][6]

With the World Championships in Astana rapidly approaching, these updated rankings will heavily influence seeding and bracket placement. For Hidlay and Firouzpour, the 92kg bracket is shaping up to be a fierce two-horse race, while the P4P list reflects a global freestyle landscape in deep transition.[1][4]