Former Russian freestyle wrestler Razambek Zhamalov, competing for Uzbekistan, secured Olympic gold at Paris.
In the pivotal 74 kilogram final, Zhamalov outpaced the Japanese challenger Daichi Takatani to claim the top spot on the podium. The victory marked a remarkable moment in a season already full of transitions and notable performances, underscoring Zhamalov’s emergence as a leading contender on the world stage and reinforcing Uzbekistan’s strength in freestyle wrestling at the Olympic level.
Bronze went to Chermen Valiev, an intriguing figure in the sport who has also pursued a change of national allegiance. Valiev previously represented Russia before switching his sports citizenship, a move that reflects the broader, ongoing reshaping of international wrestling landscapes as athletes navigate eligibility rules and national team opportunities. His podium finish adds to a narrative of resilience and adaptability that characterizes many top competitors in the sport today.
Razambek Zhamalov, born June 1, 1998 in Khasavyurt, Dagestan, has grown from a talented regional wrestler into an Olympic champion under a new flag. The mid‑2020s saw him publicly changing his sporting nationality, a decision that enabled him to pursue Olympic dreams with new affiliation and support. His path to Paris included triumph at a key international rating tournament held in Budapest in June 2024, the Memorial Imre Poló and Janos Varga, which served as a critical qualifier and a confidence booster amid a crowded field in the 74 kg division.
Looking back at the timeline, the International Olympic Committee issued guidance in February 2022 urging international federations to limit or exclude Russian and Belarussian athletes from competition during the early years of the post‑2020 Olympic cycle. By late 2023 the IOC clarified that Russians and Belarusians could participate in Paris as neutral athletes, subject to strict eligibility criteria and without affecting the medal standings of other nations. This policy framework shaped the composition of teams and the narrative around nationality in Paris, reflecting a complex balance between personal ambition, national identity, and the governance of global sport.
Some observers also paused to note another significant development in Olympic leadership when discussions about leadership transition around IOC president Thomas Bach surfaced. Reports suggested that Bach would conclude his tenure in March 2025, a change that would carry implications across the governance of Olympic sports, including wrestling, athlete eligibility, and the coordination of multi‑nation events that test the integrity and unity of the Olympic Movement. Amid these shifting dynamics, athletes like Zhamalov and Valiev navigated the opportunities and constraints of international competition, continuing to perform at a high level on the world stage.