The wrestling world is filled with nemeses, both on and off the ring. One such captivating archrival revolves around the esteemed Olympic gold medalist Kyle Snyder and his perennial rival, a Russian wrestling prodigy. Snyder has been a renowned prowess in the 97kg weight class for years. However, on the international wrestling mats, the Russian opponent has posed a challenge to Snyder time and again, including toppling him in the Olympic arena.

Russian wrestler Abdulrashid Sadulaev had to take a step back because of a fractured vertebra in his neck during the 2024 World Championships. Despite the major setback, the two-time Olympic champion is now making a comeback. The news fueled the anticipation among the fans, hoping to witness a clash of the titans once again.

The phenom who shook Kyle Snyder on the top stage

Recently, the Twitter page of United World Wrestling shared a video that says that Abdulrashid Sadualev is making a comeback, with the caption, “Abdulrashid SADULAEV (AIN) is set to make his triumphant return to international competition for the first time since fracturing a vertebrate in his neck and underwing emergency surgery. ” The return is scheduled for the European Championship on February 16th. This news brings back the memory of the longstanding rivalry between Sadualev and Kyle Snyder.

Snyder and Sadualev faced each other for the first time during the 2017 World Championships in the 97kg category. In that match, Kyle Snyder defeated the Russian in a close match. In a rematch next year, Sadualev defeated Snyder with a pinfall to claim the 2018 championship. After this, the rivalry reached the Olympic stage as well.

Sadualev and Snyder faced off each other in the final of the Tokyo Olympics. On that occasion, the Russian had the last laugh. Defeating Snyder 6-3 he claimed gold on that occasion. Sadualev did that again after a few months in the same year. In the World Wrestling Championship in October 2021 in Oslo, Snyder had to digest a 6-0 defeat at the hands of Sadualev. The 2023 World Championships once again brought the two head-on. But misfortune struck Sadualev this time.

Sadulaev’s injury during the semi-final of the World Championship against Akhmed Tazhudinov forced him to pull off. He was then supposed to face off Kyle Snyder in the bronze medal match. But once again, he had to quit the match. Sadualev underwent an extensive medical examination in Moscow after this. During the diagnosis, it was revealed that he had a neck hernia at the end of his spinal cord, which needed prompt treatment. This came as a triumph for Kyle Snyder.

The string of misfortune continues for the Russian

Sadualev’s injury made it a little easier for Kyle Snyder to clinch a bronze medal in the absence of the contestant. Snyder’s path included a match-up with Magomed Ibragimov, followed by Sadulaev, but his withdrawal ensures that the U.S. secures qualification for the Olympics under the 97kg weight class. Meanwhile, Sadualev’s contention in the Olympics still hangs on a thread.

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Because of crashing out of the Worlds last year, Sadualev, a five-time world champion, has not yet qualified for Paris. In the coming days, he will get two Olympic qualifying tournaments in Azerbaijan and Turkey. The Upcoming European Championship might give a chance to the ace wrestler to get himself back on track before the big battle. He must be aching to turn his misfortune into a golden glory!

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