American duo end season top of UWW freestyle rankings after World Championships success

Jordan Burroughs remained top of the men's 74kg rankings ©Getty Images

America’s Jordan Burroughs and Kyle Snyder have been rewarded for their gold medals at the 2015 World Championships in Las Vegas by ending the season top of their respective United World Wrestling (UWW) rankings in men’s freestyle.

Burroughs, the reigning Olympic champion in the men’s 74 kilogram event, headed into the Championships as the top ranked athlete and he preserved that status by reaching the final of the division before comfortably defeating Mongolia’s Unurbat Purevjav.

It was the 27-year-old’s third world title, having previously triumphed at the 2011 and 2013 editions of the Championships, with the result continuing to show that he will be the man to beat at the Rio 2016 Olympics if, as expected, he qualifies through the USA Wrestling Olympic trials.

By contrast his compatriot Snyder was ranked 15th in the September rankings, which proceeded the Championships, but he produced a series of stunning performances on his debut appearance at the event having been boosted by the home crowd.

The 19-year-old became the youngest American to win a senior wrestling world title after he defeated the defending champion Abdusalam Gadisov of Russia in a tightly fought men’s 97kg title contest on criteria after the bout had finished 5-5.

With the top six finishers at the Championships automatically moving into those positions at the end of season rankings, several athletes enjoyed huge leaps up the standings, with Snyder's 14-place ascent being the largest jump of all eight world champions.

Russia's Abdulrashid Sadulaev defended his 86kg world title to top the division's end of season rankings ©Getty Images

Haji Aliev of Azerbaijan had begun the year as the top ranked wrestler in the 61kg division but had slipped to 13th as a result of mixed early season performances.

However, by defending his world title he bounced back to end the year as the world number one.

Abdulrashid Sadulaev of Russia was another wrestler who proved able to defend their world title and in doing so preserved his status as the top 86kg athlete while his compatriot Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov maintained his leadership of the non-Olympic 70kg division after adding the world title to European Games gold.

Georgia's 57kg wrestler Vladimir Khinchegashvili, who secured his first senior world title, moved up from fifth to first in his division, while Italy’s Frank Chamizo and Turkey’s Taha Akgul lead the 65kg and 125kg events respectively.