The South Korean, winner of the Olympic gold medal in the 66kg category at London 2012 and who claimed bronze at Rio 2016, took top spot in the 75kg list due to Roman Vlasov of Russia's decision to move up to 80kg.

The Russian occupies the number one ranking in the 80kg after overtaking compatriot Ramazan Abacharaev.

Vlasov and Kim will be among the favourites to take gold at the UWW World Championships, due to open in Paris on August 21. 

As a result of Kim's promotion and Vlasov's move to 80kg, Olympic gold medalists Ismael Borrero Molina of Cuba and team-mate Mijain Lopez Nunez remain the only Greco-Roman wrestlers to have stayed at the top of their respective decisions since Rio 2016.

The Cuban duo will be knocked off the top, however, as they are both not among the entry lists for the World Championships.

Molina is braced to lose his position at the top of the 59kg rankings, while Nunez will be replaced as the world number one in the 130kg division come the end of the Championships in the French capital.

Shinobu Ota of Japan is second in the 59kg standings, with compatriot Kenichiro Fumita sitting in third place.

Riza Kayaalp of Turkey, silver medallist at Rio 2016, lies in wait in the 130kg and could overtake the Cuban depending on his Word Championships result.

The 66kg weight class is also headed by a Russian as Artem Surkov occupies top spot in front of Davor Stefanek of Serbia and Belarus' Soslan Daurov.