Tehran - BORNA - In the 55kg division, 18-year-old debutant Payam Ahmadi delivered a stunning performance in his first-ever World Championship match. After receiving a bye in the opening round, he dominated Kyrgyzstan’s Ulan Muratbek Ulu with a commanding 9–0 technical win to advance to the quarterfinals.
At 77kg, experienced Iranian wrestler Alireza Abdoli also enjoyed a strong start. After sitting out the first round, he defeated Spain’s Marcos Sanchez 5–0 in the second round, setting up a bout with a Kyrgyz opponent in the next stage.
In the 82kg category, another debutant, Gholamreza Farkhi, showcased his potential in emphatic fashion. He overwhelmed China’s Shin Ji Li in just two minutes with a 9–0 technical victory, before dispatching Hungary’s Erik Zielwasy — a former world silver medalist — by another dominant 8–0 score, advancing confidently into the quarterfinals.
The heavyweight division (130kg) saw Amin Mirzazadeh, one of Iran’s leading stars, make a flawless start. After a bye in the opening round, he defeated Croatia’s Marko Kosovic 8–0, reaffirming his position as one of the favorites for gold.
Meanwhile, the opening sessions also brought major upsets in the heavyweight bracket. Russia’s Sergey Semenov, an Olympic and World bronze medalist, fell to his Finnish rival, while Cuba’s Oscar Pino Hinds, a multiple-time world silver and bronze medalist, was shocked 3–1 by Turkey’s Hamza Bakir.
With Iran’s Greco-Roman team showing both youthful promise and experienced strength, the opening day results have raised hopes of another successful campaign for the defending powerhouse.
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