Amirhossein Zare Rises to Fourth on Iran’s All-Time Freestyle Wrestling Honor Roll

Tehran - BORNA - Amirhossein Zare etched his name deeper into the history of Iranian sport after capturing his third world gold medal in the 125kg division on Sunday night in Zagreb, Croatia. With three world titles and one bronze to his credit, the 24-year-old heavyweight has become the fourth most decorated Iranian freestyle wrestler at the World Championships, joining an elite circle of legends who have shaped the nation’s proud wrestling legacy.

A Historic Achievement

Zare’s triumph in Zagreb was more than just another gold medal. It placed him directly behind three of the greatest names in Iran’s freestyle wrestling history: Abdollah Movahed, Ebrahim Javadi, and Hassan Yazdani.

• Abdollah Movahed, the icon of the 1960s, remains untouchable at the top with five world titles.

• Ebrahim Javadi, one of the dominant figures of the 1970s, claimed four world golds.

• Hassan Yazdani, the contemporary superstar, has amassed three world titles, three silvers, and a bronze, securing third place on the all-time list.

Now Zare, with three golds and a bronze, has surpassed multiple Olympic and world champions, including Mansour Mehdizadeh, Emam-Ali Habibi, Gholamreza Takhti, Rasoul Khadem, and Reza Yazdani, to become the fourth most decorated Iranian freestyle wrestler at the world level.\

Iran’s Wrestling Legacy

Wrestling has long been regarded as Iran’s national sport, both a cultural tradition and a source of pride on the world stage. Names like Takhti and Habibi are more than athletes—they are national symbols of heroism, humility, and resilience. For decades, Iran’s freestyle wrestlers have provided the country with its richest harvest of world and Olympic medals.

Against this backdrop, Zare’s rise is particularly significant. He is not merely another champion but the leading figure of a new generation tasked with carrying forward this legacy. In a nation where wrestling glory is closely tied to national identity, his achievements resonate far beyond the mat.

The Road to the Top

Born in Amol, Mazandaran Province, Zare has been known since his teenage years for his extraordinary strength and discipline. His rise began in the youth divisions, where he quickly demonstrated his potential in the heavyweight category.

Zare’s breakthrough came in 2021, when he stunned the wrestling world by defeating Olympic champions on his way to his first senior world gold. Since then, his style has been defined by a mix of explosive power, relentless pressure, and exceptional defensive skill—qualities that make him one of the most feared heavyweights in international wrestling today.

In Zagreb, his path to gold was as commanding as ever: he dominated Yanovan Smith of Puerto Rico and Solomon Manashvili of Georgia with technical superiority, overcame Bahrain’s Shamil Sharifov in the semifinal, and shut out Azerbaijan’s Giorgi Meshvilidze 5–0 in the final. Each bout reflected his growth as a mature competitor who can control the pace and impose his style on the world’s best.

National Pride in Difficult Times

Zare’s victory carries added weight at a time when Iran is facing domestic challenges and external pressures. His gold medal, broadcast widely across Iranian media, became a moment of national celebration. Social networks were filled with messages of pride, comparing his resilience on the mat to the resilience of the Iranian people in the face of adversity.

For many, Zare represents not only athletic excellence but also the values of hard work, perseverance, and national honor. His calm demeanor, humility in victory, and dedication to his craft have made him a role model for young Iranians aspiring to greatness.

Iran’s Most Decorated Freestyle Wrestlers at the World Championships:

1. Abdollah Movahed – 5 golds

2. Ebrahim Javadi – 4 golds

3. Hassan Yazdani – 3 golds, 3 silvers, 1 bronze

4. Amirhossein Zare – 3 golds, 1 bronze

5. Mansour Mehdizadeh – 3 golds, 1 bronze

6. Emam-Ali Habibi – 3 golds

7. Gholamreza Takhti – 2 golds, 2 silvers

8. Mohammad Ebrahim Seifpour – 2 golds, 1 silver

9. Rasoul Khadem – 2 golds, 1 silver

10. Reza Yazdani – 2 golds, 2 bronzes

This table demonstrates Zare’s rapid rise: at only 24, he has already surpassed Olympic legends whose names are inscribed in Iran’s collective memory.

What makes Zare’s accomplishment even more remarkable is his age. At 24, he still has many years of competition ahead of him. With consistent performance, he has a realistic chance to equal or even surpass Hassan Yazdani’s medal tally, and perhaps one day challenge Abdollah Movahed’s legendary record of five world titles.

Attention now shifts to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where Zare is expected to be a leading contender for gold. His growing reputation on the international circuit suggests that he will remain at the top of the heavyweight division for years to come.

Amirhossein Zare’s third world title is more than a personal triumph—it is a milestone in Iran’s wrestling history. Rising to fourth on the list of Iran’s most decorated freestyle wrestlers, he has confirmed his place among the greats while signaling the dawn of a new era for the sport in Iran.

As he continues his career, Zare carries the weight of history on his shoulders: the legacy of Movahed, Javadi, Yazdani, Takhti, and countless others who turned wrestling mats into arenas of national pride. If his trajectory continues, the young heavyweight may well climb even higher in Iran’s all-time rankings, becoming not only a champion of today but a legend for generations to come.

End Article