Iran Greco-Roman Wrestlers Secure Three Final Spots at World Championships
Tehran - BORNA - By the end of the semifinal round, Payam Ahmadi (55kg), Gholamreza Farkhi (82kg), and Amin Mirzazadeh (130kg) all booked their places in the gold medal matches, while Alireza Abdoli (77kg) will compete for bronze. This means Iran is guaranteed at least three medals, with the possibility of a fourth still in play for head coach Hassan Rangraz’s team.
Ahmadi Stuns Four-Time World Champion
At 55kg, Payam Ahmadi continued his impressive debut at the world level. After receiving a bye in the opening round, he defeated Ulan Muratbek Uulu of Kyrgyzstan 9–0 and Artem Delianu of Moldova 8–0 to reach the semifinals. There, he stunned four-time world champion Eldaniz Azizli of Azerbaijan, winning 3–1 to advance to the final.
Abdoli Falls to Armenian Star
At 77kg, Alireza Abdoli started strong, defeating Spain’s Marcos Sanchez 5–0 and Kyrgyzstan’s Yeriskeldi Maksat Uulu 6–0. In the quarterfinals, he overcame world silver medalist Sanan Suleymanov of Azerbaijan 3–1. However, in the semifinals he fell 5–1 to Armenia’s Malkhas Amoyan, the reigning world champion and Olympic bronze medalist. Abdoli will now wrestle for bronze.
Farkhi Overcomes Host Nation’s Hopeful
At 82kg, Gholamreza Farkhi delivered a dominant performance. He scored back-to-back technical wins over Xin Ji Li of China (8–0) and world silver medalist Erik Szilvassy of Hungary (8–0), then beat Switzerland’s Ramon Betschart 9–0 in the quarterfinals. In the semis, he defeated Croatia’s Carlo Kudric 7–1, advancing to face Georgia’s Gela Bolkvadze in the final.
Mirzazadeh Dominates at Heavyweight
At 130kg, reigning world champion Amin Mirzazadeh looked unstoppable. After a first-round bye, he blanked Croatia’s Marko Kosovic 8–0, then beat Finland’s Elias Kosmanen by fall despite trailing 4–3. In the semifinals, he controlled China’s Wenhao Jiang 3–1 to book his place in the gold medal match against Hungary’s Dariush Wittek.
With three finalists and one wrestler competing for bronze, Iran’s Greco-Roman squad has already guaranteed itself a major medal haul in Zagreb, continuing the country’s tradition of excellence on the world stage.
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