U23 Wrestling World Championship: Khalili and Mohammadnejad reach semi-finals

Tehran - BORNA - Iranian freestyle wrestlers had a mixed day at the U23 World Championship in Serbia, with Sina Khalili (70 kg) and Abolfazl Mohammadnejad (125 kg) securing berths in the semi-finals, while two other representatives remain dependent on the results of their rivals for a chance at a medal.

In the 70 kg category, Sina Khalili showcased dominant wrestling. He first overcame Omar Umarov of Russia 6-5, before defeating Navin Kumar of India 12-2. In the quarter-finals, Khalili scored a decisive 11-0 technical superiority victory over Mays Aliyev of Kazakhstan. Khalili is now set to face the winner of the bout between Alexandru Gaidarli (Moldova) and Adis Rachat Uulu (Kyrgyzstan) in the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, in the 125 kg weight class, Abolfazl Mohammadnejad also reached the final four. After an initial bye, Mohammadnejad defeated Dmitry Duskov of Moldova 12-2, followed by an 8-0 shutout victory against Khachatur Khachaturyan of Armenia in the quarter-finals. Mohammadnejad will wrestle Russia's Habib Davudgadzhiev for a place in the final.

For the other Iranian competitors, their medal hopes depend on the progression of their opponents.

In the 57 kg category, Milad Valizadeh defeated Luka Gvinjilia of Georgia 12-2 after a first-round bye, but was subsequently defeated 11-5 by Luke Lilledahl of the U.S. in the quarter-finals. Valizadeh requires the American wrestler to reach the final to enter the repechage bracket.

Similarly, at 79 kg, Mehdi Yousefi lost 7-0 to the world silver medalist, Loui Haines of the United States, following a bye. Yousefi must also wait for Haines to advance to the final to have a chance to compete for a bronze medal through the repechage rounds.

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