Iran’s Mohammadnejad wins U20 world heavyweight title; team misses podium after 10 years

Tehran - BORNA - Mohammadnejad, who previously won gold at the U23 World Championships and silver at the U20 Worlds, defeated Darshan Ross of the United States 5-1 in the final to claim the heavyweight title.

Earlier in the competition, Sina Khalili won gold in the 70kg category, Abolfazl Rahmani took silver at 92kg and Ahoura Khateri earned bronze at 61kg.

Iran finished the championships with two gold medals, one silver and one bronze, collecting 103 points to place fourth in the team standings. The result marked the first time in 10 years that Iran failed to finish on the U20 world freestyle team podium.

The United States topped the standings with 205 points, followed by Russia with 155 and Japan with 130.

Iran’s other representatives — Arman Elahi at 57kg, Ali Asghar Tat at 65kg, Mohammadmehdi Mamivand at 74kg, Sobhan Esmi at 79kg, Abolfazl Shamsipour at 86kg and Tohid Nouri at 97kg — were eliminated after losing to their respective opponents.

Iran’s U20 freestyle team is coached by Ehsan Amini, who also serves as a coach with the senior national team.

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