Iran’s Qassempour given injury boost ahead of world wrestling meet
Iranian wrestling sensation Kamran Qassempour said he would be fit in time to take part in September’s Wrestling World Championships after a groin injury saw him limp off a training session last week.
The dominant force of the freestyle 92kg class for the past two years, the Iranian has already been ruled out of the upcoming Ranking Series event, starting July 13 in Budapest, making way for young prodigy Amir-Ali Azarpira.
Speaking to Tasnim News Agency, Qassempour said he is receiving the proper treatment and would be back to training sooner than initially feared.
“I’m in good physical and mental conditions right now. This is not the first time I suffer an injury as I have a history of participating in several tournaments even with a torn meniscus or ligament,” said Qassempour.
The Iranian missed the Kaba Uulu Kozhomkul & Raatbek Sanatbaev Ranking Series tournament in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, earlier in June with the same problem.
“I’m sure I can overcome the injury again and will give my all to compete at the World Championships in my best form,” added the Iranian, who will be chasing a third successive world gold in Belgrade.
Azarpira, meanwhile, will be joined by six other Iranians in the Hungarian capital, with three national team places at the world event up for grabs.
Ahmad Mohammad-Javan and Milad Valizadeh will represent the country in the 57kg category, with Amir-Mohammad Yazdani – a world silver winner in 2021 – and Mohammad Bakhshi taking part in the 72kg contests.
Mohammad Nokhodi and Ali Savadkouhi will also decide who will wear the Iranian 79kg singlet in September.
Nokhodi had to settle for a world silver in the past two years after back-to-back defeats against legendary American Jordan Burroughs, before Savadkouhi claimed a first victory in 15 attempts for the Iranians against the seven-time world and Olympic champion at the FS World Cup last December.
Reza Atri (61kg) – a world silver winner last year – reigning world champion Rahman Amouzad (65kg), Younes Emami (74kg), eight-time world and Olympic medalist Hassan Yazdani (86kg), Mojtaba Goleij (97kg), and Amirhossein Zare’ (125kg) – a Tokyo Olympic bronze winner and world champion in 2021, who took the world bronze last year – have already secured their spots in the Iranian squad for the World Championships.