Iranian prodigy Khateri sets sights on 2028 Olympic glory
Newly-crowned world under-17 champion Ahoura Khateri says he is already aiming at a glorious Olympic campaign in five-years’ time.
Khateri was part of the Iranian squad that bagged six medals, including double golds, to claim the freestyle crown at the Wrestling U17 World Championships in Istanbul last week.
Having missed out on a podium finish in the previous two editions of the freestyle event, Iran topped the table with 156 points – 30 clear of last year’s champion USA – and Khateri played an integral part in the country’s title-winning run.
The 16-year old powered past wrestlers from Moldova, Russia – representing the Individual Neutral Athletes team – and the United States before storming to a 11-0 victory over Armenia’s Gor Buniatyan with 41 seconds left on the clock in the final showdown of the 45kg contests.
Khateri believes his toughest challenge came in the last-four bout against American Ignacio Villasenor, which the Iranian won 5-2.
“The bout against the American wrestler was the hardest one for me and I had to give it my all to beat him. He kept attacking and I really had a tough time breathing in the closing stages. Thank God the coaches’ tactics helped me come out victorious at the end,” the Iranian prodigy told ISNA.
The gold medal in Istanbul was a second major medal in 2023 for Khateri after he cruised to the Asian under-17 triumph in June without conceding a single point.
However, sky is the limit for the young gun, who considers American wrestling legend Johan Smith and fellow Iranian Hassan Rahimi – a five-time Olympic and world medalist – as his role models in the sport.
“I’ll be eligible to take part in the cadets’ competitions next year and I will be looking forward to repeating the success in the World Championships. I will then go all out for the world juniors and seniors golds, though my ultimate goal will be to walk away with the gold medal at the 2028 Olympic Games,” Khateri said, who lives in the northern Iranian city of Sari in Mazandaran Province – the wrestling hub in the country.
“My father, who was also my first coach, and my mother have supported me all the way throughout my life and career and I hope I can repay them with an Olympic gold,” added the Iranian.
Khateri was joined by Sina Khalili (65kg) – also a reigning Asian champion – in winning the top prize in Istanbul, while Sajjad Pirdayeh (60kg), and Abolfazl Hosseini (70kg) had to settle for the silver medals of their respective weight classes.
Tohid Nouri (92kg) and Sam Sayyar (48kg), meanwhile, left the event with two consolation bronzes.
“Iran had finished fourth last year [in Rome] but all the efforts made by the wrestlers and coaches paid off this year. We trained so hard for six months and I have to thank [head coach] Behnam Ehsanpour and other members of the coaching staff for helping us reach our physical and mental peak for the tournament,” said Khateri.