Iranian girls dominate Day 1 of Taekwondo Fajr Open
Sports Desk
Iranian contestants stole the show on the first day of the Taekwondo Fajr Open in Tehran, collecting 15 of the 16 medals – including a clean sweep of golds – up for grabs across the four women’s weight classes.
Ma’soumeh Ranjbar came out on top against fellow-Iranian Bahareh Fereydooni to walk away with the ultimate prize in the -46kg contests on Monday, with Parnia Salmani and reigning world and Asian junior champion Sogand Shiri sharing the third podium.
The -53kg final showpiece saw Ghazal Soltani – a 2017 world cadet gold medalist – defeat Saba Beigi, while Niki Yousefi claimed a consolation bronze alongside Kazakhstan’s Aidana Sundetbay.
Asma Sedaqat, meanwhile, came out victorious against Hasti Mohammadi for the -62kg gold with Hadis Ammareh and Sheida Mohammadi completing yet another all-Iranian podium.
Elham Haqiqi took Iran’s gold tally to four thanks to a victory over Sara Soufi in the -73kg final.
Arezou Bahrami and Asal Saberi took the bronze medals of the class.
More than 340 participants from 12 countries, as well as a refugees team, will be taking part at the 33rd edition of the four-day event.
The competition will be followed by the 6th World Taekwondo President’s Cup and the 12th Asian Taekwondo Clubs Championships in the Iranian capital’s Taekwondo House until February 22.