Asian OG Qualifier:
Kavianinejad, Mohmadi through as Iran secures full GR squad for Paris
Iran became the first country to complete a full set of six Greco-Roman wrestling quotas for the Paris Olympics.
Amin Kavianinejad and Alireza Mohmadi secured the remaining two slots for the country thanks to last-four victories in their respective weight classes in the Asian qualification event in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
In a repeat of a semifinal clash in last October’s Asian Games, Kavianinejad – a silver winner in Hangzhou – came from behind to defeat China’s Rui Liu 6-5 in a thrilling 77kg contest.
Liu got off to a flying start in the bid to avenge a criteria loss on home soil last year, as he completed a roll from par terre and was then awarded two points following the Iranian’s leg blocking, but Kavianinejad cut the gap with a counter takedown before the break.
“Everything was under control, but unfortunately I got a two-point warning,” Kavianinejad said, adding: “I believe there was no fault on my part but it made the it more difficult for me.”
Kavianinejad received a passivity point after the break, though Liu popped out from par terre, leaving the Iranian trailing 5-3.
The three-time Asian medalist still kept his nerve and launched several stepouts to march to victory.
“I won the match in the Asian Games on criteria but today I was able to score more technical points despite being under a bit of pressure,” added Kavianinejad, who is yet to be guaranteed a trip to Paris as Mohammad-Ali Geraei is back in fray for the 77kg slot after the three-time world bronze medalist had a one-year ban over an incident in last September’s World Championships lifted by the international governing body of the sport.
Later on Sunday, world 82kg silver winner Mohmadi had to dig deep to beat Asian Games champion Jalgasbay Berdimuratov of Uzbekistan 3-2 in a cagy 87kg contest.
Berdimuratov could only manage a one-point stepout from a throw attempt out of par terre in the first period, while Mohmadi bagged two from a throw in the same position after the interval.
“I’m so grateful to win the Olympic quota one year after the World Championships, especially when I had to go from 82kg to 87kg,” Mohmadi said. “I’m confident that I could keep this weight and I hope I can defeat my opponents in the Olympics.”
The Iranian added: “I’ll be looking to fix my flaws and add some new techniques so I can deliver some perfect performances and excel in the Olympics.”
Iran had already won four Paris quotas courtesy of top-five finishes across different weight classes at the World Championships.
Superheavyweight sensation Ali Mirzazadeh will be the Iranian gold hopeful after defeating Turkish great in the 130kg final in Belgrade, while reigning Olympic champion Mohammadreza Geraei (67kg) and Mohammad-Hadi Saravi (97kg) bagged a couple of bronzes and will be chasing a second medal in the Games in the French capital.
Mahdi Mohsennejad also booked his berth with a fifth-place finish in the 60kg contests.
Sunday’s triumphs came two days after Younes Emami (74kg) and rising star Amir-Ali Azarpira (97kg) took Iran’s freestyle quotas to five in Bishkek.
Ahmad Mohammadnejad failed to reach the 57kg last four but Iran will still have a last chance for a complete six-man squad when the 2021 world silver winner Alireza Sarlak gets his campaign underway at the World OG Qualifier in Istanbul next month.