Iranian saber set for fresh start under new coach Rahbari
Iranian saber national team will embark on a new chapter under head coach Mohammad Rahbari when taking part at the upcoming FIE Coupe du Monde – starting Thursday in Oran, Algeria.
Rahbari, 32, was only appointed to job on Saturday, replacing Payman Fakhri, who stepped down following the Paris Olympics in July.
The new head coach was part of the country’s four-man squad – alongside Ali Pakdaman, Farzad Baher, and Mohammad Fotouhi – that defeated the United States in the team event in the French capital but fell to a last-four defeat against fencing powerhouse Hungary and then missed out on the Olympic podium after a 45-25 loss to the host.
Rahbari’s teammates in Paris will be joined by Ahmadreza Shahmiri and Nima Zahedi in representing the country across the individual and team competitions at the four-day event in Oran.
Rahbari was to participate in the Algerian tournament as an athlete before Alireza Poursalman, the chairman of the Iranian Fencing Federation, decided to name him as the men’s head coach.
The decision drew criticism from many, who questioned Rahbari’s lack of coaching experience for the job.
However, the 32-year-old will be looking to draw upon a distinguished career to succeed in in the new role, having won three successive team medals as well as an individual bronze at the Asian Games.
“I had already made up my mind to retire after the Olympic Games due to family reasons. I had negotiations with China to work there as coach, before Poursalman came up with the offer and I decided to stay here and serve my home country,” said Rahbari, a winner of a team silver and an individual bronze in June’s Asian Championships in Kuwait.
Asked about his ambitions in the new role, Rahbari said he would be aiming to “prepare a decent and competitive team for the Los Angeles Olympics” in four-years’ time.