Petko Sirakov – Ivan Iliev wrestling tournament:
Iranians grab triple Greco-Roman golds
Iranian wrestlers bagged four Greco-Roman medals, including three golds, at the Petko Sirakov – Ivan Iliev tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Friday.
Representing the country in the 55kg contests, Payam Ahmadi overcame opponents from Georgia and Bulgaria before outclassing home-favorite Yordan Topalov by superiority (9-0) to walk away with the ultimate prize.
Reigning world under-17 champion Amir-Mahdi Saeidi-Nava won a second gold medal for Iran, thanks to a 5-3 triumph over Georgian Anri Tavartkiladze in the 72kg showdown.
In the 82kg contests, Iranian Alireza Mohammad-Hosseini beat Georgia’s Saba Mamaladze 7-1 in the semifinals and then was handed the gold medal after Data Chkhaidze of Georgia withdrew from the final showpiece with injury.
Meanwhile, Seyyed Taha Masoudi bounced back from a last-four superiority setback against Japanese Manato Nakamura to beat Kazakhstan’s Nurgali Sagatov 7-1 and finish his campaign with a consolation bronze in the 63kg contests.
Seyyed Reza Azarshab was the other Iranian in action on Friday night, finishing his 82kg empty-handed after a first-round defeat (5-0) against Mamaladze.