Ma’soumi attends Azerbaijan training despite IAWF warning
Iranian freestyle wrestler Amirreza Ma’soumi has shared a photo of himself alongside his father and personal coach, Fardin Ma’soumi, in a training session with Azerbaijan’s national team in Baku – hinting at plans to continue his international career overseas.
The controversial photo emerged just days after Alireza Dabir, the chairman of the Iranian Wrestling Federation, had warned the 20-year-old sensation against further absence in the Iranian training camp.
“Every wrestler must know his place. If Ma’soumi skips the next national camp, he will be axed from the under-23 squad as well. The national team interests come first. I like him like my own son, and I just hope he is given the right advice,” Dabir said in an interview on Tuesday.
Ma’soumi has been the dominant force of the superheavyweight class across different age groups in recent years, grabbing six world gold medals – including last year’s junior and U23 titles.
He was also part of the Iranian seniors’ team in February’s Ranking Series event in Zagreb and then represented the country at the Asian Championships in March, cruising to the 125kg gold on both occasions.
However, Ma’soumi, who fell short against compatriot Amirhossein Zare’ in the Iranian Olympic trials last year, saw his hopes of a place in September’s World Championships dashed after a second setback against the reigning world champion in May’s International Takhti Cup final in Isfahan.
Dejected by some referring decisions in the 8-2 defeat, Ma’soumi visited Yerevan in June for talks with the Armenian wrestling officials, including national team head coach Abetnak Kurginyan, about the prospect of representing the European country at international competitions.
Under the United World Wrestling rules, Ma’soumi would require a letter of consent from the Iranian federation before switching citizenship – a request that has been firmly rejected by Dabir.
“We’ve always granted approval for lower-ranked wrestlers [to represent other countries], but Ma’soumi is a top-notch asset for us, and already a favorite for world and Olympic golds. He has just been unlucky to have Zare’ as a domestic opponent, though I believe the rivalry will push both wrestlers to new heights. I’m sure they are by far the world’s top two in their weight class,” Dabir said.