Iran set to reject Azerbaijan’s bid for Ma’soumi: Report
The Wrestling Federation of Iran is expected to reject a request to issue a letter of consent allowing superheavyweight prodigy Amirreza Ma’soumi to represent Azerbaijan at September’s World Championships, ISNA reported on Wednesday.
Ma’soumi, 20, 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 earlier in July – hinting at plans to continue his international career overseas.
The controversial photo was released just days after Alireza Dabir, the sport’s governing body in Iran, had warned the freestyle 125kg wrestler against further absence in the Iranian training camp.
the Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation made an official approach for Ma’soumi on Tuesday, reportedly offering 300,000 Swiss francs for his services. However, ISNA wrote that Dabir has no intention of letting go of the Iranian wrestling’s hottest assets and will inform the European country of his decision in an official letter next week.
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 under-23 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 securing place in the world showpiece 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 in interview in mid-July.
“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,” added the former world and Olympic champion.