Asian Youth Games:
Iranians claim four golds in mixed martial arts
Iranians grabbed four mixed martial arts golds at the Asian Youth Games on Saturday to take the country’s haul to 20 medals in the multi-sport event in Bahrain.
Tiam Dehphalevan defeated Mongolia’s Ulziitnaran Bat-Erdene by unanimous decision to claim the ultimate prize in the girls’ 60kg weight class.
Iran’s second gold in the girls’ event came in the 55kg division, where Vania Fat’halipour beat Japan’s Atsuhi Takada by split decision in the final showpiece.
In the boys’ competition, Amirmohammad Hatamian came out on top against Travis Ratcliff of the Philippines, also by unanimous decision, in the 60kg showdown, while Amirmahdi Vazifeh defeated Nurtileu Otegen by neck submission in the 80kg final.
Illia Vahedi had to settle for silver in the 70kg division after a final loss to Tajikistan’s Umed Umarjoni.
Saturday’s results took Iran’s MMA medal count to six following Kamand Karamzad’s bronze in the girls’ 50kg category on the preceding day.
Elsewhere, Asal Goltappeh, the Iranian flag barrier in the opening ceremony, had to settle for a silver medal in the taekwondo event following a 2-0 setback against China’s Zhang Qing in the girls +63kg final.
Meanwhile, Iran secured a last-four spot in the girls’ futsal event after a goalless draw against the Chinese Taipei in its final game in the group stage on Saturday.
Iranian girls had beaten Hong Kong 6-0 in their opening game in the Games before demolishing the host 14-0 on Friday.
In volleyball, Iran’s both girls’ and boys’ teams progressed to the quarterfinals.
Iranian under-18 girls defeated Indonesia 3-0 on Friday to claim a fourth successive victory in the competition and will face Hong Kong at Isa Sports City today.
The Iranian boys also came out victorious in straight sets against Indonesia to set a last-eight clash with Mongolia today.