Nasiri eyes Asian Games glory after rejoining Iranian rowing team
Iranian rower Bahman Nasiri has set his sights on gold at the Aichi–Nagoya 2026 Asian Games after rejoining the Iranian national rowing team.
The 28-year-old, who won the Asian gold in the men’s single sculls in 2019, recently returned to the national setup after representing Azerbaijan at various international competitions over the past three years.
Nasiri switched nationality after being excluded from Iran’s delegation to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, held in 2021, despite having secured a quota place for the Games. Under International Olympic Committee regulations, Iran was allocated a single rowing berth in Tokyo, which ultimately went to Nazanin Malaei, a six-time Asian champion.
Nasiri said the appointment of Mohsen Shadi as president of the Iranian Rowing Federation played a decisive role in his decision to return.
“Mr. Shadi and I were teammates and competed together in several Asian tournaments. When he contacted me for a meeting after his appointment, I was encouraged by his proposal,” Nasiri told Mehr News Agency.
He also welcomed the appointment of Ahmad Donyamali as Iran’s Minister of Sports. “I was pleased to see Mr. Donyamali take office, as he played a key role in introducing rowing to Iran,” he said.
Reflecting on his move to Azerbaijan, Nasiri admitted the decision was driven by frustration. “I was deeply disappointed after missing out on the Tokyo Olympics. Joining the Azerbaijani team was a way to pursue my personal goals, although it was certainly not an easy choice,” said Nasiri, who was also part of Iran’s quadruple sculls crew that won Asian gold in 2017.
Asked whether his objectives were achieved during his time with Azerbaijan, Nasiri said they were partially fulfilled. “I was able to compete in more international events that had previously been out of reach. With a higher-level coach, better facilities and more frequent international travel, I made significant progress,” he said.
Although he did not compete at the World Championships, Nasiri said he took part in several high-profile European regattas and posted respectable results.
“It’s a special feeling to be back with the Iranian team. This flag is always worth fighting for,” he said. “I intend to continue working with the same coach I had in Azerbaijan, but within the Iranian national team. I want my progress and results to come here.”
Looking ahead, Nasiri said international regulations mean he must wait until the start of the 2026 season to compete under the Iranian flag again.
“I am currently training in Iran with a Russian coach to prepare for the Asian Games. My times have improved significantly in recent years, and I’m aiming for a strong performance in Nagoya,” he said.
“It will still be a tough challenge, and I can’t afford to miss any training sessions. I’ll also need to compete in several events along the way,” Nasiri added.