Head coach Rangraz hails emerging Greco-Roman talents at National Ch’ships
Iran head coach Hassan Rangraz expressed strong satisfaction with the recently concluded National Greco-Roman Wrestling Championships, praising both the high level of competition and the emergence of new talent at the competition in Ahvaz.
Mohammad Hosseinvand Panahi (55kg), Pouya Nasserpour (60kg), former world champion Meisam Dalkhani (63kg), Mohammad Kamali (67kg), Mohammadjavad Rezaei (72kg), Ali Oskou (77kg), Mohammad-Amin Hosseini (82kg), Behrouz Hedayat (87kg), four-time Asian champion Nasser Alizadeh (97kg), and Morteza Alqousi (130kg) were crowned champions across 10 weight categories at the annual event, which served as the opening phase of Iran’s selection process for next summer’s World Championships in Manama.
Speaking to the official website of the Iranian Wrestling Federation, Rangraz said the country has now completed the fourth year of staging the national championships as the first stage of the national team selection process.
“We witnessed very good competitions, with the presence of promising young wrestlers as well as established names and emerging talents,” he said.
He added that the transparent and fair selection system – through which wrestlers clearly understand the steps and evaluation filters required to earn a place on the national team – has helped create better conditions for building depth and long-term support in Greco-Roman wrestling.
Commenting on the absence of some wrestlers from the championships, Rangraz noted that those who submit valid documentation approved by the federation’s medical committee may be eligible for their cases to be reviewed.
Looking ahead, Rangraz announced that the first national team training camp in preparation for the Asian Championships will be held from December 22 to 30, with the participation of the champions. “During this camp, the athletes will go through a transition phase based on a program, and a series of tests and evaluations will be conducted,” he explained.
Rangraz further noted that a team of under-23 wrestlers will be sent to the prestigious Vehbi Emre Tournament in Turkey – starting January 8 in Antalya, Türkiye – as part of preparations for the U23 World Championships in Las Vegas next October.
He added that first-place finishers will subsequently be sent to the Ranking Series event in Zagreb in February as part of the ongoing selection process. “God willing, they will be rewarded for their hard work,” Rangraz said.
Finally, he noted that participation in the Muhamet Malo Tournament in Tirana in late February is also on the agenda.