Sohrabi aims to erase 2025 heartbreak with world gold
Iranian Greco-Roman wrestler Daniyal Sohrabi has declared his intention to wipe away the bitter memory of the 2025 World Championships by claiming gold at the 2026 edition – but first, he must secure his place on the national team.
The 72kg wrestler, who battled his way to a bronze medal at last September’s world showpiece in Zagreb despite a controversial defeat in the quarterfinals, says his immediate focus is on the national team trials, set to take place at the upcoming Ranking Series event starting June 4 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, where he will face Mohammad-Javad Rezaei – an Asian silver medalist from April.
“Thank God, everything is going well. We are holding very good, high-quality training camps under the supervision of the technical staff,” Sohrabi told reporters.
When asked about his objectives, the wrestler outlined a step-by-step approach.
“First, I have the national team trials against Mohammad-Javad Rezaei in Mongolia in June. That’s why I want to take things step by step, and my focus right now is entirely on that match,” he said.
“God willing, if I succeed in the trials, my next goal will be to win the gold medal at the 2026 World Championships.”
Sohrabi’s determination is fueled by the disappointment of last year’s event, where he felt robbed of a shot at the final.
The Iranian, who had multiple bleeding stoppages against France’s Ibrahim Ghanem, was medically timed out as the four minutes allotted for bleeding finished and the Frenchman, who was leading 4-2, had his hand raised as the winner.
“Last year, a bitter incident happened to me,” he explained. “My opponent caused bleeding on my face, but due to the four-minute medical rest rule and the fact that no caution was issued to my opponent, I lost the match that would have taken me to the semifinals. The gold medal slipped away from me.”
Despite that setback, Sohrabi managed to secure a bronze medal thanks to a comfortable 8-0 win against Kazakhstan’s Merey Maulitkanov, but the taste of that near-miss has lingered.
“This year, I hope to bring honor to my country and raise the Iranian flag,” he vowed.
With the trials looming and a world title in his sights, Sohrabi is leaving no room for distraction. For the 72kg star, 2026 is not just another season – it is a chance at redemption.