Wrestling U17 Asian Championships:
Iran marches to Greco-Roman crown
Iran was in a league of its own in the Greco-Roman competition at the U17 Asian Championships, collecting eight medals – including six golds – across 10 weight classes to lift the team trophy in Da Nang, Vietnam, on Friday.
The remarkable medal haul saw Iran dominate the standings with 205 points, while Kyrgyzstan edged Uzbekistan for the runner-up spot despite both countries finishing on 161 points.
The final day of the Greco-Roman event, however, was hardly one to remember for the Iranian squad, which missed out on gold in the remaining three weight classes.
Esmaeil Zaherdoust had to settle for silver in the 71kg division after suffering a 9-0 superiority defeat to Baiel Nuraliev in the final, while Mahdi Gholamian defeated Kazakhstan’s Alinur Toleugali by fall to claim a bronze medal in the 80kg category.
Hamed Dehqanzadeh, meanwhile, was one of two Iranians – alongside Ahmad Badraddini (51kg) – to finish the tournament empty-handed after a 9-0 defeat to China’s Yunqi Chu in the 65kg bronze-medal bout.
Friday’s results came after Iran had captured six gold medals in seven weight classes on the opening day of the Greco-Roman competition.
Ali-Akbar Akoo capped the glorious day for the country by defeating Kazakhstan’s Arystan Temergali 8-1 in the 110kg final.
Armin Esmaeil opened Iran’s account with an 8-2 victory over Uzbekistan’s Tokhirjon Karimov in the 45kg final, while another Iran-Uzbekistan showdown saw Ali Esmaeili beat Javokhir Sharifboev 4-1 to claim the 48kg title.
Vahid Ashiri secured the 55kg gold medal with a 3-1 victory over Kyrgyzstan’s Syimyk Askarov.
Amirreza Tahmasbpour stormed to the 60kg title, recording three victories without conceding a single point – including two by superiority – on his way to the final before dispatching Kyrgyzstan’s Baiel Zhamalidinov 9-0.
Amirreza Mehri also finished on a high in the 92kg category, rounding off his campaign with a 3-1 victory over South Korea’s Jongyeon Na.
Freestyle flyer
The Iranian freestyle team, meanwhile, got off to a flying start on Saturday, claiming two medals – including the 80kg gold – across the opening three weight classes.
Amirali Ferasati secured the title in style by routing India’s Mandeep Mandeep 10-0 in the final, recording his third superiority victory in four matches.
Amir-Abbas Lotfinejad bounced back from a 4-3 semifinal defeat to eventual champion Rihito Hiura by beating Kyrgyzstan’s Khantemir Ismanov 5-2 to earn bronze in the 65kg division.
Kiarash Torabi suffered an early exit in the 71kg category, falling 2-1 to Tajikistan’s Idris Bakhromov in the second round.