Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games:
Strong continental rivals awaiting Iranian GR wrestlers
The preliminary entry list for the wrestling competition at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games has revealed a challenging field for Iran’s Greco-Roman wrestlers, with several continental and world-class names set to compete for gold.
The wrestling event will get underway at Nagoya’s Inae Sports Center on Sept. 30, with the list released by United World Wrestling featuring prominent wrestlers from Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Japan and other Asian nations. UWW has stressed that the entries are subject to change.
Sajjad Abbaspour, Javad Rezaei, Alireza Abdevali, Gholamreza Farrokhi, Amirsam Mohammadi and Amin Mirzazadeh will represent the Iranian squad across six Greco-Roman weight classes.
A world U23 silver medalist last year, Abbaspour is set to face one of the biggest names in the Asian field in the 60kg class, with Kyrgyzstan’s two-time world champion Zholaman Sharshenbekov – an Olympic bronze medalist in Paris 2024 – listed among his potential rivals. Reigning Asian champion Alisher Ganiev of Uzbekistan is another notable entry in the weight class.
At 67kg, Kyrgyzstan’s Razzak Bishkekov appears to be the leading challenger to Rezaei. Bishkekov won gold at the 2026 Asian Championships, defeating Iran’s Ahmadreza Mohsennejad by technical superiority on his way to the final. Uzbekistan’s Aytjan Khalmakhanov and South Korea’s Jeong Han-jae are also listed in the weight class.
The 77kg category could be particularly demanding for Abdevali, with Kyrgyzstan’s Akzhol Makhmudov among the biggest names in the draw. The two-time world champion, who had moved up to 82kg, won Asian gold on his return to 77kg, defeating Iranian Ali Oskou in the final.
Japan’s Nao Kusaka could add further difficulty to the weight class. The Paris 2024 Olympic champion has resumed training after recovering from injury and is preparing for a home Asian Games appearance.
Farrokhi will face a familiar opponent at 87kg in Kyrgyzstan’s Asan Zhanyshov. The two met in the Asian Championships final in April, where home favorite Zhanyshov stunned the reigning world senior and U23 champion with an 11-4 victory. Kazakhstan’s Shamil Ozhaev and India’s Sunil Kumar are also among the entries.
The 97kg category features several contenders, making it difficult to identify a single standout rival for Mohammadi. Kazakhstan’s Islam Yevloyev is one of the notable names. He lost 3-1 to Iran’s Mohammad Hadi Saravi in the semifinals of the Asian Championships but remains an established contender in the division.
In the superheavyweight category, Mirzazadeh is aiming for back-to-back Asian Games titles after missing out on his world title defense in October following a setback against Fardin Hedayati in the national team trials.
The Olympic bronze medalist is set to renew his rivalry with Uzbekistan’s Rafael Tsitssvashvili, whom he defeated 9-0 in the Asian Championships final.
With several reigning Asian champions, world-class wrestlers and a Paris Olympic champion in the field, Iran’s Greco-Roman team faces a demanding path in its bid for gold in Nagoya.