Asian Wrestling Championships:
Rangraz hails ‘historic’ Greco-Roman campaign for Iran
Iran head coach Hassan Rangraz lauded “a historic day” for the country’s Greco-Roman wrestling after his squad completed a clean sweep of 10 medals to claim the team title at the Asian Championships in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Reigning world champions Mohammad-Hadi Saravi and Amin Mirzazadeh headlined Iran’s medal haul by grabbing gold in the 97kg and 130kg weight classes, respectively, while Erfan Jarkani (63kg), Mohammad-Javad Rezaei (72kg), Ali Oskou (77kg), Mohammad-Amin Hosseini (82kg), and Gholamreza Farrokhi (87kg) settled for silver in their respective categories.
Mohammad Hosseinvand Panahi (55kg), Ali Ahmadi Vafa (60kg), and Ahmadreza Mohsennejad (67kg), meanwhile, added three bronze medals as Iran topped the team table with 195 points – 42 clear of second-placed Kyrgyzstan, with Uzbekistan finishing third on 136 points.
“Today is a historic day for our Greco-Roman wrestling,” Rangraz wrote on Instagram, adding: “I am grateful to God that for the first time, we have become Asian champions for four consecutive years – an achievement born of the round-the-clock efforts of the technical staff, the wrestlers, and the federation’s support, and dedicated to our beloved people.
“We had the most finalists in the history of the competition for three straight years. This shows that our team is not only champion but has also reached stability and strength in depth.
“Most importantly, for the first time ever, all 10 of our national team members finished their campaign with a medal – meaning we are a complete, united, and fighting team.
“Another notable point is that we secured the team title on the penultimate day of the competition – a clear indication of our team’s technical and psychological superiority throughout the event,” added Rangraz, who also led the Iranian team to the Greco-Roman title at the World Championships last year in Zagreb.
What makes the latest achievement even more significant is that the Iranian squad’s preparation for the event was hampered amid the country’s military conflict with a U.S.-Israeli coalition that began on February 28, while the team also endured an exhausting road trip to reach the Kyrgyz capital.
“This title is more than just a sporting success,” Rangraz wrote.
“We had to travel to the competition under circumstances where our country was facing immense hardships and pressures. Even the mere idea of sending a team to this event – in Kyrgyzstan, at a considerable distance – was no easy task.
“Moreover, the host nation entered the competition with strong championship ambitions. Yet our athletes proved that no obstacle can stand in the way of their will. Not only did we compete under these difficult conditions, but we won with dominance.
“I dedicate this crown to our dear people – the people who have always been our main source of support.”