WANA (Oct 27) – Four Iranian wrestlers competed for world medals on Sunday night, earning a total of one gold, one silver, and two bronze at the U23 World Freestyle Wrestling Championships held in Serbia.

 

In the 57 kg category, Milad Valizadeh received a bye in the opening round, then defeated Guingilia of Georgia 12–2 to advance to the quarterfinals. In the repechage, he dominated Hang Liao of China 10–0 to reach the bronze medal match, where he outclassed Ovnder of Russia 10–1 to claim the bronze medal.

 

In the 70 kg division, Sina Khalili edged past Omar Amurov of Russia 6–5 in his first bout, then overwhelmed Navin Kumar of India 12–2 to move into the quarterfinals. There, he crushed Mais Aliyev of Kazakhstan 11–0 to advance to the semifinals. Khalili then beat Gadarali of Moldova 8–2 to secure a spot in the final. In the championship match, he fell to Heybatov of Azerbaijan, earning the silver medal.

 

In the 79 kg category, Mehdi Yousefi had a first-round bye but lost 0–7 to world silver medalist Loy Haines of the United States in the second round. In the repechage, he pinned Samir Said of Bulgaria 11–0 to reach the bronze medal match, where he overpowered Dawud Dawudov of Russia 13–3 to seize the bronze medal.

 

In the 125 kg heavyweight class, Abolfazl Mohammadnezhad received a first-round bye and then defeated Doscov of Moldova 12–2 to advance. He followed with an 8–0 win over Khachatourian of Armenia to reach the semifinals. There, he shut out Davudgadzhiev of Russia 5–0 to secure a spot in the final. In the championship bout, Mohammadnezhad overpowered his Azerbaijani opponent by technical superiority to claim the gold medal and the top spot on the podium.

Abolfazl Mohammadnezhad at the U23 World Freestyle Wrestling Championships. Social Media / WANA News Agency

Abolfazl Mohammadnezhad at the U23 World Freestyle Wrestling Championships. Social Media / WANA News Agency