WANA (Oct 30) – According to the World Taekwondo Federation, Iran’s men’s team finished as world runners-up, winning three medals — gold, silver, and bronze — behind South Korea. Brazil, Uzbekistan, and Egypt took third to fifth places, respectively.

 

This marks Iran’s return to the world podium after eight years, having last achieved gold, silver, and bronze in 2017.

 

Amirsina Bakhtiari, representing Iran in the under-74kg category, claimed a bronze medal after losing to his Brazilian opponent in the semifinals of the World Taekwondo Championships in China.

 

The 27th edition of the World Championships concluded with Iran earning three medals — one gold, one silver, and one bronze. The final day of competition on Thursday featured bouts in the women’s under-53kg and men’s under-74kg categories, with Mobina Nematzadeh and Amirsina Bakhtiari representing Iran.

 

Bakhtiari, in his first-ever world championship appearance, secured a bronze medal, contributing to Iran’s overall tally: a gold from Abolfazl Zandi (–58kg), a silver from Mehdi Haji Mousaei (–63kg), and Bakhtiari’s bronze (–74kg).

World Taekwondo Championships. Amirsina Bakhtiari

Amirsina Bakhtiari. Social media/ WANA News Agency

In the men’s –74kg division, which featured 68 competitors, Bakhtiari defeated Frompat (Thailand) 2–1 in his opening bout, then overcame world champion Jawad Aghayev (Azerbaijan).

 

He continued with a close 2–1 victory over Angelo Mangonie (Italy) to reach the quarterfinals, where he beat Bekasil (Kazakhstan) 2–0. In the semifinals, Bakhtiari lost 2–0 to Olympic bronze and world silver medalist Ovidal Pontes (Brazil), finishing with bronze.

 

In the women’s 53kg category, Mobina Nematzadeh advanced past Mariela Bou Habib (Lebanon) 2–0 after receiving a first-round bye, but fell 2–0 to world champion Merve Dinçel (Turkey) and was eliminated.

Iran’s Abolfazl Zandi Wins Gold at World Taekwondo Championships in China

Iranian taekwondo athlete Abolfazl Zandi. Social media/ WANA News Agency