#WrestleAmman

Iran wins three Greco-Roman golds in Amman

By Vinay Siwach

AMMAN, Jordan (August 19) -- A technical superiority, a defensive masterclass and a power show. Iran wrestlers have made a habit of clinching the Greco-Roman team title early at most World Championships and the U20 World Championships in Amman, Jordan was no different as Iran, with its three golds, all but locked up the title.

After sweeping the Freestyle team title earlier this week, Iran got going in Greco-Roman adding 105 points after five weight classes and steering clear of other countries for the team title.

Ahmadreza MOHSEN NEZHAD (IRI)Ahmadreza MOHSEN NEZHAD (IRI) scores a takedown against Zhantoro MIRZALIEV (KGZ) in the 63kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

The gold rush was led by rising start Ahmadreza MOHSEN NEHZAD (IRI) at 63kg. He wrestled 2022 U17 Asian champion Zhantoro MIRZALIEV (KGZ) in the gold medal bout and came out 9-0 on top.

The technical superiority in the final by Mohsen Nehzad was set up on the basis of an aggressive show by Ahmadreza. Mirzaliev was put in par terre and the Iranian got one turn to lead 3-0. He scored a stepout to lead extend his lead to 4-0 at the break.

Mirzaliev would have hoped to get an advantage of par terre in the second period but in a rare case, Ahmadreza got the second par terre position. On this occasion, Ahmadreza got two gut-wrenches to finish the bout 9-0.

One can be forgiven for mistaken identity as a glance at Ahmadreza would remind them of multiple-time Asian and U23 world medalist Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI), Ahmadreza's elder brother.

The Mohsen Nejad family hails from Kuzestan, Iran and all four siblings are wrestlers. Apart from Mehdi and Ahmadreza, Emarreza and Yasin are also Greco-Roman wrestlers with the former being the U15 Asian champion at 68kg.

As far as world events go, Ahmadreza has already bettered his brother Mehdi's position. Mehdi finished fifth at the 2016 U20 Worlds but Ahmadreza has won gold in his first World Championships experience.

Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI)Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI) and Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA) battle it out in the 77kg final. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

After completing his final, Ahmadreza took to cheering for Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI) against returning silver medalist Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA) in the 77kg final. Abdevali, one of the seven siblings, denied Solovei a chance to create history for Moldova, beating him 1-1 in the 77kg final.

Solovei was hoping to become Moldova's first U20 world champion in Greco-Roman but for the second straight year, he will have to be satisfied with a silver medal. Abdevali and Solovei exchanged activity points in the final with Abdevali holding the criteria and despite his best efforts, Solovei failed to score the point needed to win.

By winning the final, Abdevali also avenged his 2021 U17 World Championships final's loss to Solovei. That was also a similar final in which the criteria was with Solovei, giving the Moldovan a gold medal.

Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI)Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) defeated Wenhao JIANG (CHN) in the 130kg. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

The focus then turned to Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) as he wrestled for the 130kg gold for the second straight year. He suffered a heartbreaking loss in Sofia last year but Hedayati made amends and won the gold medal via technical superiority.

It was in Amman a month ago that Hedayati rocked Wenhao JIANG (CHN) 11-1 in the 130kg final of the U20 Asian Championships. Jiang was hoping to at least close the gap but there was no change in the result as Hedayati beat Jiang 8-0 and put behind the disappointment from last year. Hedayati scored four steptous and two takedowns in the 8-0 win over Jiang.

"I’m glad that I was able to change the silver I won in Sofia to gold in Amman and make my people happy," Hedayati said. "I won all the bouts with excellent scores and became the world champion without giving a single score."

In his four bouts in Amman, Hedayati outscored his opponents 32-0 which also means that he was not in par terre for being passive even once. For the final, Hedayati was aware of Jiang's style which made it easier for him to prepare for the gold medal bout.

"I wrestled with him in the finals of the U20 Asian Championships and won 11-1," he said. "I was able to defeat him in less than three minutes with a score of 8-0. Jiang is a good wrestler as well."

Back home in Iran, the 130kg weight class is dominated by world silver medalist Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI). But Hedayati, who hails from the Freestyle hub of Mazandaran, is open to have a go at any wrestler. 

"I have very good opponents in Iran including Amin Mirzazadeh and other dear friends," he said. "I respect all of them. I’m doing my best to be a good representative for my country in the 2024 Olympics. I want to become a champion in Paris and having good opponents motivates me to increase my training and be able to pass these champions and reach the top of an Olympics."

Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO)The throw that gave Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO) a win over Ali CHOUBANI (IRI). (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Iran could have had another gold medalist if Ali CHOUBANI (IRI) had found a way to beat Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO) in the 87kg final.

Last year, Choubani suffered a dramatic 2-1 final's loss at the 2022 U20 World Championships but Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO) added insult to injury as he scored two points via correct throw on third passivity to take a 3-1 lead. Choubani could not score the takedown needed to win the gold medal and for the second successive year, he will go home with a silver medal.

After exchanging activity points, Choubani had the criteria but the referees called him inactive. Bolkvadze asked for par terre and got the lift but Choubani stood his ground. From the bear-hug, Bolkvade managed to implement a correct throw to get two points. Iran challenged the call but lost on review.

As Bolkvadze celebrated his exception win, Choubani lay on may in disbelief after losing the final for the second straight year. 

The fifth gold medal on Saturday was won by Iskhar KURBAYEV (KAZ) who defeated Farid SADIKHLI (AZE), 5-1, in the 55kg final. This was Kazakhstan's first gold medal in Greco-Roman at U20 Worlds in seven years.

 

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RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Iskhar KURBAYEV (KAZ) df. Farid SADIKHLI (AZE), 5-1

BRONZE: Nuristan SUIORKULOV (KGZ) df. Emre MUTLU (TUR), 2-1
BRONZE: Alisher GANIEV (UZB) df. Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI), 9-0

63kg
GOLD: Ahmadreza MOHSEN NEZHAD (IRI) df. Zhantoro MIRZALIEV (KGZ), 9-0

BRONZE: Dinislam SAGITZHAN (KAZ) df. Landon DRURY (USA), 9-0
BRONZE: Komei SAWADA (JPN) df. SANDEEP (IND), 4-0

77kg
GOLD: Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI) df. Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA), 1-1

BRONZE: Deepak PUNIA (IND) df. Tornike MIKELADZE (GEO), 4-2
BRONZE: Abdulmasih ABDULMASIH (AIN) df. Erlan MARS UULU (KGZ), 11-2

87kg
GOLD: Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO) df. Abolfazl CHOUBANI (IRI), 4-1

BRONZE: Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) df. Tourpal MAGAMADOV (FRA), 13-4
BRONZE: Vigen NAZARYAN (ARM) df. Wyatt VOELKER (USA), 7-0

130kg
GOLD: Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) df. Wenhao JIANG (CHN), 8-0

BRONZE: Achilleas CHRYSIDIS (GRE) df. Aleksandr MELEKHOV (AIN), 5-0
BRONZE: Fekry EISSA (EGY) df. Talip CIFTCI (TUR), 3-2 

GR Semifinals

60kg
GOLD: SUMIT (IND) vs. Suren AGHAJANYAN (ARM)

SF 1: SUMIT (IND) df. Amirreza DEHBOZORGI (IRI), 10-0
SF 2: Suren AGHAJANYAN (ARM) df. Emirlan DUISHENALIEV (KGZ), 

67kg
GOLD: Moustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY) vs. Gaspar TERTERYAN (ARM)

SF 1: Moustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY) df. Ahoura BOUVEIRI PIANI (IRI), 9-4
SF 2: Gaspar TERTERYAN (ARM) df. Nestori MANNILA (FIN), 5-2

72kg
GOLD: Imran ALIEV (AIN) vs. Levente LEVAI (HUN)

SF 1: Imran ALIEV (AIN) df. Anri PUTKARADZE (GEO), 9-0
SF 2: Levente LEVAI (HUN) df. Aaron BELLSCHEIDT (GER), 5-1

82kg
GOLD: Alperen BERBER (TUR) vs. Yasin YAZDI (IRI)

SF 1: Alperen BERBER (TUR) df. Data CHKHAIDZE (GEO), 8-0
SF 2: Yasin YAZDI (IRI) df. Ruben GEVORGYAN (ARM), 4-0

97kg
GOLD: Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (AIN) vs. Gor AYVAZYAN (GEO)

SF 1: Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (AIN) df. Kevin USPENSKI (EST), 14-4
SF 2: Gor AYVAZYAN (GEO) df. Rostislav COVALI (MDA), 3-1

#WrestleZagreb

World Championships 2025 Day 8: GR 63kg, 67kg, 87kg Highlights

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (September 20) -- The World Championships are close to its end with the final full day of action on Saturday. Three packed weight classes -- 63kg, 67kg and 87kg -- go on the mat.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 7 RESULTS

67kg semifinals
SF 1: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) vs Daniial AGAEV (UWW)
SF 2: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) vs. Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ)

14:28: Daniial AGAEV (UWW) ends the bid of former Olympic champion Luis ORTA (CUB) for a second world title when he gets a 2-point lift and dump from par terre -- after being given more than ample time to complete the move -- in the second period for a 4-2 win at 67kg. Agaev will face Esmaeili for a place in the final.

14:27: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) completes a correct throw from par terre which gives him a 4-3 lead and ultimately the victory over Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) in the 67kg quarterfinals. Galstyan threaten to upset the world silver and Olympic bronze medalist as he turned him when he got the par terre. However, Jafarov scored a stepout to make it 3-1 at the break.

14:23: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) remains on fire, chalking up his third straight victory by technical superiority without giving up a point as he annihilates Haavard JOERGENSEN (NOR) 8-0 at 67kg. Esmaeili comes out of the blocks with quick 4-point arm throw. Set up in par terre, he then executes a roll, then charges Joergensen out for a stepout. The final point was awarded on challenge, ending the match at 1:54.

14:21: Host Croatia's quest for a world finalist ends as Dominik ETLINGER (CRO) drops his quarterfinal at 67kg 10-0 to Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) who absolutely manhandled Etlinger. A reverse lift throw for four and suplex for four in his win.

63kg semifinals
SF 1: Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) vs. Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI)
SF 2: Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) vs. Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA)

14:15: Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) puts Moldova in the semifinals with a 3-1 victory over Azatjan ACHILOV (TKM) at 63kg. A two-point turn from par terre is difference between the two wrestlers.

14:14: Seven years after winning his lone world title, Sergey EMELIN (UWW) sees his quest end in Zagreb due to the newest rule change in the sport, as three-time Asian medalist Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) gains the first of two passivity points to win 1-1 on "first-point" criteria and advance to the 63kg semifinals.

14:13: Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB), the world U20 and senior Asian champion, reaches the semifinals at 63kg with an 8-0 technical superiority win over Yerzhet ZHARLYKASSYN (KAZ). Unreal forward pressure from Khalmakhanov.

14:10: Asian silver medalist Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) continued his quest for a world gold with a comprehensive 8-0 win over Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) to make the 63kg semifinals. Keshtkar powers Mammadov down for a takedown, then unleashes a 2-point throw, which gets a 2-point foul attached. That puts Keshtkar on top of par terre, and he takes advantage with another 2-point throw to end the match at 2:07.

87kg Semifinals
SF 1: David LOSONCZI (HUN) vs. Alireza MOHAMADI (IRI)
SF 2: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) vs. Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW)

14:02: Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) somehow manages to defend against a throw from par terre by Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) even after being lifted in the air, landing on top for two points, which are awarded on challenge. Alirzaev then puts the match away when he goes on top in par terre in the second period, scoring two rolls for a 7-1 victory and a place in the 87kg semifinals.

14:02: Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) got the first priority Alireza MOHMADI (IRI) but he fails to score any points from par terre and leads 1-0 at the break. Mohmadi gets the two points from par terre and a stepout to lead 4-1. Zhanyshov cannot break the defense of Mohamadi who wins with that scoreline.

1401: Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) gets the par terre and a stepout to lead David LOSONCZI (HUN) 2-0 at the break. In the second period, Losonczi trips to grip Filchakov who is cautioned for fleeing and the bouts restarts in par terre. Losonczi with a four-pointer to lead 6-2. He defends that lead to enter the semifinals at 87kg.

14:00: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) gets the first of the two passivity points awarded, and that makes the difference in a 1-1 victory over Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) that puts him into the 87kg semifinals later today.

Quarterfinals begin at the same time.

13:34: Gagik SNJOYAN (FRA) turns Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) from par terre to take a 3-0 lead in the first period but the Armenian unleashes a strong gut-wrench in the second period and scores four turns for eight points to lead 9-3 and win the bout at 67kg.

13:30: Former European champion Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) manages to turn Aref MOHAMMADI (QAT) just enough to get the two points from par terre to lead 3-1. Qatar challenges against the scoring but that is lost and Eriomenco wins 4-1 at 63kg.

13:28: Host Croatia's long-shot hopes of winning a gold medal remained alive when Dominik ETLINGER (CRO) scored all of his points in the second period to knock off No. 2 seed Valentin PETIC (MDA) 7-4 at 67kg. Etlinger reeled of two rolls from par terre, then twice stopped throw attempts for 2-point counters. Of concern is that Etlinger was holding his left arm after the match, indicating a possible injury.

13:22: Luis ORTA (CUB) into the 67kg quarterfinals with a 1-1 victory over Murat FIRAT (TUR) as he gets the criteria according to the new Greco-Roman rules which gives the victory to the first scorer if the bout ends 1-1. As has become the norm, Turkiye challenge after the match which changes the score to 2-1 but Orta remains the winner.

13:13: A clutch takedown from Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) in the final 8 seconds as he upsets European champion Kerem KAMAL (TUR), 5-3. Kamal was leading 3-3 on criteria after both score two-point turns from their par terre position. However, Mammadov managed to find an opening in the final moments to hand Kamal his first loss of this year when he would have least liked it.

13:12: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) finishes off a victory over Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADA (AUS) with a spectacular 5-point throw to earn a spot in the 67kg quarterfinals. Put on top in par terre, Jafarov gets two points for a penalty when Shimoyamada blocks his throat while in the air. Australia challenges, but is unsuccessful, putting Jafarov up 4-0. It also puts Shimoyamada, the former Japan national champ, on bottom again, and he is helpless to stop Jafarov's big throw.

13:08: Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) was sailing to  victory with a 5-0 lead over Damian VON EUW (SUI) but the Swiss wrestler slammed him for four to make it interesting in the last minute but Alirzaev with a reversal and he wins 6-4 at 87kg.

13:05: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) continues his devastating form, easily putting away Shermukhammad SHARIBJANOV (UZB) 8-0 to advance to the 67kg quarterfinals. Esmaeli gets a roll from par terre, then picks up a takedown to go ahead 5-0 at the break. Another takedown followed by a stepout ends the match at 4:05.

13:01: Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) keeps the winning streak of Iran going after beating Baosheng HUANG (CHN), 2-1, at 63kg.

12:57: Veteran Sergey EMELIN (UWW) uses a reverse head lock from standing to slam Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) to mat for 4 in the second period, paving the way for a 7-3 victory at 63kg that ends testily. Emelin's final points came on a 2-point penalty, and Aslanyan had some words for Emelin, although they ended up with a final hug as they exited the mat.

12:56: World U20 and Asian senior champion Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) gets a roll and exposure from par terre in the first period and he's through to the 63kg quarterfinals with a 5-1 victory over two-time European medalist Oleksandr HRUSHYN (UKR).

12:50: Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN), Paris Olympic bronze medalist, gets both par terre positions in his match against Szymon SZYMONOWICZ (POL) and he adds a stepout plus a correct throw to win 5-0 and advance to the 87kg quarterfinals.

12:42: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) gives up the first passivity point to Payton JACOBSON (USA) at 87kg, but does not allow a turn in par terre. When his chance comes in the second period, Komarov takes advantage and gut wrenches Jacobson over. An unsuccessful challenge for who-knows-what gives Komarov another point, and he gains a late stepout to win 5-1.

12:40: European champion David LOSONCZI (HUN) uses his early 4-0 lead as a cushion to beat local favorite Ivan HUKLEK (CRO) 4-3 at 87kg. He scored a turn from par terre and stepout to get the 4-0 lead before defending that in the second period.

12:34: Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) gets the roll in par terre against Vigen NAZARYAN (ARM) in the first period of their 87kg clash, then holds steady in the bottom in the second period. That puts last year's world U20 champion into the quarterfinals with a 3-1 win.

12:25: Paris Olympic and 2023 world silver medalist Alireza MOHMADI (IRI) trails 3-1 going into the second period against Daniel ALEKSANDROV (BUL). But he rectifies the situation quickly, getting behind and then launching a beautiful 4-point throw. Mohmadi gets a chance at par terre and repeats the 4-pointer. Another throw is not executed as well, but gives him a 1-point stepout and an 11-3 win and a spot in the 87kg quarterfinals.

12:15: Asian silver medalist Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) sticks Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN) to his back off the whistle for a 4-point takedown at 67kg. As he works for a fall, Beishekeev stands up and slams Sogabe down for a 4-point throw, ending the match 8-0 in 1:30. That avenged a loss by fall to Sogabe in the first round at the 2023 Asian Championships, where Sogabe took the silver.

12:14: Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADA (AUS), a former Asian champion who has made the rare move for a Japanese of changing his national affiliation to Australia, shows he's still got it. The 30-year-old takes Gjete PRENGA (ALB) down to his back for 4, then sends him flying for a 4-point throw to win their 67kg clash 8-0 in 39 seconds.

12:10: European champion and Olympic bronze medalist Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) is taken into the second period by Neiser MARIMON HIDALGO (VEN) at 67kg, albeit with a 3-0 lead, but ducks under for a takedown, then launches a slick 4- point throw for a 9-0 win in 3:52.

12:07: Luis ORTA (CUB), after a four-pointer, gets the par terre and two turns to win Maksym LIU (UKR) to win 9-0. Ukraine corner challenges asking for the last turn to be cancelled but it is valid and the challenge is lost, giving another point to Orta.

12:03: Daniial AGAEV (UWW), a 2024 world U23 bronze medalist,  has a 2-point throw after a takedown annulled on challenge, but comes back in par terre with a trap-arm roll for a 5-0 lead over European bronze medalist Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) at 67kg. In the second period, Khetsuriani charges to a stepout. then gets a chance at par terre. but Agaev resists, and he walks off a 5-2 winner.

11:51: Paris Olympic 67kg champion Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI), who added a second straight Asian title earlier this year and is aiming for his first senior world title, has a challenging opening match in former world champion Sebastian NAD (SRB). Esmaeili scores first by successfully challenging for a singlet-grabbing foul, then muscles Nad down for a takedown. A passivity point gives him a 5-0 lead at the break. In the second period, Esmaeili spins behind for a takedown, then quickly gut wrenches for a 9-0 win.

11:35: Former world champion Leri ABULADZE (GEO) drops his opening bout to Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Sergey EMELIN (UWW), 1-1, on the basis of first-point criteria.

11:27: Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) with a controlled 4-0 victory over Jianwen LUO (CHN) at 87kg. A position in par terre, a turn for two points and a stepout in his win.

11:21: Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ), world U20 champion in 2024, lifts Lasha GOBADZE (GEO) from par terre for a fine suplex for four points. Gobadze is cautioned for two points for a leg foul and the bout restarts in par terre. Yevloyev with a correct throw to finish the bout 9-1

11:17: Vigen NAZARYAN (ARM) held off an aggressive Exauce MUKUBU (NOR) in the final minute to win 1-1 at 87kg. Nazaryan got the first-point criteria

11:11: Paris Olympic silver medalist Alireza MOHMADI (IRI) needed a correct throw and a bodylock to takedown for a 5-1 victory over Hannes WAGNER (GER) at 87kg

11:07: Marcel STERKENBURG (NED), a world U23 silver medalist, starts his senior World Championships with a 4-1 victory over Mukhammadkodir RASULOV (UZB). He scored a stepout to make it 1-1 before getting the par terre and leading 2-1. A turn from par terre extended his lead to 4-1, also the winning score.

11:05: Former European champion Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) gets a bloody lip early in his 87kg match with Soh SAKABE (JPN), but is otherwise untroubled in rolling to a 5-2 win. Two rolls from par terre gives him a 5-0 lead at the break. Sakabe gets a chance at par terre in the second period but hardly budges Komarov, although he gets a stepout in the final seconds.

11:00: Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) comes from 5-1 down to beat Hasan KILINC (TUR), 6-5, at 87kg. Kilic got a reverse lift throw for four points from par terre in the second period to lead 5-1 but Zhanyshov with setpouts and cautions against Kilinc to win.

10:55: Two-time world bronze medalist Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) has little trouble disposing of Erion RAMLJAK (AUS) with an 8-0 victory at 87kg. Filchakov starts with a stepout, then reels off three exposures from par terre to end the proceedings in 1:46.

10:50: After Karlo KODRIC (CRO) ended the 11-year wait for a world medal for hosts Croatia, Ivan HUKLEK (CRO) is looking to add to that bronze medal. He wins with a 9-0 win over Patrik GORDAN (ROU) at 87kg

10:30: The 63kg, 67kg and 87kg wrestlers are set to take the mat on day eight of the World Championships in Zagreb.