3 Medals for Iran

Iran cadet wrestling team won three medals at the 2018 Cadet World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, on Tuesday in the freestyle category.

According to results posted on United World Wrestling website, Amir Zare, Mohammad-Reza Ghiyasi and Mohammad Karimi won gold, silver and bronze medals respectively.

In the 110kg division Zare first hammered Qiang Li from China 11-0 in the fourth minute of the match. Zare then overpowered Bulgarian Stoyan Iliev Yoradonov 10-0 to face Azeri rival Islam Aslangereyvic Abuev in the semifinal clash. Not much of a difficult task, the Iranian thrashed Azeri wrestler 11-0 and walked into the finals.

Maintaining his winning streak, the 2018 Cadet Asian champion Zare beat 2017 Cadet World champion Daniel Kerkvliet from the US in the final. The combination of three step outs and two takedowns gave Zare a 7-4 edge and his first Cadet World title.

In the 80kg class, Mohammad-Reza Ghiyasi defeated Mongolian Batmagnai Enkhtuvshin 9-2 in the qualification round. He later hammered American Abe Edward Assad 10-0 and earned a place in the quarterfinals where he went on the mat against German Joshua Philipp David Morodion and overpowered him 12-0 in a flawless victory.

With wind in his sail, Ghiyasi also won his semifinal game against Azeri Sagadulla Agaev 6-1 securing his berth in the finals. In the final it was Dmitrii Elkanov from Russia trailing Ghiyasi 6-2 late in the match. With just four seconds left, Elkanov threw Ghiyasi with double overhooks to take the lead on criteria. The Russian won gold with 7-6 and left the silver for Ghiyasi.

Bronze winner Karimi, stormed into his first match against Greek Christoforos Loizidis at the 65kg category and defeated him 12-2. No points given and 10 at hand, Karimi won over Mongolian Suldkhuu Olonbayar in the round of 16 and went up to quarterfinals to face Masaki Sato from Japan.

In a breathtaking combat, Karimi edged the Japanese 6-5 and advanced to the semifinal against Turan Bayramov of Azerbaijan where he accepted the 8-2 loss and went to the repechage games to fight for bronze against Armenian Narek Harutyunyan.

Karimi ended hopes for the Armenian in a 10-5 victory and brought home the bronze medal. Croatian Wrestling Federation in Zagreb is the organizer of the Cadet World Championship from July 2-8.