Hassan Yazdani secures 2026 World Championships berth as Iran finalizes freestyle team

Iran completed its freestyle wrestling lineup for the 2026 World Championships on Friday, with Olympic and world champion Hassan Yazdani securing the 97kg spot after winning his selection bouts at the Takhti Cup.

The final selection contests in the 74kg, 92kg and 97kg categories were held during the prestigious international tournament, determining the last three places on Iran's team for the world championships in Kazakhstan.

At 97kg, Hassan Yazdani defeated Amirali Azarpira twice to clinch his place on the national team. He won the opening bout 4-2 before sealing the selection with a 5-3 victory in the rematch.

Yazdani is one of the most accomplished wrestlers in Iranian history with one gold and two silver Olympic medals and three gold medals from world championships.

At 74kg, Amirmohammad Yazdani booked his ticket to the world championships with two victories over Younes Emami. He prevailed 10-6 in the first match before following up with an 11-7 win in the second.

The 92kg berth went to Amirhossein Firouzpour after a tightly contested series against Mohammad Mobin Azimi. Azimi won the first bout on criteria after a 2-2 draw, but Firouzpour responded with a 2-1 victory in the second match to earn selection.

The results completed Iran's freestyle roster for the world championships.

The lineup features Alireza Valizadeh (57kg), Reza Momeni Javan (61kg), Rahman Amouzad (65kg), Amirmohammad Yazdani (74kg), Mohammad Nokhodi (79kg), Kamran Ghasempour (86kg), Amirhossein Firouzpour (92kg), Hassan Yazdani (97kg) and Amirhossein Zare (125kg).

Several members of the squad are among the world's most decorated wrestlers.

Amouzad is a world champion at 65kg, while Ghasempour captured back-to-back world titles at 92kg in 2021 and 2022. Heavyweight star Zare is also a multiple-time world champion and Olympic medalist.

The 2026 World Wrestling Championships are scheduled to be held in Astana, Kazakhstan, from October 24 to November 1 after United World Wrestling moved the event from Bahrain. The tournament will take place at Barys Arena and feature the world's top freestyle, Greco-Roman and women's wrestlers.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir