Iranian wrestlers Rahman Amouzad and Hassan Yazdani claimed bronze medals in the 65kg and 97kg categories, respectively, as the freestyle competition continued at the 2026 World Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Amouzad secured his medal with a 5-4 victory over Bulgaria's Shamil Mamedov, a world bronze medalist, in the 65kg bronze-medal bout.
The Iranian had to fight his way back through the repechage after losing 3-2 to Armenia's Vazgen Tevanyan in the quarterfinals. He had earlier beaten Belgium's Mousaev 13-2 and Turkey's world silver medalist Selahattin Duman 9-0. He then defeated Kazakhstan's Ossimzhan Dastanbek 11-0 to book his place in the medal match.
Yazdani also came through the repechage to secure bronze in the 97kg category. He defeated Bahrain's Akhmed Tazhudinov, the reigning Olympic champion, 5-0 in the bronze-medal bout.
The 31-year-old Iranian had opened his campaign with an 11-0 victory over South Korea's Kim before losing 7-5 to Japan's Arash Yoshida in the next round. He returned to winning ways with a commanding 10-0 victory over India's Vicky in the repechage.
The two Iranian wrestlers also have distinguished international records. Amouzad is a two-time world champion, having won gold in 2022 and 2025, and an Olympic silver medalist from the 2024 Paris Games.
Yazdani, nicknamed The Greatest, is a 2016 Olympic champion and three-time world champion. He won world titles in 2017, 2019 and 2021, all at 86kg.
Yazdani has now won medals in four different weight categories, adding the 97kg bronze to his Olympic gold at 74kg in 2016 and his World Championships medals at 70kg and 86kg. He has won eight World Championships medals in total.
The gold medals in the two categories went to the United States. Bo Bassett defeated Armenia's Tevanyan 9-1 to win the 65kg title, while Kyle Snyder beat Japan's Yoshida 4-4 on criteria to take gold at 97kg. Snyder added a fifth world title to his collection.
Speaking after his bronze-medal victory, Yazdani said he had been aiming for gold but hoped to achieve that goal at next year's World Championships.
"Thank God, this medal came through God's grace. I am grateful to everyone who supported me. My goal was different, and I was aiming for gold, but I hope to win it next year," he said.
He also pledged to give his best in preparation for the Olympics and target the gold medal at the 2027 World Championships.
Reflecting on his victory in the bronze-medal bout, Yazdani said he was grateful to have avoided disappointing his family and the Iranian public.
The 2026 World Wrestling Championships are being held at Barys Arena in Astana from Oct. 24 to Nov. 1, featuring men's freestyle, Greco-Roman and women's wrestling.
Iran’s Greco-Roman team earlier claimed the team title with a whopping nine medals in 10 weight categories.
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