#ThrowBackThursday

#TBT Ramimi picks up close win against Ramos at 2015 World Cup

Thursday, June 30, 2022 - 12:33 By Eric Olanowski

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LOS ANGELES, United States (June 30) --- Hassan RAHIMI helped Iran get out to an early 1-0 lead with his one-point win over USA’s Tony RAMOS in the finals of the 2015 World Cup in Los Angeles.

The turning point of the 57kg matchup came in the second frame, when Rahimi and Ramos traded two exposure points. After the action was blown dead, the Iranian world champ led 4-3 on the scoreboard. But Ramos questioned Rahimi’s exposure points and challenged the call. The call was ultimately upheld, giving Rahimi the 5-3 advantage.

With one minute left, Rahimi conceded a caution-and-one, cutting his lead to 6-5. Then, with less than 30 second remaining in the bout, Rahimi jacked up double underhooks and drove Ramos out for the one point. He won the bout and kick-started Iran’s eventual 5-3 over the United States.

Here are the final results:

IRAN 5, UNITED STATES 3
57 kg - Hassan RAHIMI (IRI) df. Tony RAMOS (USA), 6-5
61 kg - Behnam EHSANPOOR (IRI) df. Coleman SCOTT (USA), 9-7
65 kg - Brent METCALF (USA) df. Masmoud ESMAILPOUR (IRI), 3-1
70 kg - Hassan YAZDANI CHARATI (IRI) df. Nick MARABLE (USA), 3-1
74 kg - Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) df. Morteza REZAEI GHALEH (IRI) by TF, 10-0
86 kg - Meisam MOSTAFAJOUKAR (IRI) df.  Clayton FOSTER (USA) by TF, 12-2
97 kg - Jake VARNER (USA) df. Mohammad HOSSIEN MOHAMMADIAN (IRI), 3-3
125 kg - Komeil GHASEMI (IRI) df. Zach REY (USA), 3-1

#GrecoRoman

'Thank you, wrestling': Tokyo Olympic medalist Elsayed, 27, retires

Monday, July 14, 2025 - 10:34 By Vinay Siwach

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EGYPT (July 14) -- Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Mohamed ELSAYED (EGY) has announced his retirement from wrestling, concluding a distinguished career that included two Olympic appearances and two world U23 gold medals.

Elsayed posted on Instagram about his struggles with injuries and shared that the decision to retire was the "most difficult" for the 27-year-old wrestler.

"After many years of hard work, challenges, and victories [and] after I honored my country and raised its flag in internationally, and was able to achieve my dream and win an Olympic medal in Greco-Roman wrestling, I have reached the most difficult decision in my sports career.  I have decided to officially announce my retirement," Elsayed wrote in an emotional post.

Having won five gold medals at the African Championships, Elsayed was a trailblazer in Greco-Roman and was Egypt's new-found hope for the Olympics. He did not disappoint in Tokyo, where he had a surprising run to the semifinal, which he lost to Parviz NASIBOV (UKR), 7-6.

He bounced back in the bronze-medal bout and defeated Artem SURKOV (ROC), 1-1 to capture bronze, Egypt's first medal since 2012 London Olympics and only the third since 1960.

"Wrestling has always been more than just a sport to me," he wrote. "It was my life, my passion, and my support in the most difficult times. I thank God for every moment I lived on the mat and every moment of pride, and every encouragement I heard from my family, fans, and country."

One of the biggest achievements of Elsayed, apart from the Olympic medal, was winning successive world U23 gold medals in 2018 and 2019 at 67kg.

Elsayed expressed gratitude to various individuals who supported him throughout the journey including coaches and trainers. He also thanked wrestling.

"I thank every coach who helped me, every colleague who stood by me, and everyone who supported me with a kind word or a prayer from the heart. Thank you to everyone who was part of the journey.

"Thank you to wrestling, which taught me to be a man before being a champion."