#development

United World Wrestling continues to spread wrestling in Ocean Indian

Wednesday, July 27, 2022 - 12:19 By United World Wrestling Press

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MORONI, Comoros (July 27) --- From 17th to 23 July 2022, United World wrestling deliver a level 1 coaching course through the support of Olympic Solidarity.

This course was delivered by Vincent AKA, United World Wrestling development officer. During this week, they were theoretical and practical of wrestling. To raise the technical level in wrestling, the emphasis was placed every morning and afternoon on the acquisition of basic techniques in Olympic wrestling on the mat.

This was an opportunity to discuss the ratings of wrestling techniques. This allowed the referees to make clarification on the knowledge of the points of the regulations relating to the situation of standing wrestling and wrestling on the ground.

To use all the key points to grow wrestling, it appears with the beautiful beaches in Comoros that to achieve the development of wrestling the interest of all clubs and wrestlers to use beach wrestling to contribute to a more exciting activity and promote wrestling by using the Beach.

Also, to start the process, during the course, while using Olympic style, the development officer proposes to use Beach Wrestling, which will be an opportunity to progress on growing wrestling in the whole Comoros.  from then on, the whole day of Wednesday was devoted to beach wrestling. This day was amazing as people on the beach join the participants and enjoy the activities.

That makes the President of the National Federation Mr. Abdallah and Mr. PAPA, Technical Director of the NOC said that: ``We have funded the key to promote and grow wrestling in Comoros”. We are going to use it Sundays when everybody comes to the Beach.

United World Wrestling continues its momentum to develop wrestling in the Indian ocean. Given the situation of the young Comorian Federation of Associated Wrestling, the development department under the leadership of Mrs. Deqa Niamkey has judged to send to the Comoros, Vincent AKA, Development Officer to provide real support to this young federation. By using the Olympic Solidarity course, United world wrestling create all the possibilities to use all stones on which to base the future development of wrestling in the Comoros.

Smaller federations will get special attention as the United World Wrestling does its utmost to create the conditions for wrestlers and federations to flourish. United World Wrestling will continue to partner with officials and organizations dedicated to the development of wrestling

United World Wrestling is determined through the new strategy led by President Nenad Lalovic to support the smaller federations to improve the development of wrestling in all regions of the world. Through its actions in the field, the development department remains the armed wing of the implementation of this vision.

United World Wrestling remains committed to spreading and growing wrestling in the world.

2026 World Championships

Hedayati Beats World Champ Mirzazadeh to Claim Iran's World Team Spot

Wednesday, June 17, 2026 - 10:33 By Vinay Siwach

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KERMAN, Iran (June 16) -- World champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) decided to skip the second bout of the best-of-three series against Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI), ending his hopes of defending his world title this year.

Hedayati, who has been knocking on the door of Iran's world team for more than two years, defeated Mirzazadeh, 5-1, in the opening selection bout at 130kg to secure a spot on Iran's Greco-Roman team for the 2026 World Championships, to be held in Astana, Kazakhstan, from October 24 to November 1.

Mirzazadeh still had a chance to claim the spot if he won the remaining two bouts, but he chose not to continue in the series, effectively conceding the berth to Hedayati.

Hedayati scored on a passivity point, two pushouts and a two-point go-behind. Mirzazadeh's only point came from passivity as he failed to score from par terre.

"I respect Mirzazadeh a lot as he is a world champion," Hedayati told UWW. "But we worked a lot for one year to beat him."

In the selection bout last year, Hedayati hoped to hang on for a 1-1 criteria victory but Mirzazadeh scored a par terre turn to win 3-1. Hedayati switched his strategy this year and did not wait for the par terre position. He even asked for a standing restart when Mirzazadeh was called passive.

"Last year, I waited for the second period to win 1-1, but now I started to push right off the whistle," he said. "My plan was to push him out because I can do it. When I got passivity advantage, I asked for a start in standing."

Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI)Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) defeated Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI), 5-1.

The 22-year-old Hedayati, who hails from Amol, the same town as 125kg freestyle world champion Amirhossein ZARE (IRI), will be making his senior World Championships debut in Astana as part of a strong Iran team that features three champions among seven returning medalists.

Zare was present in Kerman to support and coach Hedayati, who calls the Freestyle wrestler 'a brother'.

"I train with Zare because of our weight classes and he came here for my match," he said. "Outside of the mat, we run together, go for hiking, cross country and share a lot of time together to discuss wrestling. We always talk about winning the gold medal together, especially at the Olympics."

The Olympics are still two years away, but Zare and Hedayati can both win gold at the World Championships in Astana.

Hedayati, despite his debut, will enter as the favorite at 130kg. He has already won golds at the U20 and U23 World Championships, the Asian Championships and Ranking Series. He has registered wins over all major 130kg wrestlers including Riza KAYAALP (TUR), Oscar PINO (CUB), Pavel HLINCHUK (BLR), among others.

His only international loss came in 2022 in the U20 World Championships final, 6-4, against Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR) that he has since avenged.

"I am training with Ghasem REZAEI (2012 London Olympic champion at 96kg) to improve my par terre offense so I can be a complete wrestler. My defense in par terre is good," he said.

In other weight classes, Iran will be bringing seven medalists including three champions. Olympic champion Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) will be at 67kg and Hadi SARAVI (IRI) at 97kg. Both are defending world champions along with Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI) who will be at 82kg.

The returning silver medalists are Payam AHMADI (IRI) at 55kg and Alireza MOHMADI (IRI) at 87kg, while Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) at 63kg and Danial SOHRABI (IRI) at 72kg are returning bronze medalists.

Former U20 world champion Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI), who finished 17th last year, will look to win a medal for his team along with Ali OSKOU (IRI) at 77kg who will be making his World Championships debut.

Iran's Freestyle team for the 2026 World Championships will be selected on Friday, June 19 with Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) and Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI), both at 97kg. 

Iran's Greco-Roman Team for 2026 World Championships

55kg: Payam AHMADI (IRI)
60kg: Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI)
63kg: Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI)
67kg: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI)
72kg: Danial SOHRABI (IRI)
77kg: Ali OSKOU (IRI)
82kg: Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI)
87kg: Alireza MOHMADI (IRI)
97kg: Hadi SARAVI (IRI)
130kg: Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI)