#WrestleAlmaty

Watch: 10 Greco-Roman finals from #WrestleAlmaty

Friday, June 10, 2022 - 10:50 By Vinay Siwach

ALMATY, Kazakhstan (June 10) -- Bolay Turlykhanov Cup in Almaty saw some of the biggest Greco-Roman stars in action. The field was highlighted by world and Olympic champion Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI).

Iran did send a strong team but so did Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Turkey too had entered a few of their star wrestlers and ended up winning three gold medals.

Watch the 10 Greco-Roman finals from the Bolat Turlykhanov Cup.

55kg: GOLD - Marlan MUKASHEV (KAZ) vs. Poya DAD MARZ (IRI)

60kg: GOLD - Ali Reza NEJATI (IRI) vs. Pouya NASERPOUR (IRI)

63kg: GOLD - Kerem KAMAL (TUR) vs. Bagylan ZHAKANSHA (KAZ)

67kg: GOLD - Abror ATABAEV (UZB) vs. Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO)

72kg: Round 3 - Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) vs. Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI)

Shermakhanbet injury defaulted against Geraei in the final but had defeated the Olympic champ in Round 3. Here's the bout.

77kg: GOLD - Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) vs. Kaharman KISSYMETOV (KAZ)

82kg: GOLD - Pejman POSHTAM (IRI) vs. Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ)

87kg: GOLD - Ramin TAHERISARTANG (IRI) vs. Aivengo RIKADZE (GEO)

97kg: GOLD - Metehan BASAR (TUR) vs. Mahdi FALLAH (IRI)

130kg: GOLD - Osman YILDIRIM (TUR) vs. Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI)

Habibi, Iran's first Olympic champion, dies aged 94

Monday, August 25, 2025 - 09:42 By United World Wrestling Press

TEHRAN, Iran (August 24) -- Emamali HABIBI (IRI), Iran's first-ever Olympic gold medalist and United World Wrestling Hall of Fame member, passed away Sunday aged 94.

Habibi was born Babol in 1931 and won the first Olympic gold medal for Iran in 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. Facing Alimbeg BESTAEV in the final round to decide the gold medalist, Habibi secured a fall in the 67kg final and etched his name in history, became first Olympic champion for Iran.

It was a rare feat in those times as he had never wrestled at an international event before the Olympics. He would make his World Championships debut in 1959, winning gold medal at 73kg. He defended his title in 1961 and added a third gold medal in 1962 at 78kg.

Emamali HABIBI (IRI) with his World Championships gold medal.

He participated in the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome at 73kg and finished fourth. Habibi also has a gold medal at the 1958 Asian Games, held in Tokyo, Japan.

Habibi's legacy also includes his diverse wrestling techniques and speed on the mat which allowed him to win bouts with domination. He is widely considered one of the greatest freestyle wrestlers of his times. He was included in the UWW Hall of Fame in 2007 for his contribution to wrestling.

UWW offers its condolences to Iran Wrestling Federation and the Habibi family.