Wrestler Geraei battles to Iran’s second gold medal of Tokyo 2020

Gold for Iran's Mohammadreza Geraei. © Reuters
Gold for Iran's Mohammadreza Geraei. © Reuters

Tokyo, Japan, August 4, 2021: Greco-Roman wrestler Mohammadreza Geraei claimed Iran’s second gold medal of Tokyo 2020 on Wednesday night at Makuhari Messe Hall A in Chiba prefecture.

Geraei, 25, proved too strong for Parviz Nasibov of Ukraine in the final of the men’s Greco-Roman 67kg final to put Iran back on the golden trail – 11 days after Javad Foroughi’s shooting gold in the men’s 10m air pistol on July 24.

The Olympic debutant had beaten opponents from Colombia, Germany and Georgia on Tuesday to book a place in the final on Wednesday evening. 

On the strength of a four-point takedown, the Iranian was ahead 8-1 when a technical penalty against the Ukrainian ended the bout at 9-1 in Geraei’s favour after 4 minutes and 9 seconds.

Freestyle wrestler Hassan Yazdani has advanced to the final bout of 86kg and will meet David Taylor from the U.S. on Thursday.

The 97kg Greco-Roman wrestler Mohammadhadi Saravi has also won a bronze medal for Iran in the Games.