Iran finishes runner-up in Asian Junior Wushu Championships

The Iranian sports delegation has commendably ended its campaign at the ninth edition of Asian Junior Wushu Championships in South Korea, and managed to finish in the second place overall at the continental event.

Having won four gold and two silver medals, the Islamic Republic of Iran stood behind China, with five gold and two medals at the conclusion of Sanda competitions

India collected two gold, two silver and three bronze medals to secure the third place.

Sanda, sometimes called Sanshou or Lei tai, has all the combat aspects of wushu, but includes many more grappling techniques.

On Wednesday, Iranian sportsman Hassan Khademi defeated a representative from India in the last contest of the men’s minus 80-kilogram category of the Sanda (sparring) discipline at Park Chung Hee Gymnasium in Gumi City, and received the gold medal.

Ahmad Vahedi also triumphed over his Malaysian opponent in the men’s minus 75-kilogram class, and struck another gold for Iran.

In the men’s minus 65-kilogram category, Ali Mohammadi prevailed over his Vietnamese rival and got the gold medal.

Iran’s wushu artist Alireza Rigi beat a Chinese athlete in the men’s minus 60-kilogram category and was awarded the gold medal.

Fatemeh Vaisi and Shaghayegh Pashaei collected two silver medals for Iran in the women’s minus 52-kilogram and minus 60-kilogram categories respectively.

Earlier in the day, Zahra Kiani could get 9.51 points in the final competition of Chiangshu form in the girls’ 15-18-year-old section, and snatched the gold medal.

A Vietnamese contestant managed to accumulate 9.44 points and stood second. A competitor from Japan racked up 9.42 points to occupy the third place.

Additionally, Mina Panahi tallied 9.44 points to claim the silver medal in the Nandao form of Taolu competitions in the girls’ 12-15-year-old category.

A contestant from Hong Kong notched up 9.49 points to collect the gold. A representative from Indonesia settled for the bronze medal with 9.41 points.

Nandao is a kind of sword that is used mostly in contemporary Chinese wushu exercises and forms. 

Nandao is mostly used two-handed due to its larger amount of weight as compared to the "northern broadsword," or Beidao. It also has a large metal cross guard useful in deflecting blows and hooking the opponent's weapon.

Meanwhile, the Iranian women’s duelin Taolu team recorded convincing victories on Wednesday, and picked up the gold medal with a total score of 9.46 points. It was followed by Hong Kong squad with 9.34 points. South Korea bagged 9.35 points and stood third.

Amir Hossein Soltani and Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini also participated in the men’s duelin Taolu team contests. They received the silver medal, having earned 9.50 points.

Malaysia took the gold medal with a total score of 9.54 points. Hong Kong collected 9.30 points to pocket the bronze medal.

The ninth edition of Asian Junior Wushu Championships kicked off on September 14, and will run through September 21, 2017.

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