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Paris Olympics: Injured Yazdani settles for silver, Zare eyes first Olympic gold

Friday, 09 August 2024 7:12 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 10 August 2024 9:38 AM ]

Iran’s freestyle wrestlers Hassan Yazdani (L) and Amir Hossein Zare

Hassan Yazdani sustained an injury and went down fighting against his opponent Magomed Ramazanov from Bulgaria in the men's freestyle 86kg final at the Paris Olympics.

With silver, Yazdani now equals the record of three Olympic medals set by legendary Iranian wrestler Gholamreza Takhti.

Yazdani had delivered a dominant performance at the Olympic tournament, securing a 10-0 victory over Alexander Lawrence of Australia in his first match to advance to the quarterfinals.

In his second match, Yazdani continued his impressive run by defeating Greece's Dauren Khalidovich Kurugliev with a 9-4 victory, earning his place in the semifinals.

His third match saw him beat M N Amine from San Marino 7-1 in the semifinals.

Yazdani, captain of Iran's wrestling team, had already claimed two Olympic medals—a gold at Rio in 2016 and a silver at Tokyo in 2020.

His fight against Taylor in Tokyo was intense and described as the clash of wrestling titans. Taylor had the last laugh, avenging his defeat To Yazdani in the world championships.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian praised Yazdani’s victory in the Paris Olympics.

“Hassan Yazdani, my dear son, you fought like a man, your hands are gold,” he tweeted. “Congratulations on winning the Olympic medal.”

President Pezeshkian's message after Hassan Yazdani's Paris Olympic silver.

"Hassan Yazdani, my dear son, you fought like a man. Your hands are golden. You gave meaning to "For Iran until the last breath." Congratulations on winning the Olympic (silver) medal.#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/O1t9yeNrC8
— Press TV at Paris Olympics (@presstvsports) August 9, 2024