Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan : Shahin Badaghimofrad scripted history by winning Qatar’s first-ever gold medal at the Asian Wrestling Championships in Greco-Roman wrestling. Competing in the 82kg final, Badaghimofrad edged past Amin Hosseini of Iran with a tense 4–3 victory, delivering a landmark moment for Qatar on the continental stage.
“I’m very happy that I managed to take a bigger step and win a gold medal,” Badaghimofrad said after the bout, reflecting on his rise from a previous bronze medal to this historic triumph.
What This Win Means for Qatar Wrestling
This gold is more than an individual milestone. It marks Qatar’s first Greco-Roman title at the senior Asian level and signals the nation’s growing presence in elite wrestling.
Badaghimofrad, who earlier represented Iran at youth level before switching to Qatar in 2023, has steadily progressed on the international circuit. After modest early results and a bronze medal at the same event previously, this performance stands as the biggest achievement of his career.
Key Results and Records from Greco-Roman Finals
- Several standout performances shaped the Greco-Roman competition in Bishkek:
- Alisher Ganiev (UZB) won 60kg gold by fall in 5:06, overcoming years of near-miss finishes.
- Razzak Beishekeev (KGZ) thrilled the home crowd with an 8–2 win in the 67kg final.
- Almatbek Amanbek (KAZ) secured gold with a quick fall in 1:50 in the 72kg class.
- Hadi Saravi (IRI) dominated the 97kg final with a commanding 7–1 victory.
Team Championship Battle
Despite losing the 82kg final, Iran showcased remarkable depth by medaling in every weight category to win the Greco-Roman team title with 195 points, finishing ahead of hosts Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
Words from the Champions
Badaghimofrad explained that composure played a key role in his win:
“I approached the final without stress. When the referee gave the passivity warning, I executed my move and that made the difference.”
Ganiev credited persistence for his breakthrough, while Beishekeev emphasized the motivation of competing in front of a home crowd.
What’s Next for Badaghimofrad
Even after becoming a continental champion, Badaghimofrad admitted that his wrestling “isn’t perfect yet” and that he aims to improve further with an eye on future World Championships and Olympic qualification events.
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