Wrestling 2026: Fardin Hedayati Makes Greco-Roman 130kg World Championships Debut
Fardin Hedayati Leads the New Era of Greco-Roman 130kg Wrestling
The Greco-Roman 130kg category is set for a major transition at the 2026 World Wrestling Championships, with Iran’s Fardin Hedayati preparing to make his senior World Championships debut in Astana, Kazakhstan. The 22-year-old heavyweight has already established himself as one of the most promising wrestlers in the sport, winning titles at the U20 and U23 World Championships and at continental level.
For years, the heavyweight division has been dominated by Cuba’s Mijaín López and Turkey’s Riza Kayaalp. However, Iran’s Amin Mirzazadeh also emerged as a major force, winning world titles in 2023 and 2025. With Hedayati now stepping onto the senior world stage, the competition at 130kg could enter a new phase.
According to United World Wrestling (UWW), Hedayati will arrive in Astana as the favourite for gold. His impressive performances at age-group and senior competitions, along with victories over established heavyweight contenders, have strengthened his reputation ahead of his debut.
Hedayati Defeats Mirzazadeh to Secure Iran’s 130kg Spot
Hedayati secured his place on Iran’s Greco-Roman team after defeating two-time world champion Amin Mirzazadeh in the national selection trials in June 2026. The young heavyweight won the opening bout 5–1, delivering the biggest victory of his career at that point.
Mirzazadeh had an opportunity to continue the best-of-three selection series, but he withdrew from the remaining bouts, allowing Hedayati to claim the spot at 130kg.
The result marked a significant breakthrough for Hedayati, who had been competing for a place on Iran’s senior team for more than two years. Defeating an established world champion in the selection trials demonstrated his ability to challenge the leading wrestlers in the heavyweight division.
Greco-Roman 130kg: Hedayati’s Strengths and Experience
Hedayati combines strength with impressive movement for a wrestler competing at 130kg. UWW has highlighted his speed and improved par terre defence as important parts of his development.
The Iranian has also recorded victories against leading heavyweights, including Kayaalp, Cuba’s Oscar Pino and Belarusian Pavel Hlinchuk. These results give him valuable experience against opponents who could challenge him in Astana.
Hedayati has continued to work on his par terre offence to become a more complete wrestler. His progress in both attack and defence will be important as he moves from age-group success to the demands of senior international competition.
Riza Kayaalp Returns as a Major 130kg Challenge
Although Hedayati is among the leading favourites, the Greco-Roman 130kg field includes several experienced opponents. Turkey’s Riza Kayaalp is returning to the World Championships after a three-year absence and will be looking to make another statement on the international stage.
Kayaalp claimed a record-extending 13th European title in April 2026. His experience and long history of success make him a serious threat to the younger contenders, although his return also raises questions about how the heavyweight hierarchy will develop.
Belarusian wrestler Pavel Hlinchuk is another name to watch. He gave Kayaalp a difficult contest at the European Championships before being disqualified, and a potential meeting in Astana could provide another opportunity to test the Turkish heavyweight.
Russia’s Sergei Semenov, who missed out on a medal at the 2025 World Championships, will also be aiming to return to the podium. Meanwhile, China’s Wenhao Jiang enters the competition after becoming the country’s first U23 world champion in Greco-Roman wrestling, adding another emerging contender to the division.
Wrestling 2026: What to Expect at the World Championships
The Greco-Roman competition at the 2026 World Wrestling Championships begins on October 24 in Astana, Kazakhstan, with the overall tournament scheduled to run until November 1.
The championship will feature close to 300 Greco-Roman wrestlers across 10 weight categories, with 40 medals available. The 130kg division is guaranteed to crown a new world champion, making it one of the most closely watched categories of the tournament.
For Hedayati, the event represents an opportunity to turn his age-group achievements into senior world-level success. His selection victory over Mirzazadeh and previous wins against established heavyweights have placed him among the strongest contenders before the competition begins.
However, the challenge will be demanding. Experienced wrestlers such as Kayaalp and Semenov bring years of senior competition experience, while younger athletes are increasingly challenging the established order.
Fardin Hedayati Targets Gold in Greco-Roman 130kg
Hedayati’s senior World Championships debut comes at an important moment for Iranian wrestling. Iran has enjoyed considerable success in Greco-Roman wrestling, and the emergence of another heavyweight contender could strengthen its position ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle.
The Iranian will enter the 130kg competition with high expectations, but converting that potential into a world title will require him to perform consistently against experienced international opponents.
With a new champion guaranteed in Astana, the Greco-Roman heavyweight division offers Hedayati a major opportunity. His performance will help determine whether the rising Iranian star can immediately establish himself among the world’s leading senior wrestlers.
