Amin Mirzazadeh’s Absence Opens the Door for a New Champion
Hedayati faced Amin Mirzazadeh, the reigning world champion and Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist, for a place on Iran’s team. The younger wrestler won the opening bout 5-1, after which Mirzazadeh chose not to continue the best-of-three series.
The result ended Mirzazadeh’s hopes of defending his world title and gave Hedayati the opportunity to compete at his first senior World Championships. It was a significant breakthrough for a wrestler who had spent more than two years trying to secure a place on Iran’s senior team.
Mirzazadeh had won the world title in 2023 and again in 2025. His absence from the final created an opportunity for a new heavyweight champion, and Hedayati seized it with a commanding performance.
Hedayati Reflects on His Historic Victory
After winning gold, Hedayati expressed his happiness at becoming a world champion in his senior debut.
“To win the most precious medal, the gold, in my very first senior World Championships is incredible, and it brings me such joy to make my fellow countrymen happy,” he said.
The Iranian also emphasised that winning a world title would not make his future journey any easier. Instead, he believes the achievement has increased the responsibility to continue improving.
“Wrestling is a sport where there are no fixed limits or records,” Hedayati said. “My task has become harder today compared to yesterday.”
He added that his next objective was to continue working hard and pursue multiple world and Olympic medals.
Iran Strengthens Its Position in Greco-Roman Wrestling
Hedayati’s victory was part of a successful day for Iran at the World Championships. Danial Sohrabi won gold in the men’s 72kg category, while Belarusian wrestler Kiryl Maskevich claimed the 97kg title.
Sohrabi defeated Hungary’s Krisztian Vancza 4-0 in the 72kg final. The Iranian added the world title to his Asian championship success from 2025, continuing his rise in Greco-Roman wrestling.
At 97kg, Maskevich defeated Russian wrestler Artur Sargsian 7-1 to secure his first world title after previously winning two World Championships medals. His victory also marked Belarus’ third Greco-Roman world title.
With three champions crowned on October 26, Iran had already secured the team title before the remaining Greco-Roman finals took place. The country’s strong results underlined its depth across multiple weight categories.
A New Era Begins in the 130kg Division
The men’s 130kg category has traditionally been dominated by established names, including Cuba’s Mija铆n L贸pez and T眉rkiye’s Riza Kayaalp. Iran’s Mirzazadeh also emerged as a major force after winning world titles in 2023 and 2025.
Hedayati’s arrival at the top of the senior division signals a potential shift in the heavyweight landscape. His combination of speed, strength and attacking technique gives him the tools to challenge experienced opponents in future international competitions.
The 2026 World Championships gold is an important milestone, but the Iranian heavyweight has made it clear that he wants to achieve much more. With the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games approaching, his performance in Astana could be the beginning of a longer run at the top of international wrestling.
For now, Hedayati has achieved what many wrestlers spend years pursuing: a senior world title at the first attempt. His dominant campaign has established him as one of the leading names to watch in Greco-Roman heavyweight wrestling.
