Lead by Rasoul Khadem Iran’s talented, four-athlete freestyle delegation at the Stepan Sarkisyan Cup in Yerevan, Armenia, brought home two medals in the first day of the competitions held in Mika Stadium of Yerevan city of Armenia.
In 97 kg/213 lbs. category, Iranian wrestler Mohammad-Hossein Mohammadian enjoyed a single-round bye into the second round of the tournament where he defeated the Macedonian wrestler Magomed Gadjinarav 12-10. In the third round Mohammadian overpowered the Russian wrestler 7-1 and got on the mat with his American rival to pass to final. To crown the title in the 97 kg class Mohammadian defeated the renowned Ukrainian wrestler Pavlo Oliinyk 2-1 in final.
Behnam Ehsanpour the other member of Iran’s squad won the bronze medal of 61 kg category.
Reza Atari Iran’s representative in 57 kg class lost to his Russian foe and left the competition empty-handed.
The Iranian freestyle squad left Tehran on Friday July 17 to take part in the two day event.
The freestyle wrestling international tournament dedicated to Stepan Sarkisyan takes place in Sarkisyan's hometown of Vanadzor, Armenia as of 1996. Wrestlers from Armenia, Russia, Georgia, Ukraine and Iran are attending the event.