Heavyweight Greco-Roman Wrestler Bashir Babajanzadeh, who has struck an off draw in the first round of the Asian Wrestling Olympic Qualification Tournament, competed against the Asian champion and world bronze medalist Nurmakhan Tinaliyev of the host country Kazakhstan in the second round.
Babajanzadeh (130kg) conceded a 1-4 defeat against Tinaliyev losing one of his chances to secure a slot at 2016 Rio Olympics.
Iran’s Greco-Roman wrestler Hamid Sourian (59kg) was also defeated by Asian Championship silver medalist Shinobu OTA of Japan 4-7 in the first round while only finalists will be able to snare tickets to Rio Olympics.
Iran’s Greco-Roman representative at 66kg Omid Norouzi as well as the country’s freestyler at 125kg Komeil Ghasemi will compete against rivals on March 20.
The 2016 Asian Qualification Tournament is underway from March 18–20 in Astana of Kazakhstan.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Greco-Roman squad will have two further opportunities to secure places at for wrestling at the 2016 Summer Olympics including the 1st World Qualification Tournament to be held from April 22–24, 2016 Ulaanbaatar of Mongolia as well as the 2nd World Qualification Tournament which will take place on May 6–8, 2016 in Turkey’s Istanbul.
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