[PARIS 2024] Iran to Compete with 40 Athletes at Olympics | Going For Gold in Paris

SAEDNEWS: The 2024 Summer Olympics will begin on July 26 and end on August 11 .Iran will send a total of 40 athletes to the Paris Olympics.

Iran’s strongest medal prospects lie in weightlifting, taekwondo, and wrestling.

Hasan Yazdani in wrestling has a good chance of winning, especially with the retirement of his American rival, David Taylor.

Nahid Kiani in taekwondo is a strong contender and is looking to avenge her defeat from four years ago against Kimia Alizadeh.

The VMT Gracenote research group has predicted that Iran will win 9 medals in total, including 4 gold medals, at the Paris Olympics.

They base their predictions on recent international competition results, performance analysis, athlete preparation, and historical data.

Gracenote’s prediction of 9 medals (4 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze) for Iran seems optimistic but is based on solid data.

Iran’s previous performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics resulted in 3 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze medals, placing Iran 27th overall.

Gracenote predicts a similar ranking for Iran at the Paris Olympics.

The Iranian sports caravan is smaller this year, with only 40 athletes across 14 sports fields after 21 months of competitions.

Hasan Yazdani: No More David Taylor

Hasan Yazdani, a prominent figure in Iranian wrestling, is now seen as a strong contender for the gold medal in the 86 kg category at the Paris Olympics.

This optimism comes following the retirement of his long-time rival, David Taylor.

After returning to competition at an international event in Georgia, Yazdani demonstrated that his recovery from shoulder surgery was successful.

In the 86 kg weight category, Yazdani boasts a good record, having secured 12 gold medals in various international competitions, including the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Despite his loss to Taylor in the Tokyo Olympics, which left him with a silver medal, Yazdani’s chances have significantly improved with Taylor no longer in the picture.

Amir Hossein Zare: Iran’s Most Promising Athlete in Paris

Amir Hossein Zare, competing in the 125 kg freestyle wrestling category, is widely regarded as Iran’s best hope for a gold medal.

Zare’s prowess in the wrestling world has been highlighted by his unique moves and championship displays.

Since debuting in the senior category in 2020, Zare has consistently performed at a high level.

He won his first senior medal at the World Championship in Oslo, followed by a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

In subsequent competitions, including the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou and the Belgrade World Championships, Zare secured two gold medals.

Nahid Kiani: The Most Hopeful Iranian Female Athlete

While Iran’s overall chances for gold in the Paris Olympics appear limited on paper, Nahid Kiani in taekwondo is a standout contender.

Kiani, who competes in the 57 kg weight category, lost to her former training partner, Kimia Alizadeh, in the Tokyo Olympics.

This defeat and her low-key return to Iran drew significant attention on social media.

Despite this setback, Kiyani has since captured multiple titles, including two Asian Games championships, a victory in the Islamic Countries Games, and a gold medal at the Baku Championship.

Her consistent performance positions her as a medal hopeful in Paris, and there is even potential for another showdown with Alizadeh.

Other Medal Contenders

Mohammad Hadi Saravi: Competing in the 97 kg weight category in Greco-Roman wrestling, Saravi is a consistent performer with a knack for winning bronze medals on the world stage and gold in Asian competitions. His achievements include:

Ali Davoudi, a 25-year-old weightlifter in the +109 kg category, is another strong medal contender.

Davoudi secured a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics and earned his spot for Paris by winning bronze at the 2023 World Championship in Saudi Arabia.

His performance in Paris will be closely watched as Iran has historically excelled in weightlifting.