SAEDNEWS: Mohammad Hadi Saravi defeated his Armenian opponent and former Olympic and world champion Artur Aleksanyan in the finals of Greco-Roman 97kg at the Paris Olympics to win the first gold medal for Iran.
According to SAEDNEWS, In an impressive display of resilience and skill, Saravi bounced back from an early 0-1 deficit to dominate his opponent with a convincing 4-1 victory on Wednesday. This win secured his place in the finals and showcased his determination in a challenging match.
Just a day earlier, Saravi showcased his prowess in the 97-kg category with a commanding 6-0 win over Egypt's Mohamed Gabr, sending him into the finals with confidence.
His journey to this point was marked by a series of strong performances. In the opening round, Saravi overwhelmed Joseph Rau from the United States with an impressive 10-1 victory. He continued his dominance in the quarterfinals, where he easily defeated Kyrgyzstan's Uzur Dzhuzupbekov with a flawless 8-0 scoreline, ensuring his advancement to the semi-finals.
Saravi brings a wealth of experience to the mat, having previously won a gold medal in the 97-kg category at the 2021 World Wrestling Championships in Oslo, Norway. He also earned a bronze medal in the same category at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
With Saravi’s latest triumph, he has played a crucial role in helping Iran ascend to the 40th position in the Olympic rankings. Alongside him, Iranian athletes have also secured two bronze medals, thanks to the efforts of taekwondo champion Mobina Nematzadeh and Greco-Roman wrestler Amin Mirzazadeh. This collective success highlights the strength and potential of Iranian competitors on the world stage.