Iran Snatches Team Title from Azerbaijan at U17 Beach Wrestling Worlds

NARDARAN, Azerbaijan (August 27) -- Iran and Azerbaijan each won two gold, one silver and one bronze medal to finish tied on 85 points in the team rankings.

To break the tie, the next-best position was used. Iran had one fourth-place finish, while Azerbaijan did not have a wrestler finish higher than fourth, giving Iran the team title.

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That was the level of competition at the U17 World Beach Wrestling Championships in Nardaran, a town northeast of Baku. The tournament featured 20 countries, with 76 male and 47 female wrestlers competing. By continent, three countries came from Africa, three from the Americas, five from Asia and nine from Europe.

Nihad SULEYMANI (AZE) celebrates after winning the 80kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

In the four men's finals, the 60kg final was an all-Azerbaijan affair, while the 70kg final featured two Iranians. Azerbaijan and Iran split the gold medals at 80kg and 90kg, respectively.

Defending champion Nihad SULEYMANLI (AZE) retained his 80kg title after navigating the new best-of-three knockout format, the group stages and then defeating Reza JALILIAN (IRI), 3-0, in the final.

Suleymanli wrestled seven bouts on Thursday and was never in trouble. In the final, he dropped Jalilian onto the sand while attempting a lift. Leading 1-0, Suleymanli then forced a stepout to take a 2-0 lead. When Jalilian attempted a headlock throw, Suleymanli pushed him away, and the Iranian touched the sand with his knees, giving the Azerbaijani the victory.

"I am a world champion for the second time in a row," Suleymanli said. "We have the Youth Olympics in Senegal, and I will try to win it for Azerbaijan."

Suleymanli has now won U17 European and world gold medals for the second straight year. He is also the U17 European Freestyle champion, having won the 80kg title in Samokov, Bulgaria, earlier this year.

The hosts' second world champion came at 60kg, where Eljan HASANOV (AZE) defeated compatriot Alirza HEYBATLI (AZE), 3-0, in the final. Hasanov scored all three points via stepouts. Like Suleymanli, Hasanov had to compete in the best-of-three knockout format and won both bouts in straight matches.

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According to new Beach Wrestling rules, a knockout to decide participant of the group will be a best-of-three series, changed from the earlier one match knockout.

Iran's first gold medal came at 70kg, where Kiarash TORABI (IRI) defeated compatriot Hooman KALHORI (IRI), 1-0, in the final on a passivity point.

"I'm so happy that I won the gold medal at the World Championships," Torabi said. "I was able to repay [my parents], and I dedicate this medal to my mother and father, who is also my coach and mentor."

Wrestling his compatriot and friend Kalhori was not what Torabi wanted, but there was no other way for him to win the gold medal.

"The final was against Hooman, who is one of my best friends, and it was a good match. I wish him success," he said.

The final match of the championships was between Amirsaleh JAVID (IRI) and Elgun KARIMLI (AZE) at 90kg, with the team title on the line. Javid needed a win to give Iran a chance to win the title, while a gold medal for Karimli would have sealed the team title for Azerbaijan.

Javid needed just 90 seconds to score a 3-0 victory over Karimli, winning the gold medal and putting Iran on 85 points, level with Azerbaijan. However, Ali AREZOU's (IRI) fourth-place finish at 60kg helped Iran clinch the team title.

RESULTS

60kg
GOLD: Eljan HASANOV (AZE) df. Alirza HEYBATLI (AZE), 3-0

BRONZE: Amirali DOMIRKOLAEI (IRI) df. Ali AREZOU (IRI), 4-1

70kg
GOLD: Kiarash TORABI (IRI) df. Hooman KALHORI (IRI), 1-0

BRONZE: Tunar GULIYEV (AZE) df. Bohdan KVANTALIANI (GEO), 2-0

80kg
GOLD: Nihad SULEYMANLI (AZE) df. Reza JALILIAN (IRI), 3-0

BRONZE: Ruslan VALIYEV (AZE) df. Maguette DIOP (SEN), 3-0

90kg
GOLD: Amirsaleh JAVID (IRI) df. Elgun KARIMLI (AZE), 3-0

BRONZE: Amirali AMINI (IRI) df. Ablaye DIOUF (SEN), 3-0