Fardin HEDAYATI of Iran makes his senior World Championships debut at 130kg in Astana and will be the favorite to win the gold medal.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan (October 16) -- For two decades, the Greco-Roman 130kg gold medal at the World Championships and Olympic Games has largely been a two-man affair. Mijaín LOPEZ (CUB) and Riza KAYAALP (TUR) have ruled the heavyweight division, claiming 14 of the 24 titles contested. Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) emerged as the only wrestler to break their duopoly twice, winning world titles in 2023 and 2025.
But a new force is ready to challenge the established order -- Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI).
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Long before Mirzazadeh established himself at the top, Hedayati was already making waves in Iran and dominating the age-group ranks internationally. Now, after collecting titles at the age-group and continental levels, the highly touted Iranian heavyweight is ready for his World Championships debut in Astana, Kazakhstan.
He defeated Mirzazadeh to make the Iran team and has a victory over Kayaalp, and anything short of gold in Astana will be a disappointment.
A bully on the mat, Hedayati moves with remarkable speed for a 130kg wrestler. An improved par terre defense has helped him win two U23 world titles. With two years remaining before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, a gold in Astana would strengthen his credentials as a serious contender for Olympic glory.
He will have to work hard for the medal though. Kayaalp returns to the World Championships after a three-year absence. In April, he claimed a record-shattering 13th European title, but his triumph came amid controversy after Pavel HLINCHUK (BLR) was disqualified from the match for aggressive wrestling. Hlinchuk had given the Turkish heavyweight a difficult contest before his disqualification, and a rematch in Astana would offer the Belarusian an opportunity to prove he can challenge Kayaalp.
Another veteran in the mix is Sergei SEMENOV (RUS), who missed out on a medal at the 2025 World Championships and returns in search of his second world title. Then there is Wenhao JIANG (CHN), who stunned the field last week in Las Vegas by becoming China's first U23 world champion in Greco-Roman. That breakthrough makes him another name to watch in Astana.
Defending champion Hadi SARAVI (IRI) arrives in Astana as the man to beat at 97kg. The Paris Olympic champion reclaimed the world title in Zagreb last year, defeating Artur SARGSIAN (RUS) in the final to secure his second world crown. Another gold would further cement Saravi's place among the division's elite.
But Sargsian, who has now lost twice to Saravi, will be looking to change that result from last year. He will be joined by returning bronze medalists Kiryl MASKEVICH (BLR) and Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE) in challenging Saravi.
Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) has also shown that the 97kg field is beatable. The Cuban stunned both Saravi and Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) on his way to the 2023 world title and remains capable of going all the way. But his quarterfinal loss to Maskevich in Zagreb last year, after conceding a four-point counter, was a reminder of how quickly momentum can shift at this level.
Kiril MILOV (BUL) also returns to the World Championships, intent on adding a world title to his collection of two silver medals.
The Chasing 87kg Gold documentary offered a glimpse into the grit and resilience required to become a world champion. Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) will need plenty of both as he returns to Astana to defend his title in a division packed with proven contenders.
Komarov stunned Alireza MOHMADI (IRI) in last year's final, rallying to claim a dramatic 4-3 victory and deny the Iranian Olympic silver medalist his first senior world title. Mohmadi will be back with unfinished business, eager to turn the tables and make another run at gold. Olympic champion Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) adds another major threat to Komarov's title defense.
With European champion Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) absent, the medal chances increase for the rest of the field. Milad ALIRZAEV (RUS) and Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) are among those capable of mounting a serious podium challenge.
Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) followed his Olympic triumph with a world title, and he now returns with the challenge of defending his crown. Standing in his way is a familiar rival, Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE), as the two prepare to renew their battle at 67kg.
Esmaeili defeated Jafarov in last year's World Championships final, and their rivalry has continued to deliver drama. Their latest meeting at the Islamic Solidarity Games saw Jafarov falter in the closing seconds, allowing Esmaeili to snatch victory once again. The Azerbaijani will be eager to turn the tide when another world title is at stake.
Jafarov has European titles and world and Olympic medals to his name, but the senior world crown has remained elusive. Luis ORTA (CUB) denied him before Esmaeili took over, and Jafarov will be determined to finally complete his collection.
Orta, meanwhile, will be chasing a second world title, while Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) arrives with ambitions of his own. The former 63kg world champion has moved up to 67kg and will look to carry his success into the new weight class. However, he faces a stern test against the likes of Jafarov, Orta and Esmaeili. At the Budapest Ranking Series, Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) exposed vulnerabilities in Khalmakhanov's game, pinning the Uzbek in a one-sided bout.
Katsuaki ENDO (JPN) and Asian champion Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) will also be looking to break into the medal race, adding further depth to a division where the defending champion has no shortage of challengers.
Reigning world champion Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) heads to Astana chasing his third world title, having established himself as one of the most complete wrestlers in the sport. At last year's World Championships, he defeated Olympic champion Nao KUSAKA (JPN) to claim gold in a performance that left little room for doubt about his class.
Amoyan will once again be the man to beat, with few appearing better equipped to disrupt his title defense. Asian champion Ali OSKOU (IRI) and age-group world champion Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) headline the challengers hoping to upset the Armenian's bid for another gold.
Former world champion Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) is up at 77kg, adding another experienced contender to the mix. Sergei KUTUZOV (RUS), meanwhile, will be looking to spring a surprise and pull off a heist in Astana.
Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI) returns to 82kg after a difficult year at 87kg. Since winning the world title, the Iranian has struggled to replicate that success at senior level, missing out on gold at both the Asian Championships and the Asian Games. A return to his title-winning weight class, however, could offer him a fresh start as he looks to defend his crown.
Standing in his way is former world champion Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ), who will be among the leading contenders for gold. Asian champion Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (QAT) will also fancy his chances of making history by securing Qatar's first medal at the World Championships in Greco-Roman wrestling.
Gurban GURBANOV (AZE), meanwhile, will be eager to put last year's disappointment behind him. The European champion has the credentials to challenge for a medal.
Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) will have the home crowd behind him in Astana, but competing at home brings both expectations and pressure. His dramatic gold-medal run in Zagreb last year saw him beat Alisher GANIEV (UZB) in the final.
Ganiev, meanwhile, returns with unfinished business. The Asian Games silver medalist will have a chance to avenge his defeat to Sultangali and claim his first world title.
Iran will be counting on Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI), who missed out on a medal last year and will be eager to make amends. Koto GOMI (JPN), a U23 world champion, brings his big-throwing game but it remains to be seen if he can impose that attacking style at the senior level.
European champion Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) is another contender capable of disrupting the established order.
With Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) moving up to 67kg, the 63kg division is guaranteed to crown a new world champion in Astana. Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE), the 2024 world champion at this weight, will fancy his chances of reclaiming the crown and adding a second world title to his collection. Asian champion Aftandil TAALAIBEK UULU (KGZ) and former European champion Kerem KAMAL (TUR) will also be eyeing their first senior world titles.
Former world champion Sergey EMELIN (RUS) brings considerable experience to the field as he targets another gold. He narrowly missed out last year, losing on criteria, but remains a serious contender.
Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) will be looking to upgrade the bronze medal he won last year, while Kaisei TANABE (JPN), an Asian Championships bronze medalist, will also have his sights set on the podium. For Tanabe, a medal would be an important first step towards an ambitious Greco-Roman and Freestyle double in Astana.
After collecting silver medals at several major competitions, Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE) finally broke through for gold in Zagreb. Now, the defending champion will be out to prove that his triumph was no fluke.
Danial SOHRABI (IRI) stands out as a major threat. After settling for bronze last year, the Iranian will return hungry to upgrade his medal and challenge Ganizade for the title.
Parviz NASIBOV (UKR), a two-time Olympic silver medalist, also returns to the World Championships in pursuit of a milestone of his own -- his first senior world medal.
Vakhtang LOLUA (GEO) and Payam AHMADI (IRI) produced one of the most thrilling finals in 2025, with the Georgian snatching victory. Both teenagers will return looking to prove that their breakthrough was no flash in the pan.
Standing in their way is veteran Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE), who lost to Ahmadi last year and will be eager to reclaim his place at the top of the division. With the emerging stars threatening to take over, Azizli will be determined to remind them that experience still counts for plenty on the biggest stage.
Emin SEFERSHAEV (RUS) and Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB) could also emerge as dark horses in a division where the battle begins even before the wrestlers step on the mat. At 55kg, making weight is a challenge in itself.
