Saravi Shines at Asian Championship: Expresses Satisfaction with Stellar Performance
Iranian Greco-Roman wrestler Mohammad Hadi Saravi has made headlines with his impressive performance at the 2025 Asian Wrestling Championship held in Amman, Jordan. Competing for the first time since the Olympics in Paris, Saravi showcased his dominance in the 97 kg Greco-Roman category, clinching the gold medal with an overwhelming victory over Japan’s Yuri Nakazato, a bronze medalist from the 2023 world U23 championships.
“This is my first official appearance after the Olympic Games,” Saravi expressed. “Thank God I was able to put on a good performance and win the gold medal.”
In the final match, Saravi quickly established his superiority. Here’s a breakdown of his performance:
- **Scoring Moves:** Saravi executed a roll against Nakazato, demonstrating technical prowess and agility.
- **Takedown Strategy:** He performed an arm drag takedown, leading to a commanding 5-0 lead.
- **Challenging Calls:** Just seconds into the second period, Saravi managed to secure another takedown, which was challenged by the Japanese side but ultimately upheld.
Saravi achieved victory at the 3:08 mark of the match, marking his third technical fall in three matches without conceding a single point. “After the Olympics, I suffered a knee injury, but thankfully, I’m in much better condition now,” he reflected. “Over the past two or three months, I’ve been able to train at the camp under the supervision of the national team, and I’ve reached a decent level of readiness and felt good.”
The 27-year-old athlete has a remarkable track record, including a bronze medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Notably, he has not lost a match since his semifinals defeat to Cuba’s Gabriel Rossilo at the 2023 World Championships. His impressive streak includes:
- **Top-Three Finishes:** Saravi has finished in the top three of every competition he has entered since the 2019 World Championships.
- **World Gold:** A world championship gold medal in 2021.
- **Asian Gold:** An Asian championship gold medal in 2020.
Looking ahead, Saravi is eager to reignite his rivalry with Artur Aleksanyan, a four-time Olympic medalist from Armenia, whom he defeated in the final in Paris. “Artur Aleksanyan is a great wrestler and someone I have a lot of respect for,” Saravi acknowledged. “I see it as motivation for myself to face him several times in the coming years.”
He expressed hope for Aleksanyan’s success in the European Championships, anticipating a thrilling matchup at the upcoming World Championships. “I hope Aleksanyan can achieve the best results in the European Championships, and that we can put on a great match together at the World Championships so that the fans can enjoy it,” Saravi added.
As Saravi prepares for future competitions, he aims to achieve full readiness for the World Championships, where he hopes to deliver a strong performance. His commitment to excellence and competitive spirit continues to inspire wrestling fans around the globe.
