Greco-Roman Wrestler Akhlaghi Takes Gold in Asian Games

Akhlaghi defeated Tsukasa Tsurumaki 5-1 in the final match of the men’s 80 kg at the Dowon Gymnasium.

He grabbed Iran’s 13th gold medal in the games.

“I’m happy but we should have won three gold medals in Greco-Roman wrestling but the referees' decisions went against (Saeid) Abdevali. I hope we win more gold medals tomorrow,” Akhlaghi said.

Iranian athletes had already won 12 gold medals in the games.

Najmeh Khedmati won Iran’s first gold medal in the women's 10m air rifle.

Wushu exponent Mohsen Mohammadseifi also seized a gold medal.

Mohsen Shadi Naghadeh won a gold medal at the men's single sculls race of the rowing.

Mohammad Daneshvar claimed a gold medal in the men's Keirin final.

Super heavyweight weightlifter Behdad Salimi snatched a gold medal.

Archer Esmaeil Ebadi won the gold medal of the compound men's individual.

Reza Yazdani claimed a gold medal in the men's freestyle 97kg.

Masoud Esmaeilpour bagged a gold medal in the men's freestyle 61 kg.

Meisam Mostafa Joukar claimed a gold medal in the men's freestyle 86 kg.

Parviz Hadi won the gold medal in the men's freestyle 125 kg.

Masoud Hajizavareh seized the gold medal in the men -74 kg taekwondo.

And Ehsan Hadadai bagged gold medal in the men’s discus throw.

Some 9,500 athletes from 45 countries are competing at the Games, the world's second-biggest multi-sport event after the summer Olympics, with 439 gold medals in 36 sports up for grabs.

Iran has participated in the games with 276 athletes in 22 sports.