Asian Games: Behnam Asbaghi Wins Iran’s 16th Gold

Asbaghi defeated Jiannan Huang from China 5-4 at the Ganghwa Dolmens Gymnasium.

“I’ve come here to win the gold medal because a gold medal in the Asian Games is more valuable than 50 silver medals,” Asbaghi said.

“From now, I will concentrate on Mexico Olympics qualification and World Cup. I dedicate my medal to my parents,” he added.

Iranian athletes had already won 15 gold medals in the games.

Najmeh Khedmati won Iran’s first gold medal in the women's 10 m 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 97 kg.

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.

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

Habibollah Akhlaghi won the gold medal in the men’s Greco-Roman 80 kg.

Mahdi Aliyari clinched the gold medal in the men’s Greco-Roman 98 kg.

And Mahdi Khodabakhshi snatched the gold medal in the -68 kg taekwondo.

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.