Mohammadhossein MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) had to wait until the final bout of the day but it was worth it as he successfully captured the gold medal at the Poland Open Ranking Series event in Warsaw.
The value of this gold medal increased as he also won the right to represent Iran at the Tokyo Olympics after beating two of his compatriots during his title-winning run on Tuesday.
Iran is treating the Poland Open as a selection tournament for the three freestyle and one Greco-Roman weight classes.
At 97kg, Mohammadian captured the spot after he beat Alireza Mohammad KARIMIMACHIANI (IRI) and Ali Khalil SHABANIBENGAR (IRI) with little separation in both the bouts.
“Thank God I was able to win,” Mohammadian said. “This is not the biggest day for me but I am happy.”
Apart from Iran’s selection, the Tokyo seeds were confirmed in three weight classes as the final ranking points for 57kg, 86kg and 97kg were finalized on Tuesday.
57kg
GOLD – Stevan Andria MICIC (SRB) (2-0)
SILVER – Beka BUJIASHVILI (GEO) (1-1)
BRONZE – Makhmudjon SHAVKATOV (UZB) (0-2)
70kg
GOLD – Alec William PANTALEO (USA) df. James GREEN (USA), 5-3
BRONZE – Haji ALIYEV (AZE) df. Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO), 2-1
79kg
GOLD – Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK) df. Rashid KURBANOV (UZB), 2-2
BRONZE – Mateusz KAMPIK (POL) df. Vadim PETRAUSKAS BABUSKIN (LTU), 16- 13
BRONZE – Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) df. Aimar ANDRUSE (EST), 5-2