Ambitious Iran Look to Grapple Their Way to Jakarta Success
HONG KONG (Dispatches) - Iran's delegation arrived at Jakarta's Asian Games with eyes set firmly on a move back into the continent's leading quartet of sporting nations.
Iran's upward trajectory since the 2002 Busan Games stalled at Incheon four years ago when they finished fifth on the medal table but Iranian officials are confident of another push forward in Indonesia.
"Iran has improved a lot in the previous editions," chef de mission Nasrollah Sajjadi told local media.
"There is still room for improvement but the countries, namely Kazakhstan, India, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) have also improved in the recent years."
Combat sports provided the bulk of the country’s 57-medal haul in 2014, with the wrestling powerhouse taking six golds and 12 medals in total in the men's events.
Hassan Yazdani made a step up in weight class following his gold medal win at the Rio Olympics but still claimed the world championship in Paris last year, marking him favorite to win the 86kg division in freestyle wrestling.
In Incheon, Iran took seven medals, including four gold, in taekwondo, while karate provided another three golds and five medals in all. The delegation will hope for similar returns in Jakarta.
Sport climbing, introduced for the Jakarta Games ahead of its 2020 Olympic debut in Tokyo, could also yield gold for Iran in the speed climbing event, where fireman Reza Alipour holds the world record.
The Iranians are also Asian Games champions in the men's volleyball and have a strong legacy in men's soccer, having won gold on four occasions. Zlatko Kranjcar's footballers will look to end a drought that extends back to 2002.
Sajjadi said Iran would be content with a return to the top four, tipping Japan to finish second behind dominant China.
Meanwhile, Iranian national handball team overpowered Malaysia in the 18th Asian Games which is underway in Jakarta and Palembang.
The opening ceremony of the event will be held on August 18, but football, basketball, handball and water polo competition will get underway sooner.
Iranian handball team is in the same group with Malaysia and Qatar.
Qatar overpowered Malaysia 64-11.
After defeating Malaysia, Iranian squad is now in the second place.
The Asian Games, also known as Asiad, is a continental multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia. The Games were regulated by the Asian Games.
Iran's upward trajectory since the 2002 Busan Games stalled at Incheon four years ago when they finished fifth on the medal table but Iranian officials are confident of another push forward in Indonesia.
"Iran has improved a lot in the previous editions," chef de mission Nasrollah Sajjadi told local media.
"There is still room for improvement but the countries, namely Kazakhstan, India, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) have also improved in the recent years."
Combat sports provided the bulk of the country’s 57-medal haul in 2014, with the wrestling powerhouse taking six golds and 12 medals in total in the men's events.
Hassan Yazdani made a step up in weight class following his gold medal win at the Rio Olympics but still claimed the world championship in Paris last year, marking him favorite to win the 86kg division in freestyle wrestling.
In Incheon, Iran took seven medals, including four gold, in taekwondo, while karate provided another three golds and five medals in all. The delegation will hope for similar returns in Jakarta.
Sport climbing, introduced for the Jakarta Games ahead of its 2020 Olympic debut in Tokyo, could also yield gold for Iran in the speed climbing event, where fireman Reza Alipour holds the world record.
The Iranians are also Asian Games champions in the men's volleyball and have a strong legacy in men's soccer, having won gold on four occasions. Zlatko Kranjcar's footballers will look to end a drought that extends back to 2002.
Sajjadi said Iran would be content with a return to the top four, tipping Japan to finish second behind dominant China.
Meanwhile, Iranian national handball team overpowered Malaysia in the 18th Asian Games which is underway in Jakarta and Palembang.
The opening ceremony of the event will be held on August 18, but football, basketball, handball and water polo competition will get underway sooner.
Iranian handball team is in the same group with Malaysia and Qatar.
Qatar overpowered Malaysia 64-11.
After defeating Malaysia, Iranian squad is now in the second place.
The Asian Games, also known as Asiad, is a continental multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia. The Games were regulated by the Asian Games.