TEHRAN - Four Iranian wushu athletes advanced to the finals of the 2026 Asian Games in Japan on Wednesday after overcoming their opponents in their respective semifinal bouts.
In the women’s 52 kg sanda category, Sogand Sinkaei secured her spot in the final by defeating Hong Kong’s Chan Ching in straight rounds (2-0). Sinkaei, who had previously eliminated contenders from India and Vietnam, will face China’s Wu Di for the gold medal on Thursday morning.
In the men’s 65 kg division, Shoja Panahi defeated Vietnam’s Nguyen Khac Hien 2-0 in the semifinals. Having already beaten rivals from Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, Panahi will square off against China’s Cheng Jin for the gold medal on Thursday morning.
In the men’s 70 kg category, Erfan Moharrami dominated Kazakhstan’s Alizhan Ablagatov, securing a decisive victory by technical superiority in the opening round. Moharrami, who previously dispatched opponents from Hong Kong and South Korea, is scheduled to fight Ma Shuo of China in the final on Thursday morning.
In the men’s 75 kg division, Soheil Mousavi capped off Iran’s dominant semifinal run by defeating Uzbekistan’s Turgunbaev on point superiority, becoming Iran’s fourth wushu finalist of the day. Mousavi, who earlier defeated athletes from India and South Korea, will face a fighter from Kazakhstan in the gold-medal match on Thursday morning.