Taekwondoka Saina Karimi Snatches Gold Medal

Islamic Games: Iranian Athletes Add to Medal Tally

Date: 16 November 2025 - 21:40

News ID: ۱۴۵۸۶۵

TEHRAN – Iranian female taekwondoka Saina Karimi has received a gold medal at the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games which is underway in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The first day of the taekwondo competitions at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games brought home one gold and two bronze medals for Iranian taekwondo fighters.

In the men’s -54 kg category, Amir Muhammad Nasir Ahmadi was defeated by his Saudi opponent.

However, Nasir Ahmadi advanced to the repechage round but was overpowered by his Turkish rival and eliminated from the competition.

In the men’s -74 kg category, Ali Khoshroo first defeated Mohammed Al-Houti from Bahrain but then lost to Najmiddin Kosimkhojiev, the world champion from Uzbekistan.

He competed against Javad Aghayev from Azerbaijan and earned the bronze medal.

In the women’s -57 kg category, Hasti Muhammadi won her first match against a competitor from Kyrgyzstan but then lost to Hatice Kubra Ilgun from Turkey.

She also defeated an opponent from Uzbekistan, achieving a valuable victory to claim the bronze medal.

In the women’s -46 kg category, Saina Karimi secured wins over competitors from Kazakhstan, Turkey, and Niger, advancing to the final.

In the gold medal match, she faced Minaya Akbarova from Azerbaijan and won in two straight rounds, securing the first gold medal for the Iranian taekwondo team in Riyadh.

Men’s Handball

Team Downs

Maldives

– The national men’s handball team of Iran defeated Maldives 57-14 at the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG) on Sunday.

Iran, who had lost to Qatar 39-23 in Group A, will play the UAE on Tuesday.

Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq and Saudi Arabia are in Group B.

The Iranian women’s national handball team also secured their advancement to the semifinals after claiming their second victory of the tournament. The team defeated Guinea with a final score of 23-21, confirming their place in the final four of the competition.

The 6th Islamic Solidarity Games, known as Riyadh 2025, are an inter-continental multi-sport event organized by the Islamic Solidarity Sports Association (ISSA), held from November 7 to 21 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The event has brought together more than 3,000 athletes from 57 nations, competing across 25 sports in pursuit of glory at one of the Islamic world’s premier multi-sport events.

Wushu Athletes

Advance to

Semifinals

- Iran’s Wushu athletes delivered a clean sweep in their Sanda (fighting) bouts, with all three male representatives advancing to the quarterfinals by winning their respective matches 2-0.

In the 60kg weight class, Amirhussein Hemmati defeated Berkay Ozan of Turkey.

Erfan Moharrami secured his quarterfinal spot in the 70kg category by overcoming Marwan Mohamed Kandil of Egypt.

Finally, Farbud Taleshi advanced in the 85kg division after defeating Ayit Khanov Ibrahim from Uzbekistan.

Rezaei Ranks Fourth in

Duathlon Event

-In the Men’s Duathlon event (5km run, 20km cycle, 2.5km run), Iranian athletes narrowly missed the podium.

Muhammad Amir Rezaei finished his race in fourth place, just shy of a medal. Muhammad Sadr Amin finished closely behind him in fifth place, while Farid Hadipour finished tenth.