Reza Layegh, the former secretary of the Wrestling Federation, who also coached the national freestyle wrestling team for many years, told Mehr: “Wrestling had an acceptable performance last year due to coronary conditions and restrictions and the cancellation of some international competitions.” Our kids also got good results at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which were held under the heavy shadow of the Corona, and shortly after the 2021 World Championships in Norway, they also got good results.
He added: “Overall, the results and performance of the ship last year can be considered promising and forward.” In particular, a generation entered the national wrestling arena that went on to plan and support for many years before the juvenile category, and eventually became fertile in the adult category. Some of our young people were able to prove themselves on the world stage and in the Olympics and gain a good position among the great wrestlers of the world.
The former coach of the national freestyle wrestling team attributed many of the national successes to investing in the basic categories of wrestling, and said: Fortunately, we are now witnessing that many families and their children have reconciled with the ship and are being attracted to the sport.
Layegh emphasized on the interaction and cooperation of the Wrestling Federation with the country’s sports authorities and said: “Certainly, the interaction and coordination of all sports factors with each other can lead to progress.” Undoubtedly, Iranian wrestling needs the full support of the Ministry of Sports and the National Olympic Committee, and this support and empathy needs more interaction.
Regarding the latest situation of the team to participate in the Deaflympics, the head coach of the Iranian Deaf Freestyle Wrestling Team said: “In the last two years, due to coronary restrictions and the lack of some special facilities for deaf wrestlers, there were various problems in the national team preparation process.” These shortcomings were gradually eliminated. We recently won an Olympic medal and quota in eight weight classes in the World Deaf Championships, which was a very brilliant and promising result.
Layegh continued: “We have so far held 5 camps in Isfahan and Qazvin for a strong presence in the upcoming arenas, including the Deaflympics, and according to the plan, three more camps are on the agenda.” We have to prepare ourselves for the Deaflympics in Brazil by May 4, and we will hold three more camps by the time we are sent.
The former secretary of the Wrestling Federation said in the end: “As a small member of the big Iranian wrestling family, my heart always beats for the shining of our national team in international arenas and I hope the new year is a successful and good year for our wrestlers.”