Dr. Mahdi Alinejad, Secretary-General of the National Olympic Committee, visited the national Greco-Roman wrestling training camp ahead of the World Championships in Croatia, meeting with athletes and the technical staff.
Iran NOC; Tehran: During the
visit, Head Coach Hassan Rangraz provided a report on training camps, friendly
matches, and upcoming competitions. He noted: “This is a very strong team, and
we can finally break the ten-year spell of not standing on the top podium.
Despite strong rivals such as Azerbaijan, Georgia, Serbia, and Hungary, we will
go into this championship with full strength and determination”.
Addressing the wrestlers, Dr.
Alinejad underlined the unique place of wrestling in Iran: “We consider
wrestling the number one sport of our country, and this has been proven in
action. The difference in the federation’s budget compared to other sports, as
well as the increase in scholarships and athlete stipends, shows our special
attention to wrestling”. He further praised Coach Rangraz’s leadership: “With
his technical and professional vision, Rangraz has brought stability and
progress to Greco-Roman wrestling. In my opinion, he is one of the most
valuable coaches in the world”.
Dr. Alinejad also reminded the
athletes of the importance of persistence: “Winning a medal is hard, but
keeping it is even harder. Those who have risen from junior to senior level
know the value of this achievement. By giving your full effort on the mat, you
will not only achieve results but also bring joy to the people and strengthen
national pride”.