Iran’s top sport figures and teams from the past year, selected through a nationwide public vote, were honored at the “Iran Champion” ceremony attended by President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Iran
NOC; Tehran: The “Iran Champion” awards ceremony was held at the Summit
Conference Hall with the participation of President Pezeshkian, Sports and
Youth Minister Donyamali, NOC President Mahmoud Khosravi Vafa, Paralympic
Committee President Ghafoor Karagari, senior IRIB officials, federation officials,
and prominent athletes and sport personalities. The event also paid tribute to
the memory of the Minab schoolchildren and other Iranian champions who have
passed away. Organizers used symbolic school backpacks as part of the
commemoration, while the President and the Sports Minister signed a jersey
bearing the number 168, referencing the Minab school martyrs.
Addressing
the ceremony, the President of IRIB highlighted that public participation in
the voting process rose from 7.5 million last years to 10 million this year,
describing the program as an example of the national broadcaster’s mission to
reflect the people’s voice and invite citizens to serve as the final judges. A
“lasting moment” segment highlighting iconic scenes from Iranian sport was also
featured, including the national volleyball team’s military salute following
the outbreak of the 12-day war, which drew applause from attendees.
Winners
announced across categories included the men’s national Futsal team as the top
team and the Wrestling Federation as the best federation. Mobina Nematzadeh (Taekwondo)
was named “Champion of Tomorrow,” while freestyle wrestling head coach Pejman
Dorostkar received the top coach award.
In
Paralympic categories, Ali-Akbar Gharibshahi was named top male athlete and
Hajar Safarzadeh top female athlete. Zahra Kiani (Wushu) was honored as Iran’s
Sportswoman of the Year, and freestyle wrestler Amirhossein Zare’ was named
Iran’s Sportsman of the Year.
Other
awards included Best Goal for Mehdi Taremi’s strike against Uzbekistan,
recognition for Mazandaran as the Leading Provincial Sports and Youth Directorate,
and the Sports Integrity Award for veteran football figure Behrouz Rahbarifard.