Why it matters:
Zandi’s victory marks Iran’s first men’s taekwondo gold at the World Championship in 10 years — a major achievement that reaffirms the country’s standing among the global elite in martial arts.
The big picture:
Zandi defeated Kosovo’s representative in the opening round before overcoming an Italian opponent in the quarterfinals.
In the semifinals, he defeated a Chinese contender in two rounds to advance to the final.
In the gold medal match, Zandi triumphed 2–0 over Georgii Gurtsev of Russia, who competed under a neutral flag.
Key points:
Zandi’s gold medal adds to Iran’s expanding roster of international sports triumphs in 2025, following notable victories in wrestling and weightlifting.
Iran has long been recognized as one of the powerhouses of taekwondo in Asia and the world, with a record of World Championship and Olympic medals.
The victory is expected to inspire a new generation of Iranian athletes ahead of next year’s Asian Games.
Go deeper:
The World Taekwondo Championships in Wuxi gathered top athletes from more than 100 countries.
Iran’s participation came amid growing support for national sports programs aimed at nurturing young talent despite economic sanctions and logistical challenges.
Mojtaba Darabi - seyed mohammad kazemi
