Competing in the men’s +87kg division, Aryan Salimi produced one of the tournament’s most dramatic finishes to reclaim continental supremacy. The Iranian heavyweight advanced to the final after overcoming opponents from Malaysia, Kyrgyzstan, and South Korea before facing Uzbekistan’s Murodjon Maulonov in a fiercely contested title bout.
Maulonov edged the opening round on superiority after a 7-7 deadlock, while Salimi responded emphatically to take the second round 6-3 and force a decider. The final round evolved into a breathtaking contest, with the scoreboard locked late in the fight before the Uzbek fighter briefly moved ahead.
With only three seconds remaining and the Asian title slipping away, Salimi delivered a perfectly timed “Neryo Chagi” head kick that stunned both his opponent and the Uzbek corner. The decisive strike secured a dramatic comeback victory and reaffirmed the Iranian’s status as one of the sport’s elite competitors following his Olympic triumph in Paris.
Iran’s celebrations continued when Mehdi Hajimousaei claimed gold in the men’s 63kg category with a commanding display against South Korean star Jun Jang, a reigning world and Olympic champion. Hajimousaei dominated the final from start to finish, sealing victory in straight rounds by scores of 16-7 and 11-3.
The Iranian had earlier defeated opponents from Lebanon, China, and Kazakhstan en route to the championship match, but his emphatic victory over Jun Jang marked one of the biggest wins of his career.
The twin gold medals further strengthened Iran’s position at the Asian Championships and underlined the nation’s growing depth and confidence on the continental stage.
Hossein Amiri - H.Hakimzadeh
