Heavyweight, Greco-Roman (≤97 kg), Men

The Iranian Mohammadhadi Saravi sailed smoothly through the first three rounds of the heavyweight division of the Greco-Roman wrestling tournament. He collected a total of 24-1 points, including two victories by superiority to reach the final. Saravi medaled at the last three World championships and took home bronze from the Tokyo Olympics 2020. It should be noted, however, that he avoided fighting any seeded wrestler in Paris, although his unseeded opponent in the semi-final, the Egyptian Mohamed Gabr, had eliminated #2 seed Abubakar Khaslakhanau, an Individual Neutral Athlete from Belarus, who was only 20-years-of-age.

Top seeded Armenian Artur Aleksanyan, nicknamed “White Bear”, had more difficulties on his way to the final, particularly in his semi-final against the Cuban Gabriel Rosillo, also a candidate for one of the medals, and seven years Aleksanyan’s junior. Their semi-final was a re-run of the 2023 World Championship final. There, Rosillo scored a takedown with 20 seconds to go to snatch gold from Aleksanyan. Nevertheless, the Armenian was the dominating athlete in this division over the last decade, winning seven medals at World championships (four gold and three silver) and a complete set of Olympic Medals (gold in 2016, silver in 2020, bronze in 2012).

In the Paris final, Aleksanyan was only able to score one point in the first period. Saravi equalized in the second and was ahead on criteria. When the Armenian tried to score a point to regain the lead, he was counterattacked. Saravi took down his opponent and received two points. He received another point after an unsuccessful challenge, and finally won 4-1.

Rosillo secured the bronze medal when Rustam Assakalov from Uzbekistan was injured less than one minute into the bout. The second bronze medal match, between two unseeded athletes, was decided in favor of Uzur Dzhuzupbekov from Kyrgyzstan, defeating Mohamed Gabr in a tight encounter by 2-1.