Iran Greco-Roman team claimed the title of the 2019 Cadet World Championships on Sunday night in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Reza Saki from Iran, a 2019 Cadet Asian silver medalist, defeated Russian Stepan Starodubtsev, who was second at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, for the crown at 71 kg.

Starodubtsev led, 1-0, at the break, but just moments into the second period, Saki scored on a four-point arm throw. He held onto the lead for the remainder of the bout, winning gold with a 4-1 victory.

For the title at 51 kg, Saeid Esmaeili used a first-period takedown to give him an eventual 2-1 win over Elmir Aliyev from Azerbaijan. It was both wrestlers’ first World Championships.

To open the night, 2019 Cadet Asian champion Samatbek IZIMGALI (KAZ) spent only 59 seconds on the mat to claim the gold medal at 45 kg, defeating Asadbek BAKHRAMAOV (UZB) by fall.

Iran had previously won two gold medals in the opening day.

Amiireza Dehbozorgi had defeated Ziya Babashov from Azerbaijan 3-1 in the 48kg final bout and Shahrokh Mikaeili emerged victorious over Armenian Razmik Kurdyan in the 110kg final.

Securing two individual champions on Sunday, Iran won the team title with 148 points, followed by Azerbaijan with 123 points and Russia with 99 points. / Tehran times/