Iran crowns sacrificing wrestler for not facing Israel

An Iranian wrestler has been paid respect for sparing gold in order not to face an athlete from the occupying Israel in a show of solidarity with the Palestinian nation.

Alireza Karimi-Mashiani threw an international bout when he was ahead because winning would have meant fighting an opponent from Israel.

Iran has praised the wrestler for his “noble and heroic action” and called him “a source of pride and praise.”

Iranian wrestling federation too called him a hero and extolled his sacrifice in the path of the Palestinian cause.

Karimi-Mashiani’s bout was in the Polish city of Bydgoszcz on Saturday, in the 86-kilo category of the under-23 world championships.