1. Overview
Alireza Heidari (علیرضا حیدریPersian) is a retired Iranian freestyle wrestler. Born on March 4, 1976, in Tehran, he achieved significant international recognition throughout his career, including an Olympic bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Heidari is also a World Champion, having won a gold medal in 1998, three silver medals, and one bronze medal across various World Championships. His dominance in Asia is marked by three consecutive gold medals at the Asian Games and four gold medals at the Asian Wrestling Championships. His contributions to Iranian sports were recognized when he was named the 1999 National Sportsman of the Year.
2. Early Life and Background
Alireza Heidari was born on March 4, 1976, in Tehran, Iran. He grew up with a family that included a sister and three brothers. Standing at 73 in (186 cm), Heidari developed a physique well-suited for wrestling early in his life.
3. Wrestling Career
Alireza Heidari's career as a freestyle wrestler saw him compete across several weight categories, including 82 kg, 85 kg, 96 kg, and 97 kg. His competitive journey began in the mid-1990s, quickly establishing him as a formidable force in both Asian and international wrestling circuits. His career was marked by consistent medal-winning performances at major championships, demonstrating his skill and resilience on the mat. He retired after a distinguished career that spanned over a decade, culminating in an Olympic medal.
3.1. Major Achievements
Heidari's career is highlighted by an impressive collection of medals from the most prestigious international wrestling competitions. His achievements include an Olympic medal, multiple World Championship medals, and numerous Asian titles, showcasing his consistent performance at the highest levels of the sport.
3.1.1. Olympic Games
Heidari competed in two Summer Olympics.
- At the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, he competed in the 97 kg freestyle event, finishing in 6th place.
- His most notable Olympic achievement came at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, where he secured a bronze medal in the Men's Freestyle 96 kg category.
3.1.2. World Championships
Alireza Heidari was a consistent medalist at the World Wrestling Championships, earning five medals throughout his career:
- He won a gold medal at the 1998 World Wrestling Championships held in Tehran, Iran, competing in the 85 kg category.
- He earned silver medals in three consecutive World Championships: the 1999 World Wrestling Championships in Ankara, Turkey (97 kg), the 2002 World Wrestling Championships in Tehran, Iran (96 kg), and the 2003 World Wrestling Championships in New York City, United States (96 kg).
- His first World Championship medal was a bronze medal at the 1997 World Wrestling Championships in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, in the 85 kg category.
3.1.3. Asian Games
Heidari achieved remarkable success at the Asian Games, winning three consecutive gold medals:
- He secured a gold medal at the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand, in the 85 kg freestyle event.
- He followed this with another gold medal at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea, competing in the 96 kg category.
- His third consecutive gold medal came at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, also in the 96 kg category.
3.1.4. Asian Championships
Heidari also demonstrated strong performances at the Asian Wrestling Championships, securing five medals:
- He won four gold medals at the Asian Championships: 1997 Asian Wrestling Championships in Tehran, Iran (85 kg), 1999 Asian Wrestling Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan (97 kg), 2001 Asian Wrestling Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (97 kg), and 2003 Asian Wrestling Championships in New Delhi, India (96 kg).
- He earned a bronze medal at the 1996 Asian Wrestling Championships in Xiaoshan, China, in the 82 kg category.
3.2. Detailed Competitive Record
Alireza Heidari's career is marked by numerous matches against top international competitors. The following table provides a detailed breakdown of his results in major international tournaments.
| 1997 World Championship / Krasnoyarsk, Russia / Bronze medal / 85 kg | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Win | Round 1 | Christos Alexandridis (Greece) | 6-0 |
| Loss | Round 2 | Les Gutches (United States) | 0-3 |
| Win | Repechage 1 | Yang Hyung-mo (South Korea) | 1-0 |
| Win | Repechage 2 | André Backhaus (Germany) | 8-2 |
| Win | Repechage 3 | Nicolae Ghiță (Romania) | 6-1, Fall |
| Win | Repechage 4 | Yoel Romero (Cuba) | 3-1 |
| Win | Bronze medal match | Khadzhimurad Magomedov (Russia) | 5-1 |
| 1998 World Championship / Tehran, Iran / Gold medal / 85 kg | |||
| Win | Round 1 | Gary Holmes (Canada) | 9-0 |
| Win | Round 2 | Tatsuo Kawai (Japan) | 4-2 |
| Win | Round 3 | Yang Hyung-mo (South Korea) | 1-0 |
| Win | Semifinals | Yoel Romero (Cuba) | 2-1 |
| Win | Final | Magomed Ibragimov (North Macedonia) | 4-0 |
| 1999 World Championship / Ankara, Turkey / Silver medal / 97 kg | |||
| Win | Preliminary round | Dan Karabin (Czech Republic) | 10-0 |
| Win | Preliminary round | Kim Kil-soo (South Korea) | 7-0 |
| Win | Round of 16 | Vadim Tasoyev (Ukraine) | 2-0 |
| Win | Quarterfinals | Davud Magomedov (Azerbaijan) | 5-0 |
| Win | Semifinals | Marek Garmulewicz (Poland) | 3-0 |
| Loss | Final | Sagid Murtazaliev (Russia) | 3-4 |
| 2000 Summer Olympics / Sydney, Australia / 6th place / 97 kg | |||
| Win | Preliminary round | Rolf Scherrer (Switzerland) | 7-1 |
| Win | Preliminary round | Ahmet Doğu (Turkey) | 6-1 |
| Loss | Quarterfinals | Eldar Kurtanidze (Georgia) | 0-1 |
| Loss | 5th place match | Aftantil Xanthopoulos (Greece) | Walkover |
| 2001 World Championship / Sofia, Bulgaria / 16th place / 97 kg | |||
| Win | Preliminary round | Rolf Scherrer (Switzerland) | 6-1 |
| Loss | Preliminary round | Giorgi Gogshelidze (Russia) | 1-4, Fall |
| 2002 World Championship / Tehran, Iran / Silver medal / 96 kg | |||
| Win | Preliminary round | Sofian Abdul-Lateef (Iraq) | 11-0 |
| Win | Preliminary round | Chen Dakuan (China) | 11-0 |
| Win | Preliminary round | Rolf Scherrer (Switzerland) | 3-0 |
| Win | Semifinals | Vadim Tasoyev (Ukraine) | 3-0 |
| Loss | Final | Eldar Kurtanidze (Georgia) | 1-2 |
| 2003 World Championship / New York City, United States / Silver medal / 96 kg | |||
| Win | Preliminary round | Igors Samušonoks (Latvia) | 10-0 |
| Win | Preliminary round | George Torchinava (Netherlands) | 10-0 |
| Win | Round of 16 | Aleksandr Shemarov (Belarus) | 6-6 |
| Win | Quarterfinals | Daniel Cormier (United States) | 6-3 |
| Win | Semifinals | Krasimir Kochev (Bulgaria) | 3-1 |
| Loss | Final | Eldar Kurtanidze (Georgia) | 0-4 |
| 2004 Summer Olympics / Athens, Greece / Bronze medal / 96 kg | |||
| Win | Preliminary round | Eldar Kurtanidze (Georgia) | 3-2 |
| Win | Preliminary round | Antoine Jaoude (Brazil) | 10-0 |
| Win | Quarterfinals | Rustam Aghayev (Azerbaijan) | 5-0 |
| Loss | Semifinals | Magomed Ibragimov (Uzbekistan) | 4-6 |
| Win | Bronze medal match | Daniel Cormier (United States) | 3-2 |
| 2006 World Championship / Guangzhou, China / 5th place / 96 kg | |||
| Win | Round of 32 | Daniel Cormier (United States) | 2-1 (2-0, 0-1, 7-0) |
| Loss | Round of 16 | Giorgi Gogshelidze (Georgia) | 1-2 (0-2, 1-0, 0-1) |
| Win | Repechage 1 | Norbert Bödör (Slovakia) | Walkover |
| Win | Repechage 2 | Aleksey Krupnyakov (Kyrgyzstan) | 2-0 (1-1, 2-1) |
| Loss | Bronze medal match | Ruslan Sheikhau (Belarus) | 1-2 (1-0, 0-1, 1-1) |
4. Post-Retirement Activities
Following his retirement from professional wrestling, Alireza Heidari transitioned into the business sector. Notably, he acquired a mine that employs approximately 800 employees. This venture marks a significant shift from his athletic career to a role as an entrepreneur.
5. Awards and Honors
Beyond his numerous medals, Alireza Heidari received formal recognition for his athletic excellence in Iran. In 1999, he was honored with the prestigious title of "National Sportsman of the Year," an acknowledgment of his outstanding achievements and contributions to Iranian sports.
6. Legacy and Impact
Alireza Heidari stands as one of Iran's most accomplished freestyle wrestlers. His consistent success at major international competitions, including an Olympic medal, a World Championship gold, and multiple Asian titles, solidified his place as a prominent figure in the sport. His achievements have inspired many aspiring wrestlers in Iran and contributed significantly to the country's strong reputation in international wrestling. He is remembered for his competitive spirit and his remarkable record on the global stage.