Securing the first gold medal for the Iranian team at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Mohammad Hadi Saravi solidified his status as a dominant force in Greco-Roman wrestling. Competing in the 97 kg weight class, he defeated Artur Aleksanyan with a 4-1 score in the final, marking a significant milestone in his international athletic career.
Early Development in Iran
Born in 1997 in Amol, Saravi spent his early life in Dar Kola as the second child in his family. He began his formal training in the sport in 2012 at the age of 14. His foundational years involved training within grassroots teams under the specific supervision of coach Hassan Hosseinzadeh.
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Saravi transitioned to elite competition in 2019, securing a gold medal in the 87 kg event at the Asian U23 Wrestling Championship in Ulaanbaatar. Later that year, he earned a bronze medal in the 97 kg category at the World U23 Wrestling Championship in Budapest. He also gained experience at the 2019 World Wrestling Championships in Nur-Sultan.
Olympic and World Championship Success
His Olympic journey began with a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games, where he defeated Arvi Savolainen following a loss to Artur Aleksanyan. In 2021, he achieved a major breakthrough by winning gold at the World Wrestling Championships in Oslo, overcoming Nikoloz Kakhelashvili 5-0 in the final. By the 2024 Paris Olympics, he reached the top of the podium after navigating matches against Joe Rau, Uzur Dzhuzupbekov, and Mohamed Gabr. He further extended his record with a gold medal at the 2025 World Wrestling Championships in Zagreb, where he defeated Artur Sargsian 3-1.
Regional and Global Dominance
Beyond the Olympics and World Championships, Saravi has been a consistent performer in regional tournaments. He won the 2020 Asian Wrestling Championships in New Delhi and secured gold at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou by defeating Li Yiming. Additionally, he earned gold at the 2024 Asian Wrestling Championships without conceding a single point, alongside a 2021 victory at the Poland Open in Warsaw.
Fast facts
- Born: 1997, Amol, Iran
- Sport: Greco-Roman Wrestling
- Weight Class: 97 kg
- 2024 Paris Olympics: Gold medal
- 2021 Oslo World Championships: Gold medal
- 2025 Zagreb World Championships: Gold medal
- 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games: Gold medal
Questions readers ask
How many Olympic gold medals has Mohammad Hadi Saravi won?
He won his first Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
When did Saravi start his wrestling career?
He began training seriously in 2012 at the age of 14.
Achievements
- Competed at wrestling at the 2020 Summer Olympics – men's Greco-Roman 97 kg, 2020 Individual Wrestling World Cup – Men's Greco-Roman 97 kg and wrestling at the 2024 Summer Olympics – men's Greco-Roman
- Discipline: wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling
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