Freestyle wrestling: Korea to keep hold over IR Iran?

Three freestyle wrestling gold medals are up for grabs for the grapplers on the penultimate day of Doha 2006 wrestling, with IR Iran having a competitor in each of the finals as they go in search of their first wrestling gold of the Games.

The Iranians were frustrated on Sunday, losing in four Greco-Roman men's finals as Korea took four of the six gold and China and Kazakhstan also won an event.

But IR Iran will try to wrestle back the initiative in Wednesday evening's finals but Korea stand in their way again.

First up will be the 60kg contest between Song Jae Myung and Seyed Morad Mohammedi Pahnehkalaei. The Korean is the favourite and is looking to go one better than the silver he won in Busan four years ago. At 32 years of age it is probably his last chance of Asian Games glory.

Korea and IR Iran part two will be the 74kg final between IR Iran's world championship silver medallist AliAsghar Bazrighaleh and reigning Asian Games champion Cho Byung Kwan of Korea.

The 26 year-old Iranian was especially impressive on his way to the last two dropping just a single point which was in his semifinal against Soslan Tigiev of Uzbekistan. Cho was not at his best but still cruised through his three morning bouts.

Pressure will be mounting on AliReza Heidari if IR Iran are still without a gold by the time he comes to the mat in the third and last final of the day, the 96kg division decider.

The Olympic bronze medallist from Athens and reining Asian Games Champion should have the drop on Uzbekistan's Oleg Kallagov but both had equally impressive routes to the final so Heidari will have to be on his guard.

15th Asian Games, Doha 2006