We previously reported on a very peculiar happening at the U23 World Championships in Poland.
Wrestling Officials Investigating if Iranian Threw Match to Avoid Israeli
Several news outlets reported that Karimi was directed by his coaches Saturday to intentionally lose because Israel’s Uri Kalashnikov would have been Karimi’s second-round opponent.
UWW said its legal and ethics committees will review the matter in the coming weeks and make recommendations to the organization’s administrating body.
Iranian wrestler Alireza Karimi about to beat Russian, but will have to face Israeli next round. His coach his calling him from the sidelines, telling him to “lose.” Iran forbids its athletes to play Israeli’s. Iranian wrestler gives up. pic.twitter.com/nX9KHaH8Jn
— Thomas Erdbrink (@ThomasErdbrink) November 27, 2017
In one clip, a voice – allegedly Karimi-Machiani’s trainer, can be heard saying “lose Alireza”, as the Iranian is winning. The trainer then stops the match to speak privately with the wrestler who then loses the match 3-14.
Now the officials have reached a conclusion.
UWW reports:
The chamber found that Karimachiani, on instruction of his coach Jamshidi, willfully lost his 1/8 finals match against Alikhan ZHABRILOV (RUS). Both wrestler and coach were found to have acted in direct violation of the International Wrestling Rules (Article 15) and the UWW Disciplinary Regulations (Articles 3, 7.2, 9.2).
Karimachiani is banned from competition six months from the date of infraction and eligible to compete on May 23, 2018. Coach Jamshidi is banned for two years and eligible to coach on November 23, 2019.
