More than 800 wrestlers from all over the world are ready for the big showdown, as the World Wrestling Championship starts in Istanbul on Monday.It looks like Iran had one of those "last minute injuries."
Five Israeli wrestlers have been registered to participate in the world championships, which will start in Istanbul on Monday.
FILA President Raphael Martinetti said the Israeli federation did not contact the world wrestling’s governing body to ask for increased security.
“Israel did not ask for special security,” Martinetti said at a press conference last week. “Sometimes athletes can get last-minute injury reports to rule themselves out when an Iranian is set to meet an Israeli, but I don’t think that will be the case here, since the organization is important for athletes who want to earn an Olympic berth.”
YNet Hebrew reports that Robert Avinshin won when his Iranian opponent Hasam Golmarzeh did not appear.
(h/t Dan)