An Olympic medical official speaks with match officials following repeated bleeding stoppages for Russia’s Aniuar Geduev during his final against Iran’s Hassan Yazdani. In a dramatic finish, Yazdani came back to win Olympic gold on criteria, with the match ending 6–6.

A candid moment outside the wrestling venue at Rio 2016. A young Hassan Yazdani, competing at 74 kg, shares a relaxed moment with Iran’s head coach Rasoul Khadem and coach Ali Akbar Doodangeh, shortly before winning his first Olympic gold. Captured before Yazdani became one of Iran’s most celebrated wrestling stars and a national sporting icon, this photograph offers a glimpse of the people and moments behind his remarkable journey.

Reza Yazdani, known as the “Leopard of Juybar,” during the Rio 2016 Olympics. A two-time world champion and one of Iran’s leading hopes for gold at 97 kg, Yazdani faced another Olympic disappointment after a controversial defeat to Azerbaijan’s Khetag Gazyumov. Despite his remarkable career and popularity in Iran, an Olympic medal remained just beyond his reach.

A candid portrait of Hassan Rahimi outside the wrestling venue at Rio 2016. A former world champion and one of Iran’s strongest hopes for Olympic gold at 57 kg, Rahimi saw his title ambitions end in the semifinals against Japan’s emerging star Rei Higuchi. He went on to secure bronze, adding an Olympic medal to his remarkable career. His determined expression captures the focus and intensity of a wrestler carrying great expectations.

A historic moment from the final seconds of the women’s 75 kg freestyle final at Rio 2016. Canada’s Erica Wiebe faces Kazakhstan’s Guzel Manyurova on her way to a 6–0 victory, securing Canada’s first Olympic wrestling gold since 2008. It would remain Wiebe’s only Olympic medal and the greatest achievement of a career that never included a senior World Championship title.