Azimi Wins Gold for Iran, Mesenbrink Strikes First for USA
Photo Credit: United World Wrestling
The 2025 U23 World Wrestling Championships in Novi Sad, Serbia, continued to deliver world-class action as Iran’s Mohammad Mobin Azimi and USA’s Alex Mesenbrink captured gold medals in the freestyle competition.
In the 74kg category, American standout Alex Mesenbrink dominated the final, defeating Muhammed Ozmus of Turkey 12–2 to claim the first gold medal of the U23 World Championships. Japan’s Yoshinosuke Aoyagi, the 2025 senior world champion at 70kg, bounced back from his semifinal loss to win bronze after an 8–2 victory over India’s Parvinder. The other bronze went to Manuel Wagen of Germany, who overcame Azerbaijan’s Magomed Khaniev 8–4.
Meanwhile, in the 92kg category, Mohammad Mobin Azimi of Iran put together an outstanding performance to capture the U23 world title, defeating Mohammad Khaniev of Russia 5–3 in the final. Azimi’s path to gold included wins over opponents from Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, the United States, and Ukraine.
Photo Credit: United World Wrestling
The bronze medals in this weight class went to Sherzod Puyonov of Uzbekistan, who beat Ivan Chornoz (Ukraine) 11–1, and Magomed Sheripov of Bahrain, who shut out On Demian (Moldova) 10–0.
With these results, the United States opened the tournament with a gold medal, while Iran continued its dominance in upper weight categories through Azimi’s remarkable run in Novi Sad.