The Lion King of Iranian Wrestling

Hassan Yazdani is one of the greatest freestyle wrestlers of his generation. Born in a small town in northern Iran, he rose to become an Olympic and world champion. Known as "The Greatest" and "The Lion King," Yazdani has won medals at every major tournament. His fierce rivalries, especially with American wrestler David Taylor, have made him a legend on the mat.

📖 Level 1 - Beginner:

Hassan Yazdani is a wrestler from Iran. He was born in 1994. People call him "The Lion King." He won a gold medal at the 2016 Olympics. He also won silver medals in 2020 and 2024. Yazdani became world champion three times. He is very strong and fast. His favorite move is the underhook. He uses it to throw his opponents. His biggest rival is David Taylor from the USA. They have fought many times. Fans love watching them compete. Yazdani is a hero in his country.

📖 Level 2 – Intermediate:

Hassan Yazdani, born in Juybar, Iran in 1994, is one of the most successful freestyle wrestlers in history. Nicknamed "The Greatest" and "The Lion King," he won his first Olympic gold medal at the 2016 Rio Games in the 74kg category. He later moved up to 86kg, where he won silver medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2024 Paris Olympics. Yazdani has also claimed three World Championship titles (2017, 2019, 2021). His wrestling style is known for powerful underhooks, double-leg takedowns, and relentless pressure. His biggest rival is American wrestler David Taylor. They have faced each other several times, with Taylor winning most of their matches. However, Yazdani defeated Taylor at the 2021 World Championships to reclaim his throne. Despite injuries and tough losses, Yazdani continues to compete. In 2026, he moved up to 97kg to chase new challenges. He is widely considered Iran's greatest wrestler of all time.

📖 Level 3 – Advanced:

Hassan Yazdani Charati, born December 26, 1994, in the wrestling-rich province of Mazandaran, Iran, has cemented his legacy as one of freestyle wrestling's all-time greats. Nicknamed "The Greatest" and "The Lion King" by Iranian fans, Yazdani burst onto the international stage by capturing Olympic gold at the 2016 Rio Games in the 74kg division . Demonstrating remarkable versatility, he moved up to 86kg, where he secured World Championship titles in 2017, 2019, and 2021 . He added Olympic silver medals at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 to his illustrious resume. Yazdani's technical arsenal revolves around a relentless underhook attack, explosive knee taps, and a distinctive double-leg finish—attributes that exploit his lanky 1.81-meter frame . His enduring rivalry with American David Taylor has defined the 86kg weight class for years. Despite trailing 1–5 in their head-to-head series, Yazdani's lone victory came in the 2021 World Championship final, a match that avenged his Olympic final loss earlier that year . Battling through multiple shoulder surgeries, Yazdani continues to reinvent himself. In 2026, he made the ambitious jump to 97kg, signaling his pursuit of a fifth Olympic medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Games . With eight world and Olympic medals, Yazdani stands as the most decorated Iranian wrestler in history .