TEHRAN – In a rare gesture of goodwill, members of the U.S. freestyle wrestling team shook hands with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Friday after finishing third in a tournament.
Iran and the U.S. have found a common ground in wrestling lately after the sport was kicked out of the Olympics, with both countries intent on seeing it restored to the program.
Iran won the freestyle wrestling World Cup on Friday after beating Russia 6-1 in the final, with the Americans finishing third after defeating Belarus by the same score. Ahmadinejad then attended the awards ceremony, shaking hands with some members of the U.S. team and posing for pictures.
Iran’s public sports broadcaster showed parts of the ceremony live.