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Iranian gymnasts debut at Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships

Xinhua, April 1, 2016 Adjust font size:

Iranian gymnasts Sasan Abbasi and Ahad Mohammadi performed on Friday at the 25th FIG Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships, representing the country' s first show on this stage.

No matter where they rank at this event in Putian, China, from April 1st to 3rd, Abbasi and Mohammadi' s presence has became an important page in Iranian history. Gymnasts from Iran have never before competed at a World Championships in Acrobatic Gymnastics.

"It's a beautiful sport!" said 20-year-old Mohammadi who used to do Artistic Gymnastics. Five years ago, he saw Acro on TV and decided to quit Artistic and turn to Acrobatic.

Iranian delegation is very much welcomed and attracts much attention when they show up.

"I have learned a lot here from the other gymnasts," Mohammadi said. "And their coaches have even given me some advice. In the future I will be 100 percent better than I am now."

Gymnastics is not a popular sport in Iran and the country has been largely absent from World Championship competition in Gymnastics for the past several years.

"This is our first time here. We don't expect any medals this time," said Rachman Golzar, coach of the men' s pair, "We are coming to see the championships, to participate, and to see all the teams. We are coming here for the future." Endit