Iranian karate star Atousa Golshadnezad has been selected to be one of the flag bearers for the Iranian delegation at the upcoming Asian Games 2026, which will be held in Nagoya. She expressed hope that she can combine the honor of representing her country at the opening ceremony with winning a gold medal.
Golshadnezad stated that it is a great honor for her to carry the Iranian flag at such a prestigious event, and she expressed hope for outstanding results from the entire delegation at the Games. The karateka, who became a historic figure last year by winning Iran's first medal at the Women's World Karate Championships, thanked the Ministry of Sport and the National Olympic Committee for choosing her as the Iranian flag bearer.
She emphasized that her goal is not only to proudly carry the banner but also to achieve the best possible medal for her country, thereby delighting the Iranian people. Golshadnezad reported that the team is currently in full fighting readiness, conducting training camps under the guidance of head coach Pegah Zanneneh. She is confident that they will reach peak form by the time the Asian Games begin.
The current Asian champion also expressed confidence before the start of the competitions, noting that she has thoroughly studied her opponents and fully understands their strengths and fighting styles. Previously, the Iranian karateka missed this year's Asian Championships due to injury, but she has now fully recovered after medical observation. Her motivation to return to competitive sports has increased after the injury.
Regarding preparation, Golshadnezad revealed that the team has a tournament planned in Turkey as a warm-up event next month, although participation will depend on the final decision of the Iranian Karate Federation. She added that there are no problems in the training camp right now, and everything is going according to plan. The 20th Asian Games will take place in Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 3, 2026.
The Iranian National Olympic Committee has officially announced the selection of national flag bearers for the 2026 Asian Games. The athletes appointed are Atousa Golshadzadeh, the current world karate champion, and Fazel Atrachali, captain of the national kabaddi team.
This decision was approved at a meeting of the 66th Executive Council of the National Olympic Committee, which took place on Tuesday. Golshadzadeh and Atrachali will lead the Iranian delegation during the opening ceremony, which will be held in Nagoya.
This selection marks a historical milestone, as athletes from karate and kabaddi disciplines will carry the Iranian flag at the Asian Games for the first time. Previously, this honor was usually bestowed upon athletes from sports such as wrestling, weightlifting, football, shooting, basketball, and taekwondo.
The XX Asian Games will take place in Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 3, 2026. Iran plans to participate in the competitions with a delegation of 308 athletes in various disciplines.
