Mohammad Rahbari, who won individual and team bronze medals in fencing at the Asian Games in Hangzhou three years ago, will now return to the continental tournament in a new role. After concluding his fencing career following the Paris Olympics, Rahbari joined the coaching staff of the Iranian national sabre team and is preparing to debut as a coach at the Asian Games in Nagoya.
The former national sabre fencer believes that Iran has overcome a difficult period after the Olympics and is now in a strong position to compete for a medal at the 2026 Asian Games.
Speaking about his team's preparation, Rahbari noted significant progress made by the players in recent months. He reported that despite some issues and disagreements recently, most of these matters have been resolved. This has contributed to an improved training process, making the athletes more prepared than ever for the Asian Games.
Rahbari emphasized that training camps held in Italy and Ankara also played an important role in the team's preparation. He stated that the team is in good shape and ready to contend for a medal in Nagoya, noting that the combination of these programs and the improved atmosphere allowed them to reach this stage without internal disputes and with increased confidence.
Assessment of Competition at the Asian Games
The national team coach acknowledged the high level of competition at the Asian level, pointing to the depth and quality of several leading fencing nations. He stressed that the Asian Games are highly significant for every Asian country, and fencing is particularly competitive on this continent, as many Asian states rank among the world leaders in this discipline, promising very intense battles.
Nevertheless, Rahbari expresses confidence in Iran's realistic chances of reaching the podium. He does not claim that a spot on the podium is reserved for Iran, but based on the current technical and mental condition of the players, he is quite optimistic about achieving this goal.
In the men's sabre competition in Nagoya, Iran will be represented by Ali Pakdaman, Mohammad Fotouhi, Nima Zakeri, and Taha Kargarpour. Iran is expected to face serious challenges from South Korea, Japan, China, and Uzbekistan. Rahbari noted that South Korea has always been a traditional rival, while Japan, China, and Uzbekistan are also main opponents. He paid special attention to Japan, which has recently caused problems for Iranian fencers, adding that problems arise not only for Iran but also for South Korea against Japan.