World-renowned Mohammad Bana joins Azerbaijan national team

January 12, 2026

A new head coach has been appointed for the Greco-Roman wrestling national team.

The Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation has signed a contract with Mohammad Bana, who has won a total of four Olympic gold medals. Nureddin Rajabov has been appointed as the senior coach of the national team. The coaching staff also includes Rovshan Bayramov, Sabah Sheriati, Bahruz Hazratipur, and Rasul Cazini Dorche.

It should be noted that under Bana’s leadership, the Iranian national team won three gold medals at the London 2012 Olympic Games, setting a new record in Iranian wrestling. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the same team won one gold and one bronze medal. In 2011, Bana was named the world’s best coach by FILA (now UWW) and was awarded the “Courage” order in Iran.

He is considered one of the most successful and respected head coaches in the history of Greco-Roman wrestling worldwide. Bana’s coaching approach is based on principles of systematic training, discipline, tactical thinking, and psychological resilience.