The fifth week of the Iranian Professional League concluded with no changes in the team standings in either pool.

Naft stayed undefeated in Pool A with its fifth victory in as many dual meets, defeating Isfahan in a closer-than-expected dual meet, 19-12. Sadegh Goudarzi of Isfahan defeated Majid Mohammadi in three periods at 74 kg/163 lbs. for the second straight Isfahan win, but Naft won two of the next three bouts to win.

2000 World University Championships bronze medalist Bahman Tayebi of Naft defeated Majid Bohloli at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. to seal the Naft victory.

In Pool B, Pas stayed in first place with a 24-7 win over Kargaran. Pas was dominant in the dual meet, winning all eight individual bouts. Only two of those even went to a third period.

However, this dual meet was competed with heavy hearts, as the match, being carried live on IRIB3 television, the father of Mehdi Behkar, who competes at 84 kg/185 lbs. for Kargaran, passed away in his home due to a heart attack while watching the match. Bekhar lost the match Pejman Dorostkar in three periods that all ended 1-0. The teams were notified immediately of this tragedy.

Joybar loleh, in second place in Pool A with eight team points, was also dominant this weekend, defeating Tamin Ejtemayi, 24-6, after winning seven of eight bouts.

The lone win for Tamin Ejtemayi came from 2005 World University Games gold medalist Hadi Habibi at 74 kg/163 lbs., as he downed Mohamdbagher Aali in three periods. Joybar loleh received wins from Masoud Vahedi at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., who placed 10th in this year's World Championships, World and Olympic champion Khadsimourad Gatsalov at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. and two-time World champion and Olympic champion David Musulbes at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.

In a battle for fourth place in Pool A, Javanan toppled the Army Team, 19-11, winning the final three bouts to seal the dual win.

In the final dual meet of the week, Mehregan squeezed by Rah Ahan, 14-13, as many of the top wrestlers in the world battled for both squads.

For Mehregan, two-time World bronze medalist Alexander Zakharuk defeated Jalil Jegargosheh, 1-0, 1-0 at 55 kg/121 lbs. Two-time European Championships placewinner Vadim Laliev provided the final win for Mehregan with a 5-3, 2-1 win over Mostafa Yonesinia at 84 kg/185 lbs.

Rah Ahan received individual victories from Vasyl Fedorishin at 60 kg/132 lbs., who placed fourth in the 2004 Olympic Games, and 2005 World bronze medalist Vasily Tismenetzki at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.

Other League Notes:
Seven-time World and Olympic medalist Eldar Kurtanidze will compete next week for Payam Ertebatat…