Iranian runner wins gold at Asian 800-meter event

Iranian runner Sajjad Moradi has snatched the gold medal in the men's 800m run at the 18th Asian Track and Field Championship.

The 26-year-old athlete managed to win the gold medal in 1:48:58, in Guangzhou, China, on Friday.

Kuwaiti and Iraqi runners followed Moradi with 1:48:93 and 1:49:00 records respectively in the contests. Amir Moradi, Sajjad's brother also ranked sixth in the 800 meters.

Sajjad Moradi is an Iranian middle distance runner who specializes in the 800 meters. He has a personal best of 1:44:74, which is also the Iranian national record.

Elsewhere, Hadi Sepehrzad reserved the second title after the Japanese athlete Tanaka Hiromasa in the decathlon category.

Iranian woman athlete Leila Rajabi won the bronze medal in the shot put event in the opening day of the tournament as well.

About 800 athletes and 300 officials and referees from nearly 40 Asian countries and regions have taken part in the event.

The 18th Asian Track and Field Championship began on November 10 in Guangzhou, China, and will continue until November 14.