Iran wraps up Riyadh’s Islamic Solidarity Games with 81 medals

Iran has wrapped up a commanding campaign at the sixth Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, closing the 20-day multi-sport event with 81 medals and reaffirming its status as one of the strongest contenders in the Muslim world’s premier athletic showcase.

The games officially ran from November 6 to 21, with some competitions beginning early on November 3. Hosted by Saudi Arabia’s capital, the event brought together athletes from across the Islamic world in a tightly scheduled, medal-heavy calendar.

Competing under the banner “Ambassadors of Strength” and the slogan “Iran’s Hope,” Iran’s 190-member squad entered 20 disciplines and delivered a balanced haul: 29 gold, 19 silver, and 33 bronze medals, securing third place overall.

Neck-and-neck with Uzbekistan

Turkey topped the medals table, while the battle for second place came down to a razor-thin margin between Iran and Uzbekistan.

Both countries claimed 29 golds, but Uzbekistan edged ahead thanks to a higher number of silvers. Iran’s gold-medal tally was all the more significant given the shrinking number of events in this edition – only 270 gold medals were available, down from 379 in Konya in 2021.

Statistically, Iran captured 10.74% of all gold medals, marking a noticeable rise from its 10.29% share in Konya. Despite a smaller field of opportunities, Iran not only matched its 2021 gold count, but improved its proportional dominance – a testament to the delegation’s efficiency and depth.

In Konya 2021, Iran earned 29 golds and finished third, trailing Uzbekistan’s 51. Based on that edition’s ratios, matching the previous performance in Riyadh would have required roughly 28 gold medals. Iran exceeded that threshold and once again clinched 29, showing consistency across both games, while competing in a more condensed medal landscape.

Iran’s women’s national handball team earned a historic bronze, the country’s first-ever medal in women’s handball at the Islamic Solidarity Games and the first in any official international tournament. The podium finish marked one of the emotional high points of Iran’s presence in Riyadh.

Opening-ceremony flag bearers Maryam Barbod (judo) and Alireza Moeini (weightlifting) set the tone. Barbod captured Iran’s first medal, a bronze, while Moeini delivered two silvers and a bronze, adding crucial early momentum.

Iran’s medal campaign was bookended by two powerful performances.

Samiar Abdoli claimed Iran’s first gold in the swimming events early in the Games.

On the final day, heavyweight freestyle wrestler Amirhossein Zare’ secured the last gold, sealing Iran’s position near the top of the table.

With 81 medals and a performance trend pointing upward, Iran’s athletes left Riyadh with renewed confidence and clear signs of growth.

Matching their Konya gold count, and improving their percentage share despite fewer medal opportunities, underscored the strength of the country’s new generation of competitors.

Iran now turns its attention to upcoming regional and global events, aiming to build on the momentum generated in Riyadh and move one step further up the table in the next edition of the games.

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