Mohammad Talaei and Alireza Dabir, the two medal hopefuls of Iran, lost their first bouts in the 2003 World Freestyle Wrestling Championships in Madison Square Garden, New York, on Friday, IRNA reported.

In 60 kg category, Iranian captain Talaei was beaten by a US wrestler 2-1.

Representing the country in 66 kg, Dabir was stunned as he lost to his Bulgarian rival.

Dabir was the winner seconds to the normal time but the bout was leveled and the Bulgarian wrestler defeated Dabir 4-2.

Iran's 84 kg wrestler Majid Khodaei was stunned in the second round of 2003 World Freestyle Wrestling Championships, losing to Sanderson from the United States 8-2 on Saturday.

The world bronze medalist in 2002, Khodaei, was beaten by the US wrestler 6-2 in the first three minutes and 8-2 in the normal time. Majid Khodaei had no challenge in the first round.

In another second-round bout, Hadi Habibi of Iran overcame Joe Williams from the United States.

The Iranian 74 kg wrestler who fell behind 1-0 in the normal time fought back to defeat Williams 3-1 in the extra time in Madison Square Garden.

In first round matches, Iran's 55 kg wrestler Mohammad Aslani managed to overcome his Chinese opponent 5-4.

Hadi Habibi, representative of Iran in 74 kg, handed his Venezuelan rival a humiliating defeat as he won 10-0 on technical fall after 04.10 minutes.

Alireza Heidari of Iran crushed a Lithuanian participant 10-0 in 96 kg bout in 04.57 minutes.

In 120 kg, the Iranian heavyweight wrestler Alireza Rezaei routed his Swiss opponent 10-0 on technical fall in 05.06 minutes. Iran won the coveted gold in the 2002 world event held in Tehran.

Iran's Habibi beats Williams in world bout

Hadi Habibi of Iran overcame Joe Williams from the United States in the second round of 2003 World Freestyle Wrestling Championships on Saturday.

The Iranian 74 kg wrestler who fell behind 1-0 in the normal time fought back to defeat Williams 3-1 in the extra time in Madison Square Garden.