The International Judo Federation is sad to inform that yesterday, July 15 2009, a Caspian Airlines’ jet crashed soon after taking off from Iran’s capital city, Teheran.
The aircraft was completely destroyed and there are no hopes for finding survivors. Among the 168 victims, there was the Iranian Youth National Team, accompanied by the head coach andone coach, as well as by one official delegate.
The team was heading to Yerevan, Armeniawhere a training camp was scheduled in order to prepare for the Cadet World Championships about to take place in Budapest, August 6-9.
As it can be seen in the photograph below, the members of the team were: Alireza Lashkari (16 years old), Yahya Bagherppor (17 years old), Ali Bahrami (head coach42), Ali Moades (coach 38), Mosayeb Azizolahi (capitain 16), Mostafa Sabaghi (17), Saees Rassouli (16), Hossein Banon (16), Iman Zaynivand Nejad (16), Vahid Ebrahimi (15 and youngest member), Ali Amiri (official-30).
The International Judo Federation extends its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased, as well as to the Iranian Judo Federation and the Iranian Olympic Committee.
“We are all shocked at this tragedy and I feel deeply saddened by this terrible loss. The International Judo Family would like to assure the families and all those affected by the tragedy, of its entire support.” Marius L. Vizer, IJF President
May they rest in peace!