Iran’s Fatemeh Mohitizadeh suffered a dramatic setback at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya after being disqualified from the women’s heptathlon following a protest over her footwear during the long jump event on Friday.Mohitizadeh had emerged as one of the leading contenders after the opening day, finishing with 3,486 points and holding a lead of almost 100 points over the athlete in second place. However, her campaign came to an abrupt end after she was reportedly found to have worn her sprint spikes for the long jump.The Iranian athlete was disqualified under TR7.1 [TR5.2] [S1] World Athletics rule, relating to non-compliance with footwear regulations.
Mohitizadeh’s impressive campaign ends abruptly
The long jump was the fifth event of the heptathlon and Mohitizadeh had been in third place after completing the first four disciplines.She began strongly in the 100m hurdles, clocking 13.64 seconds to collect 1,030 points. She then moved to the top of the standings after clearing 1.77m in the high jump, earning 941 points.Asian Games Full Coverage | Medal Tally | ScheduleMohitizadeh subsequently recorded 11.72m in the shot put for 643 points, dropping to second place before the 200m. She clocked 25.16 seconds in that event to add 872 points and remained third after four events.Her disqualification during the long jump therefore brought an end to a promising campaign after she had positioned herself among the leading athletes in the competition.Under World Athletics’ technical regulations, athletes are required to comply with prescribed footwear requirements, including rules governing approved shoes, sole thickness and spikes. The cited rule code in Mohitizadeh’s disqualification relates to footwear compliance.
Iran’s Fatemeh Mohitizadeh (Reuters Photo)
Two Indians continue heptathlon campaign
India have two competitors in the women’s heptathlon — Pooja and Anamika Kozhinjaparambil.After the completion of the javelin throw, the sixth event of the seven-discipline competition, Pooja and Anamika were placed seventh and eighth respectively.The heptathlon consists of the 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200m, long jump, javelin throw and 800m. Athletes accumulate points across all seven events, with the highest overall score determining the winner.Mohitizadeh’s disqualification has significantly altered the standings in an event where she had entered the second day as the leader. The remaining competitors will now battle for the podium in the concluding events of the heptathlon.
