Iran claimed their fifth consecutive United World Wrestling Freestyle World Cup title after beating Russia 5-3 in the gold medal match at The Forum in Los Angeles ©UWW/Tony Rotundo

Iran claimed their fifth consecutive United World Wrestling (UWW) Freestyle World Cup title after beating Russia 5-3 in the gold medal match at The Forum in Los Angeles.

Having earlier beaten hosts the United States on criteria in the Group B decider, Iran set about wrapping up the successful defence of their title with a win for Hassan Rahimi at 57 kilograms.

The four-time world medallist trailed late in his match against European champion Gadzhimurad Rashidov before registering a takedown in the final 20 seconds to make the score 3-3 and ultimately give him the victory on criteria.

Russia appeared to be on their way to levelling the score as Viktor Rassadin built a 6-3 lead on Masoud Mahmoud Esmaeilpoorjouybari in the second period of their 61kg bout, but the Iranian quickly turned the tables and powered to a 12-6 victory.

The European giants didn’t have to wait much longer though for their first win with 2013 world bronze medallist Magomed Kurbanaliev earning a controlled 4-1 victory over Meysam Abolfazl Nasiri at 65kg.

Iran then reeled off successive wins as Asian champion Mostafa Mohabbali Hosseinkhani defeated Khalil Aminov 10-1 at 70kg and Hassan Aliazam Yazdanicharati, a world silver medallist and past junior world champion, earned a 13-4 technical fall over 2014 world champion Khetik Tcabolov at 74kg.

In response, Russia picked up a much-needed win at 86kg as European champion Shamil Kudiiamagomedov, ranked number two in the world, defeated world bronze medallist and junior world champion Alireza Mohammad Karimimachiani 6-3.

Masoud Mahmoud Esmaeilpoorjouybari helped Iran to victory by beating Russia's Viktor Rassadin at 61kg
Masoud Mahmoud Esmaeilpoorjouybari helped Iran to victory by beating Russia's Viktor Rassadin at 61kg ©UWW/Tony Rotundo

With Iran leading 4-2, Russia’s Abdusalam Gadisov, a 2014 world champion and 2015 silver medallist, cruised to a 10-3 victory over Amir Mohsen Mohammadi at 97kg to keep his country’s hopes alive with one match remaining.

The final encounter pitted Iran's Komeil Nemat Ghasemi against Russia's Muradin Kushkhov at 125kg with the former taking an early 1-0 lead before the latter secured a second-period takedown to move 2-1 ahead.

Ghasemi soon responded with a takedown of his own, handing him the advantage and eventually a decisive 3-2 victory to the delight of a deafening, pro-Iranian crowd.

Georgia, runners-up to Russia in Group A, placed third in the competition by edging the US 4-4 on criteria.

Azerbaijan finished fifth with a 5-3 victory over Mongolia, while India came seventh after beating Turkey 4-3.