Karam Gaber appointed head coach of Iraq’s national wrestling team

The Iraqi Olympic Committee has appointed Egyptian Olympic champion Karam Gaber as coach of Iraq’s national wrestling team.

A contract was signed on Sunday in the presence of Iraqi Olympic Committee president Aqeel Muftin, executive office member Harda Raouf and secretary-general Haitham Abdul Hamid.

The committee said Gaber would take charge of the national team as part of a policy aimed at strengthening Iraq’s sporting federations through the appointment of leading Arab and international coaches.

“Under the patronage of the president of the Iraqi National Olympic Committee, Aqeel Muftin, and in the presence of executive office member Harda Raouf and secretary-general Haitham Abdul Hamid, the committee signed a contract today, Sunday, with Egyptian Olympic champion Karam Gaber to coach Iraq’s national wrestling team,” the statement said.

Muftin welcomed Gaber and wished him success in his new role with the Iraqi Wrestling Federation.

He also stressed the committee’s commitment to supporting national sports federations by recruiting distinguished coaching expertise from Arab countries and abroad. He underlined the importance of cooperation between the wrestling federation and Gaber, saying that joint efforts would be needed to fulfil the coach’s responsibilities and establish a strong base of young talent.

Gaber said he was pleased by the confidence placed in him and promised to use all his experience to improve the standard and results of Iraqi wrestlers.

The appointment follows Gaber’s announcement in August 2024 that he intended to move into coaching.

Gaber is regarded as the most successful Egyptian athlete in Olympic history after winning two medals at different Games. He claimed gold in Athens in 2004 before returning to win silver at London 2012.

Away from his competitive career, Gaber previously founded his own wrestling academy, Al Jaber Academy, in Alexandria. The academy was established to train new generations in wrestling technique and discipline.

He recently worked as a coach with Hassan Madani, who went on to win a title at the 2026 World Masters Wrestling Championships.