Iran's Fatemeh Mohitizadeh suffered a major setback at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi Nagoya, Japan, after she was disqualified from the women's heptathlon following a footwear violation during the long jump event on September 25.
Mohitizadeh had entered the second day of the heptathlon as the leader after producing a strong performance across the four events held on the opening day. She accumulated 3,486 points from the 100 metre hurdles, high jump, shot put and 200 metre events and had established a lead of almost 100 points over the athlete in second place.
The Iranian athlete continued her strong performance in the long jump, the fifth event of the seven event competition. She recorded a best effort of 5.97 metres, which earned her 840 points according to reports from the competition. Her other two jumps were measured at 5.85 metres and 5.91 metres.
However, officials subsequently determined that her footwear did not comply with the applicable competition regulations. Her disqualification was recorded under World Athletics rule TR7.1 with the specific reference TR5.2 concerning shoes.
World Athletics regulations include requirements governing footwear used in athletics competitions. The rules cover approved competition shoes and other technical requirements. World Athletics also states that athletes must verify whether the shoes they intend to use are authorised for competition and that shoe checks can be conducted at events.
Some reports described the incident as Mohitizadeh wearing sprint spikes during the long jump. However, available reporting does not independently establish all details about the footwear model or precisely how the shoes failed the applicable requirements. The official rule reference confirms that the disqualification concerned non compliance with shoe regulations.
The timing of the decision made the incident particularly significant because Mohitizadeh had been in a strong position before the ruling. Her performance during the opening day had placed her at the top of the standings, and she remained among the leading competitors after the long jump before the disqualification was applied.
Mohitizadeh began her heptathlon campaign with the 100 metre hurdles. She clocked 13.64 seconds and collected 1,030 points from the event. She then cleared 1.77 metres in the high jump to add 941 points and moved into first place in the overall standings.
The Iranian athlete followed that performance with a shot put throw of 11.72 metres, which earned her 643 points. She then competed in the 200 metres, recording a time of 25.16 seconds and collecting another 872 points. After four events, she remained one of the leading athletes in the competition.
The heptathlon is one of the most demanding events in athletics because athletes must compete across seven disciplines over two days. The events are the 100 metre hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200 metres, long jump, javelin throw and 800 metres. Points from each discipline are combined to determine the overall standings.
Because Mohitizadeh was disqualified, her performance in the long jump was removed from the competition standings and she could not continue with the remaining events. The decision therefore ended her attempt to compete for a medal at the Asian Games.
The ruling also changed the medal picture in the women's heptathlon. Japan's Yuri Tanaka moved into first place after the long jump and javelin stages, while compatriot Nanaka Kajiki was also among the leading athletes. Reports indicated that the Japanese athletes occupied the top two positions heading into the final 800 metre event.
India also had representation in the women's heptathlon, with Pooja and Anamika Kozhinjaparambil competing in the event. According to reports during the competition, Pooja and Anamika were placed seventh and eighth respectively after the javelin throw, the sixth discipline.
The disqualification demonstrates the importance of technical regulations in athletics competitions. While performance determines an athlete's position on the track or field, athletes must also comply with equipment, footwear and other competition rules. World Athletics specifically notes that some shoe models can be approved for certain disciplines but not others, making footwear compliance an important part of competition preparation.
For Mohitizadeh, the decision brought an abrupt conclusion to what had been a promising Asian Games campaign. She had finished the first day at the top of the heptathlon standings and then recorded a strong long jump performance. The subsequent footwear ruling meant that she could not continue into the javelin throw and 800 metre events.
The incident also highlights the difference between an athlete's performance result and their official competition status. Although Mohitizadeh recorded a 5.97 metre jump, that performance could not remain part of her overall heptathlon result after the disqualification.
The women's heptathlon continued with the remaining competitors completing the javelin throw and preparing for the final 800 metre event. With Mohitizadeh removed from the standings, the remaining athletes had an opportunity to compete for the medals based on their accumulated scores.
The 2026 Asian Games are being held in Aichi Nagoya, Japan, with athletics competitions taking place at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium. The athletics programme includes track and field events involving athletes from across Asia. The women's heptathlon is one of the combined events on the athletics schedule.
Mohitizadeh's disqualification is therefore one of the notable developments from the athletics programme on September 25. Her early lead and strong opening performances had placed her in contention, but the footwear ruling prevented her from completing the seven event competition.
The case also serves as a reminder that athletes and their support teams must check equipment requirements before competing. World Athletics provides a Shoe Checker system for athletes to verify whether competition footwear is authorised, while competitions can also conduct footwear inspections.
For Iran, the result means the country lost one of its leading contenders in the women's heptathlon before the competition reached its final event. For the remaining athletes, the disqualification changed the standings and opened the way for a new medal battle in the concluding stages of the event.
