'Had the world at his feet': Olympic champion, 18, killed in shocking accident

Youth Olympics gold medallist Navid Mohammadi has died in a car crash.

He was just 18.

The World Karate Federation has confirmed the promising young star died after the accident in his home city of Tehran, Iran.

Mohammadi won gold in the boys' over-68kg event at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires.

Local media reports claim the 18-year-old was driving alone and that speed was a factor.

No one else was injured in the crash.

Mohammadi also won a number of national titles and was runner-up in the male junior over-76kg category at the 2018 Asian Karate Federation Cadet, Junior and U21s Championships in Japan.

The WKF said: "At 18 years old, Navid Mohammadi was one of the most promising karatekas in the world.

"The young karate enthusiast made history for the sport when he won the gold medal in the category of male kumite over-68kg in the first appearance of karate at the Youth Olympic Games."

IOC President Thomas Bach said: “Navid Mohammadi was a young and very promising athlete and it is tragic to see him taken from us in this way.”

“After winning Gold at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires he had the world at his feet and it is very sad that he will not have a chance to build on such promise.

“Our thoughts are with his family and with his friends at this time and I am sure that everyone in the Olympic Movement will join me in offering their sincere condolences.”