WRESTLING: He might be the lone Australian wrestler at the 2012 London Olympic Games but Farzad Tarash will be far from lonely as he prepares to take on the world.

Tarash, 25, fronted a packed media conference this morning alongside Chef de Mission Nick Green and Federal Minister for Sport Kate Lundy, where he spoke of a rigorous Games preparation in his native Iran.

The under-66 kilogram freestyle wrestler has kept his friends close, but his enemies closer, in the lead-up to the Games, training with the top-rated Iranian team at their base at Azadi Stadium in Tehran.

Tarash said the professionalism of the Iranians was beneficial for his build-up, but saved particular mention for five-time Greco-Roman world champion Hamid Sourian, who he says is a close mentor.

“He’s one of the greatest Greco-Roman wrestlers in history,” Tarash said.

“We’re two different disciplines but mentally it’s really good to get tips from him.

“I’ve talked to him a few times and he’s been able to tell me how to perform on the big stage.”

Tarash said he’d catch up with the Iranian team when they arrive in the Olympic Village, but that he wouldn’t be short of company while he prepares for his competition day.

The Melbournian is close friends with judo team member Carli Renzi and has kept in touch with friends in the gymnastics and swimming teams he competed alongside at the 2010 Dehli Commonwealth Games.

“I’ve known Carli pretty much since I was a kid...when she started wrestling I was 13 years-of-age,” Tarash said.

“We both made the Dehli Commonwealth Games team and we were very close in the team.

“Then she went on to qualify for the Olympics in judo and I went on to qualify for wrestling.

”It’s unfortunate not to have any other wrestlers in the Australian team but in the meantime I’ll be hanging around the other Australian athletes in judo, swimming and gymnastics.

“I’m here to compete, and that’s what I’m going to do.”

Tarash faces another challenge in having to wait until the second last day of the Games – Sunday 12 August – to compete.

“In some ways it’s bad because it’s right at the end but in another way it gives you a lot of time to prepare,” Tarash said.

“I’ll be making sure I keep my weight down, watch my diet, and in the process get out and watch a few sports and support the Aussies.

“I’ve been trying to avoid the dining hall - you won’t see me there in the second week!”

Doug MacDougall in London

Olympics.com.au