Iran's Siamand Rahman won gold in the men's +100kg category at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
© • Getty Images
Siamand Rahman of the Islamic Republic of Iran makes a successful lift during the Men's +100 kg Powerlifting at the Paralympics in London
© • getty images
- Related News
- Rahman delivers golden performance
- London 2012: Top 12 performances
- Related Features
- Iran’s Rahman a Force to be Reckoned With at Paralympics
Siamand Rahman became the strongest man in Paralympic history after breaking the world record at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
The 25-year-old Paralympian lifted 290kg – more than the equivalent of two baby elephants.
Rahman’s natural physique and body dimensions have always been suited to powerlifting, and he initially took up the sport after his family and coaches in Oshnaviyeh in Iran’s West Azarbaijan area encouraged him to try it out.
The Iranian began his career supported by his family and coach Ali Asghar in 2008, and he appeared on world stage for the first time at the 2010 IPC Powerlifting World Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where he competed in men’s +100kg and won silver, losing to teammate Karem Rajabi Golojeh.
He set a new world record on his fourth lift, but unfortunately it didn’t count toward his medal performance.
At the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Para Games, he set another world record in the +100kg category, lifting 287.5kg, which was more than enough to get him the gold.
In April 2012, he broke his own record once more, lifting 291kg at a competition in the United Arab Emirates.
During London 2012, he broke the Paralympic record with a lift of 280kg, a mark that previously belonged to Golojeh.
Although he failed to lift more than 300kg, Rahman claims he has hit that mark in training and hopes to continue breaking his own records during the next Paralympic cycle.
