Iranian powerlifters steal spotlight in Kuala Lumpur

Japan and Iran jumped ahead of Malaysia to take the top two spots in the medal standings at the Asian Youth Para Games. 29 Oct 2013
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Mohsen Bakhtiar and Ali Seifi

Iran's Mohsen Bakhtiar and Ali Seifi pose with their medals at the Asian Youth Para Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

ⒸAsian Paralympic Committee
By Asian Paralympic Committee

“Through powerlifting, I am able to represent my nation. I felt proud when I saw my country’s flag flying high today.”

Disabled since birth, Iranian powerlifter Mohsen Bakhtiar says his condition has never stopped him from wanting to succeed in life.

The 15-year-old certainly proved that on Monday (28 October), when he bagged the gold in the 54kg powerlifting event at the Asian Youth Para-Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Mohsen, the eldest of three siblings, snatched the gold medal with a best lift of 120kg. Iraq’s Ahmed Almajmaie also had a similar best lift but Mohsen won with the tiebreaking procedures.

Uzbekistan’s Iskandar Tursunbaev took the bronze with a lift of 100kg. Malaysia missed out a medal in the 54kg when Bryan Junencey Gustin finished fourth.

“We must treasure what we have and move on,” Mohsen said. “Through powerlifting, I am able to represent my nation. I felt proud when I saw my country’s flag flying high today.”

While Bryan missed out on a medal, the Malaysian camp celebrated the bronze medal won by Mohd Azmie Aziz Asibun in the 49kg category. Mohd Azmie finished behind Iraq's Ahmed Alhacham and Iran's Ali Seifi.

Meanwhile, Japan took over the overall lead in the medals tally with a total of 17 golds, seven of those coming within the last day. They picked up four golds in swimming and three more in athletics.

Iran are now second in medal standings with 16 golds, followed by Malaysia with 13.