Kitakyushu 2018: Siamand Rahman saving his best

"I am saving the best possible lifts for then"

Eyes will be watching in anticipation what the world’s stronger Paralympian Siamand Rahman will do at the Asia-Oceania Open Championships in Kitakyushu, Japan, between 8 and 12 September.

But the Iranian, who will likely add another trophy to his haul in the men´s over 107kg, revealed that surpassing 310kg is not among his goals.

“I will not try to break the world record in Japan,” he said.

“I am saving my best lifts for October´s Asian Para Games and, of course, for the next Paralympic Games.

“At Indonesia 2018 and Tokyo 2020 you will witness what no other powerlifter has done before. I am saving the best possible lifts for then.”

The two-time Paralympic and world champion has already arrived in Japan and has started his trainings ahead of the competition together with the rest of the Iranian team.

Rahman has absolutely captivated the Japanese public. All those who meet him, either journalists, volunteers or other powerlifters, want to shake his hand or get a picture with their hero.

Last year, he had made a name for himself in Tokyo by giving a Para powerlifting masterclass to numerous schoolchildren.

For all those young Japanese kids who seek a future in sports, Rahman has a message.

“If you really want it, go for it. You have to know that you will need to work hard every year. I took up powerlifting at 16 years old and it got me this far. If you have the passion and the will, everything is possible.”

Kitakyushu 2018 will be shown live on World Para Powerlifting’s website and Facebook page.

Full results will be available on the Kitakyushu 2018 website.