WATCH: Kurdish Paralympic athlete wins gold at Mexico City 2017 games
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdish athlete Siamand Rahman on Thursday won gold at the Mexico City 2017 World Para Powerlifting Championships, securing another world title.
Rahman, a 29-year-old Kurd from Oshnaviyeh in Iranian Kurdistan (Rojhelat), displayed his strength by dominating the men’s over 107-kilogram category.
“I am happy for this title and want to dedicate it to my family, friends, and all the people in Iran,” he said following his victory.
The Kurdish athlete currently holds the world record a Paralympic powerlifter after his 310-kilogram lift at the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016, breaking his previous record of 280-kilograms set at the London 2012 games.
The incredible feat led to Rahman being nicknamed “the strongest Paralympian in the world,” a label he said he was pleased with.
“I feel very happy and proud for having broken the 300-kilogram barrier and for being the strongest Paralympian in the world,” he said after his Rio 2016 achievement.
The 29-year-old said his desire was “to be an inspiration for all people with [an] impairment who stay at home and don’t lead an active life, especially the youth.”
Leading up to the games in Mexico City, most fans were expecting Rahman to break his record and rewrite history. However, the Paralympic champion was content with securing just a gold medal.
“Why do I have to break the world record every time I compete?” he answered after being asked about why he didn’t attempt to break his record. “I cannot do it every time and, besides, I had some technical issues.”
Despite not trying to set a new record, the Paralympic champion put in an impressive performance, leading comfortably after round one with a 265-kilogram lift, before lifts of 275-kilograms and 285-kilograms secured the gold medal.
The Kurdish athlete began his career with the support of his family and coach Ali Asghar in 2008.
He made his debut on the world stage at the 2010 IPC Powerlifting World Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in the men’s over 100-kilogram category, winning silver.