Iranian Athletes Secure Series of Medals in Paris Paralympics
Powerlifter Gharibshahi Shatters Records, Wins Gold
TEHRAN - Aliakbar Gharibshahi, an Iranian para-powerlifter, has made history by setting a new record and clinching the gold medal in the men’s up to 107kg category at the Paralympic Games in Paris.
Gharibshahi received his gold medal on the last day of the Paralympic Games after breaking the record twice, IRNA reported on Sunday.
The athlete set a new Paralympic record of 247kg on his first attempt and then surpassed it with a lift of 252kg on his second attempt. He triumphed over competitors from the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Malaysia, the United States, Japan, Mexico, Uzbekistan, and Mongolia.
This victory adds to Gharibshahi’s impressive career, which includes four world championship titles and one Asian championship title.
The Mongolian and Mexican powerlifters secured the silver and bronze medals, respectively.
Gharibshahi’s gold medal marks the seventh gold for Iranian athletes at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, which took place from August 28 to September 8.
Elham Salehi Bags Bronze in Javelin Throwing
Elham Salehi, the female Iranian javelin thrower has snatched the bronze medal of Para Athletics Women’s Javelin Throw – F54, as the 2024 Paralympics are underway in the French capital.
Salehi threw 16.24 meters to rank third following rivals from Uzbekistan and Nigeria.
Her Uzbekistani rival threw 21.12 meters to smash the Olympics and world record and win the gold medal.
Shot Putter Khosravi Wins Gold
Yasin Khosravi from Iran has claimed the gold medal in the men’s shot put - F57 at the 2024 Paralympic Games.
Khosravi threw 15.96 meters, seized the gold medal, and broke the Paralympic record.
Thiago Paulino dos Santos of Brazil won the silver with 15.06 meters, and the bronze medal went to Indian Hokato Hotozhe Sema with 14.65 meters.
Khosravi’s gold was Iran’s sixth gold in Paris 2024.
Earlier, shooter Sareh Javanmardi, shot putter Amir Hossein Alipour, javelin thrower Saeid Afrouz, powerlifter Rouhollah Rostami, and the sitting volleyball team had already won five gold medals in Paris.
The athletics events at the 2024 Summer Paralympics are taking place at Stade de France in Paris.
Iran has sent 65 athletes to compete in 10 different sports at the Games.
Beit Sayah’s Paralympics Gold Stripped Over Religious Flag
Iranian javelin thrower Sadegh Beit Sayah, who won a gold medal at the Paris Paralympics 2024, has been disqualified for displaying a religious flag during his victory celebration.
Beit Sayah set a new Paralympic record in the men’s javelin throw F11 category at the Paris Paralympics 2024 with a throw of 47.64 meters.
The Iranian para-athlete celebrated his victory by showing a religious flag, which led to his disqualification from the games.
This turn of events altered the medal standings, upgrading the silver medal of India’s Navdeep Singh to gold.
Officials from Iran’s track and field team have protested the disqualification of their athlete.
Beit Sayah told reporters that he had displayed a religious flag during his victory celebration at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games without any issues.
That comes as the flag raised by Beit Sayah after winning the competition reflected his pure religious believes and was no insult to anyone or any group.
Social media users and prominent political and cultural figures in Iran criticized the decision to disqualify Beit Sayah, saying the athlete was right to express his religious enthusiasm after winning the gold medal.