Paralympic powerlifter Siamand Rahman passed away on Sunday March 1st, 2020 in his hometown, Oshnavieh, Iran, after suffering a heart attack. He was 31 years old.
Rahman made his powerlifting debut on the world stage at the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) Powerlifting World Championships in 2010 with a silver medal finish. He is a three-time world champion and two-time Paralympic powerlifting champion. He won gold at the 2012 London Summer Paralympics and the 2016 Rio Summer Paralympics in the super heavyweight division.
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Rahman is considered the strongest paralympian of all-time and for good reason. His bench press was heavier than any paralympian’s in history and he was the first ever paralympian to bench press 300kg/661lb. He successfully completed this feat on his second attempt at the 2016 Rio Paralympics in the +107kg weight class.
He set the current world record bench press of 310kg/683lb in the same event on his fourth attempt, which did not count officially towards a medal. If you have not seen that incredible lift, you can watch it below courtesy of Rahman’s Instagram page:
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Rahman broke the world record bench press nine times in three years and also proved that he was capable of pushing even heavier. Here he is a year after his record setting performance lifting an additional kilo:
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Andrew Parsons, the president of the IPC, shared his condolences on the sudden death of Rahman saying:
“The thoughts and deepest condolences of the whole IPC, World Para Powerlifting and the Paralympic Movement are with Siamand’s family, friends and loved ones at this difficult time. Our prayers are also with our friends at the Iranian National Paralympic Committee. Sadly, today we have lost a true Paralympic great.”
FAQs
Who is Siamand Rahman?
Siamand Rahman was an accomplished para powerlifter. He won three world titles and two gold medals at the 2012 London Paralympics and 2016 Rio Paralympics. He was the first ever paralympic athlete to bench press 300kg.
How old was Siamand Rahman when he died?
Siamand Rahman was born on March 21st, 1988. He passed away at age 31 of cardiac arrest on March 1st, 2020.
Feature image from Siamand Rahman’s Instagram page: @siamand_rahman
