Kurdish Paralympian powerlifting champion dies at 31

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – A Kurdish Iranian powerlifter and Paralympian gold-medalist has died at the age of 31. 

Siamand Rahman,  who was born and raised in the Kurdish town of Shno, northwest Iran died of a cardiac arrest on Sunday.

He won gold medals at the 2012 summer Paralympics  in London, 2016 summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro and the 2010  Asian Para Games in Guangzhou.

Rahman is the current International Paralympics Committee Powerlifting  World Record holder in the +107 kg category with a 310.0 kg bench press.

The first Paralympic powerlifter to bench press 270 kg,  he was named Best Male at the Paralympic Sport Awards in 2016.  

Rahman’s death prompted many Iranian officials to send letters of condolence to his family, including President Hassan Rouhani, Vice President Ishaq Jahangeri, Parliament speaker Ali Larejani and many other ministers and local officials. 

Other international and Paralympics officials also sent their condolences to Rahman’s family, including Andrew Parsons,  President of International Paralympics Committee, Sir. Philip Kryon,  former President of International Paralympics Committee, and many  other international sports officials.

Parsons described Rahman as a “wonderful human being” and “pioneer for his sport” according to the BBC. 

“Siamand was a pioneer for his sport, an inspiration for many in his home country, Iran, and around the world, and a fantastic ambassador for the Paralympic movement.” Parsons said, adding that he was “one of the friendliest people you could ever meet.”