Iran para powerlifting Cairo 2025 marked an unprecedented triumph in Paralympic sports history. October 2025 will be remembered as a monumental month in Iranian sports history. A new generation of para powerlifting titans, alongside trailblazing female athletes and coaches, have not only dominated the world stage but have also shattered long-standing records and broken down historic barriers. The Cairo 2025 World Para Powerlifting Championships became the epicenter of this revolution, a platform where Iranian strength, resilience, and spirit were on full display, echoing the legacy of the late, great Siamand Rahman and heralding a new era of global dominance.
From the New Capital City Hall in Cairo, a story of unprecedented success unfolded. Iranian athletes, from seasoned veterans to teenage prodigies, delivered a performance for the ages, securing a remarkable haul of medals, setting new world records, and, most significantly, achieving a historic first for women in Iranian sports. This wasn’t just a victory in a single competition; it was a statement to the world. Iran para powerlifting Cairo 2025 dominance is a testament to a nation’s unwavering commitment to sporting excellence and a powerful inspiration for generations to come.
The Reign of the New Titans: Gharibshahi and Aminzadeh
Leading the charge were two of Iran’s most formidable powerlifters: Aliakbar Gharibshahi and Ahmad Aminzadeh. Both athletes not only secured gold medals but did so in a manner that left no doubt about their supremacy in the sport.
Aliakbar Gharibshahi: A New World Record
At 43 years old, Aliakbar Gharibshahi proved that age is just a number. Competing in the men’s up to 107 kg category, the two-time world champion and Paris 2024 Paralympic gold medalist arrived in Cairo with a singular goal: to raise the bar once again. And he did not disappoint. With a phenomenal lift of 255 kg, Gharibshahi shattered his own world record of 254 kg, set in Dubai in 2022.
“After Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, I trained a lot to set to raise the bar again,” Gharibshahi stated. “I came to Cairo 2025 with a new world record in my mind and wanted to set 260 kg but maybe next time.”
His performance was a masterclass in strength and determination, a clear message to his competitors that he remains the undisputed king of his category.
Ahmad Aminzadeh: Honoring a Legacy
In the super-heavyweight category (men’s over 107 kg), the weight of expectation was immense. This was the division once dominated by the legendary Siamand Rahman, a man who transcended the sport. Ahmad Aminzadeh, the reigning Paralympic champion, not only embraced this pressure but thrived on it. With a powerful lift of 260 kg, the 34-year-old secured his third world title, ensuring that Rahman’s legacy continues to burn brightly.
“After Paris 2024 Paralympics, I didn’t train much as I had some pain in my chest. But I’m happy that I won the gold here,” Aminzadeh commented. “This is the first time I attempted to lift 270 kg, but it wasn’t meant to be here. I hope I can get it in the next competition.”
His victory was a poignant tribute to his predecessor and a powerful demonstration of Iran para powerlifting enduring strength in the heaviest weight class.
A Historic Breakthrough: Iran’s Women Rise
While the men’s victories were a cause for celebration, it was the achievements of Iran’s female athletes that marked a truly historic moment. For the first time in the history of the World Para Powerlifting Championships, an Iranian woman stood atop the podium, a gold medal around her neck.
Atiyehsadat Hosseini: A Golden Moment
At just 17 years old, Atiyehsadat Hosseini etched her name into the annals of Iranian sports history. Competing in the women’s up to 61 kg Next Gen category, she secured Iran’s first-ever women’s gold medal at the championships with a lift of 90 kg. Her victory was a watershed moment, a powerful symbol of the changing landscape of women’s sports in Iran.
“I’m so happy and proud to get the gold here,” said a jubilant Hosseini.
Her achievement is a beacon of hope and inspiration for countless young girls and women across the nation, proving that with dedication and perseverance, anything is possible.
Marziyeh Jafari: Coach of the Year
The success of Iran’s female athletes was not confined to the powerlifting platform. At the 2025 AFC Awards in Riyadh, Marziyeh Jafari was named AFC Women’s Coach of the Year, another historic first for an Iranian. Jafari’s leadership of the Bam Khatoon Women’s FC and the Iran women’s national team has been instrumental in their recent successes, including qualification for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026.
The Next Generation: A Future Forged in Gold
The dominance of Iran’s senior athletes was matched by the extraordinary performance of its youth team. The Rookie & Next Gen World Championships, held just before the elite competition, provided a glimpse into the future of Iran para powerlifting Cairo 2025, and that future is incredibly bright.
Youth World Record Breakers
- Mani Saeedi (19): Competing in the men’s up to 88 kg (Next Gen) category, Saeedi not only won gold but also set a new world record, first with a 166 kg lift and then improving it to 172 kg.
- Reza Enayatollahi (18): In the men’s up to 97 kg (Next Gen) category, Enayatollahi celebrated his 18th birthday by winning gold and setting a new world record of 195 kg. “I worked hard for 11 years for this result,” he said. “I believe the key to success is hard work and listening to your coach.”
Iran’s youth team secured a total of four gold medals, tying with Armenia for second place in the medal standings and demonstrating the incredible depth of talent in the country’s para powerlifting program.
A Month of Unprecedented Success
October 2025 was a month of unparalleled achievement for Iranian sports. The triumphs at the Cairo 2025 World Para Powerlifting Championships were complemented by successes in other arenas, painting a picture of a nation on the rise in the world of sports.
| Event | Athlete/Team | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Para Powerlifting Worlds (Elite) | Aliakbar Gharibshahi | Gold Medal & World Record (255 kg) |
| Para Powerlifting Worlds (Elite) | Ahmad Aminzadeh | Gold Medal (260 kg) |
| Para Powerlifting Worlds (Elite) | Aliasghar Abareghi | Bronze Medal (227 kg) |
| Para Powerlifting Worlds (Elite) | Nikoo Rozbahani | Bronze Medal (152 kg) |
| Para Powerlifting Worlds (Youth) | Atiyehsadat Hosseini | Gold Medal (90 kg) – HISTORIC FIRST |
| Para Powerlifting Worlds (Youth) | Mani Saeedi | Gold Medal & World Record (172 kg) |
| Para Powerlifting Worlds (Youth) | Reza Enayatollahi | Gold Medal & World Record (195 kg) |
| AFC Awards 2025 | Marziyeh Jafari | AFC Women’s Coach of the Year – HISTORIC FIRST |
| AFC Awards 2025 | Salar Aghapour | AFC Futsal Player of the Year |
The Enduring Legacy of Siamand Rahman
Looming large over the success of Iran’s para powerlifters is the legacy of Siamand Rahman. The two-time Paralympic champion, who tragically passed away in 2020, was a true giant of the sport, the first man to break the 300 kg barrier. His spirit and his achievements continue to inspire a new generation of Iranian athletes.
“Siamand Rahman is a Paralympic legend and we miss him very much,” Ahmad Aminzadeh said in 2021.
The performances of Aminzadeh, Gharibshahi, and the entire Iranian team in Cairo 2025 are a fitting tribute to his memory, a testament to the enduring power of his legacy.
Conclusion: A New Chapter in Iranian Sports
The events of October 2025 have ushered in a new chapter for Iranian sports. The combination of world-record-breaking performances, historic firsts for women, and the emergence of a dominant new generation of athletes has sent a clear message to the world: Iran is a global powerhouse in para powerlifting and a nation on the rise in the world of sports. The Iran para powerlifting Cairo 2025 success story is far from over—the legacy of champions is in safe hands, and the future has never looked brighter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What records were broken at Cairo 2025 World Para Powerlifting Championships?
Aliakbar Gharibshahi set a new world record of 255 kg in the men’s up to 107 kg category. Youth athletes Mani Saeedi (172 kg) and Reza Enayatollahi (195 kg) also broke world records in their respective categories.
Who was Iran’s first female world champion in para powerlifting?
Atiyehsadat Hosseini, at just 17 years old, became Iran’s first-ever female world champion in para powerlifting by winning gold in the women’s up to 61 kg Next Gen category with a lift of 90 kg.
How many medals did Iran win at Cairo 2025?
Iran won multiple medals including gold medals from Gharibshahi, Aminzadeh, Hosseini, Saeedi, and Enayatollahi, plus bronze medals from Abareghi and Rozbahani, showcasing dominance across multiple weight categories.
What is the legacy of Siamand Rahman?
Siamand Rahman was a two-time Paralympic champion and the first man to break the 300 kg barrier in para powerlifting. He passed away in 2020 but continues to inspire Iranian athletes, with Ahmad Aminzadeh carrying on his legacy in the super-heavyweight category.
References
- Cairo 2025: Iran’s Aminzadeh extends dominance with third world title
- Historic win for Marziyeh Jafari as Iran duo celebrated at AFC Awards
- Cairo 2025: Paris 2024 champions Gharibshahi, Oluwafemiayo shatter world records
- Cairo 2025: World records galore as Iran get first ever women world champion
- Siamand Rahman – Wikipedia
