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Hossein Rezazadeh

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Hossein Rezazadeh is a celebrated Iranian politician and a retired professional weightlifter.

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Olympic rings

He is widely considered one of the greatest weightlifters in history. Throughout his career, he achieved incredible success on the world stage. He is a two-time Olympic champion and a four-time World Weightlifting champion. Additionally, he won five Asian championships. Many people, including sports commentators, have referred to him as "the strongest man in the world." This title came from his ability to set numerous world records during major competitions.

In weightlifting, athletes compete in different weight classes. Rezazadeh competed in the super heavyweight class, which is for the heaviest athletes. Before the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) reorganized these categories in 2018, he held the world record for this class. He excelled in the clean and jerk, a specific type of lift. In this move, a lifter pulls the barbell from the floor to their shoulders. They then push the weight upward until their arms are fully extended above their head.

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Olympic rings

At the 2004 Athens Olympics, he lifted 263.5 kg, which is approximately 580.9 pounds.

Rezazadeh's performance at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney was a historic moment. He earned a gold medal and broke a long-standing monopoly held by the Soviet Union and Russia. In the over 105 kg class, he was the first athlete to win gold at a non-boycotted Games since 1960. His dominance continued at the 2004 Athens Olympics. There, his total weight lifted, combining the snatch and the clean and jerk, was 472.5 kg. This total was 17.5 kg higher than the silver medalist, Viktors Ščerbatihs.

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Olympic rings

His achievements brought him great honor within his home country of Iran. In 2002, he was voted the "Champion of Champions" of Iran. President Mohammad Khatami also granted him a badge of courage. Following the 2002 World Weightlifting Championships in Warsaw, Poland, the President awarded him 600 million rials. At that time, this was a little more than US$60,000, which helped him buy a house in Tehran. His popularity was so high that his 2003 wedding in Mecca was broadcast live on Iranian state television.

Rezazadeh is also known for his strong loyalty to his nation. In 2004, the Turkish Weightlifting Federation made a massive offer to him. They offered a monthly stipend of US$20,000, a luxury villa, and a $10 million reward. This was if he changed his nationality to compete for Turkey at the Athens Olympics. Rezazadeh rejected the offer, stating, "I am an Iranian and love my country and people."

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Olympic rings

His success also inspired local development. In 2006, the Rezazadeh Stadium was built in his hometown of Ardabil to honor his achievements. It remains one of the most modern indoor arenas in Iran.

His professional career came to an end due to medical concerns. In 2008, his physician, Dr. Mohammad Ali Shahi, advised him against competing in the 2008 Olympics. The doctor cited severe hand injuries and high blood pressure as the primary reasons. Rezazadeh announced his retirement through a letter read on National Iranian Television. He expressed hope that his son, Abulfazl, might break his records in the future.

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Olympic rings

Following his retirement, he moved into leadership roles. He served as the Prime Counselor for the Iranian national weightlifting federation and later as the head coach of the national team.

In his later years, Rezazadeh transitioned into the world of politics. In 2013, he was elected as a member of the City Council of Tehran. His career has also been marked by discussions regarding sports ethics. In 2009, he was linked to positive steroid tests among four Iranian weightlifters. Later, an athlete named Saeid Alihosseini accused him of using steroids in 2006. Rezazadeh has responded by publicly vowing to fight doping within the sport of weightlifting.

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Olympic rings
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