Iranian powerlifter Siamand Rahman won the best male award at the 2017 Paralympic Sport Awards held in Abu Dhabi’s National Exhibition Centre on Thursday.
Iranian powerlifter Siamand Rahman won the best male award at the 2017 Paralympic Sport Awards held in Abu Dhabi’s National Exhibition Centre on Thursday.
The awards, partnered by Allianz, recognize the achievements from last year’s Paralympic Games.
Belarusian swimmer Ihar Boki and Swiss wheelchair racer Marcel Hug were also on the shortlist for the best male category.
Rahman, considered the world’s strongest powerlifter, broke his own world record at Rio 2016 by lifting 310 kilograms.
It secured him his second consecutive Paralympic title.
"In my opinion, the outstanding message of such a selection to the world is to prove that impairment is not a limitation," Rahman said.
"A Paralympian can achieve sport performances and records that normal people cannot even imagine.
"Therefore, the Paralympians are changing people’s perception of the world through their achievements and this is the most important point that I always think about," he added.