Iran’s Siamand Rahman passed away at the age of 31 on Sunday, 1 March 2020 due to sudden cardiac arrest in his hometown, Oshnaviyeh, Iran.
Siamand’s family called the Emergency Medical Services at 18:30 and a team of specialists were sent to his home immediately initiating CPR. He then was transferred to a local hospital where after an hour and half of CPR attempts, unfortunately, could not be saved.
Dr. Zahra Chaboki, the head of Medical Committee of NPC I. R. Iran stated, “Siamand was in perfect health and did not have any sign of cardiovascular disease. Due to his special condition, he used to have de-centered camps in his hometown; consequently, he was under the constant medical supervision of our medical team.” Dr. Chaboki added, “the recent careful history‐taking and examination including echocardiography and electrocardiogram tests given by a cardiologist and two echocardiography specialists were absolutely satisfactory. It is worth mentioning that further investigations are at hand and the report will be announced accordingly."
Siamand Rahman, the world legend, and two times Paralympic Gold Medalist, started his professional career since 2008 with support of his family and coach in his birthplace Oshnaviyeh, Iran.
He snatched the gold at the IWAS Junior World Games in the US in 2008 and another three more in 2010 – two world titles in Libya and Malaysia, and one Asian gold in Guangzhou, China. At the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Para Games, he set another World record in the over 100kg category, lifting 287.5kg, and won gold medal.
In 2011, he finished as a gold medalist in Jordan’s International Open. In the same year, he broke his own record once more, during IWAS World Games lifting 291kg in the United Arab Emirates.
During London 2012, he broke the Paralympic record with a lift of 280kg.
He registered 285kg at the World Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in April 2014.
He claimed another gold medal in 2014 Asian Para Games in Incheon, South Korea where he beat his own Asian record by 3.00kg registering 290kg.
Lifting 295kg, he took gold in the men’s over 107kg world record at the 2015 IPC Powerlifting Asian Open Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
The world’s strongest Paralympian, who had lifted 296kg at a World Cup in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, February 2016, was widely expected to break the 300kg barrier after years improving his marks.
In Rio 2016, he made history by clearing the bar at 310kg in the men’s over 107kg, setting a new world record and claiming his second consecutive Paralympic gold.
At the 2018 Asian Para Games, Siamand came first at the Men's Over 107.00 kg with 295kg. In the same year, he comfortably won the men’s over 107kg at the Asia-Oceania Open Championships in Kitakyushu, Japan.
After winning gold medal in Mexico City 2017, he clinched the third Worlds title, in his last international appearance, in Nur-Sultan 2019.
He has received so many awards among them the best male award at the 2017 Paralympic Sport Awards held in Abu Dhabi, and being shortlisted for the prestigious Laureaus Sportsperson of the year with a disability award could be named.
Siamand was a role model to many people in the Paralympic movement. We will always remember his kind smile. He was truly an epitome of hope, humanity, faith, love and peace, and an inspiration for people of Iran and the whole world.
NPC I.R.Iran expresses its sincere condolences to the Paralympic movement, and Siamand's family, friends and loved ones.
God bless him