Iran NPC, Tehran:
Iran's Zahra Nemati is set to embark on a new chapter of her
professional Para Archery career as she announces new head coaching position at
Team Melli!
According to World Para Archery Para archery legend Zahra
Nemati is set to add a new chapter to her illustrious career as she has just
been appointed the new head coach of Iran’s para archery team.
A three-time Paralympic Champion, the 39-year-old replaces
coach Milad Vaziri, who has reportedly parted ways with the team after the
Paris 2024 Games, where the Iranian team claimed two silver medals courtesy its
compound woman Fatemeh Hemmati and compound mixed double (Hemmati and Hadi
Nori), as well as Mohammad Reza Arab Ameri‘s bronze in the recurve men’s
individual event.
Nemati’s appointment has come little over two months after
she herself missed out those Paralympics in France – but still travelled to
Paris as a member of the International Paralympic Committee's athletes’ council
– as and is expected to inspire next generation of para archers in Iran.
“I’ve always felt a deep connection to the sport and wanted
to give back,” Nemati was quoted saying to Tehran Times. “The opportunity to
mentor and guide the next generation of para archers was too good to pass up. I
believe my experiences as an athlete can be invaluable to them.”
Excited to start her new stint, Nemati has already chalked
out goals for the team.
“Our primary focus is on the 2026 Para Asian Games in Nagoya
and the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles. I want to see our athletes not only
compete but also shine on the global stage. We’ll be working hard to improve
their technical skills, mental strength, and overall performance.”
With three back-to-back Paralympic gold medals in London
2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, Nemati has made history becoming the first
Iranian athlete to do so either at the Paralympic or Olympic Games.
Apart from these, her cabinet also shines bright with
Paralympic medals in team events – a silver from Rio (just a month after she
competed in the Olympics) and bronze from London, besides five gold medals from
the Asian Para Games in Incheon 2014, Jakarta 2018 and Hangzhou 2022.
She is also a two-time World Archery Para Champion from
Bangkok 2013 and Beijing 2017, and was recognised by the International
Paralympic Committee with its next-generation leader award in 2021 for her
campaigns on women’s rights and disabilities in sport.
In all, with someone of Nemati’s
stature at the helm of coaching, Iran’s para archery is set to see next innings
of success.