Behdad Salimi

Behdad Salimi, born on December 7, 1989, in Qaem Shahr, Iran, is an Iranian weightlifter and Olympic champion who dominated the super-heavyweight category for years. Salimi won the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics in the +105kg category, setting Olympic records in both the snatch and total. He also won the 2011 and 2013 World Championship gold medals. Standing at 1.96 meters and weighing over 150 kilograms, Salimi was an imposing figure on the weightlifting platform. His incredible strength allowed him to lift weights exceeding 470 kilograms in total. After his competitive career, Salimi transitioned into coaching and sports management, helping develop the next generation of Iranian weightlifters. He remains one of Iran's most decorated Olympians and a source of national pride.