News / Sports

Iran lifter aims to snatch gold medal in Rio Olympics

Sunday, 07 February 2016 2:08 PM [ Last Update: Sunday, 07 February 2016 2:08 PM ]

Iranian weightlifter Kianoush Rostami

Iranian weightlifter Kianoush Rostami says he is doing his best to prepare for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and intends to collect a gold medal at the landmark international sporting event.

“It’s nearly a month that I have been training intensely for Olympic Games. I know my body much better than anyone else, and have been training both personally and as a member of Iran’s national team for years. I don’t think a problem would arise. I have gained a lot of experience over the past years,” Rostami said on Sunday.

The 24-year-old said, “I want to produce a better result than the one in Houston. I won’t be satisfied with a silver or bronze medal. I can see such capability in myself. Therefore, I will do my best to bring honor to my country.”

Rostami finished second in the 2015 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Weightlifting Championships in Houston, the United States.

On November 25, he pocketed three medals, including two silvers, for Iran in the 85-kilogram weight class at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.

The Iranian sportsman later participated in the clean and jerk contests. He began with a first attempt of 214 kilograms, which he mightily lifted. Rostami, however, failed in his attempts to equal the clean and jerk world record at 218 kilograms and better it at 219 kilograms, and grabbed the silver.

Rostami claimed the silver medal with 387 kilograms in the total lift. Aukhadov seized the bronze with a total of 380 kilograms.

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