News / Sports

Iranian weightlifter Salimi pulls out of 2nd International Fajr Cup

Saturday, 25 February 2017 11:37 AM [ Last Update: Saturday, 25 February 2017 11:37 AM ]

Iranian super heavyweight lifter Behdad Salimi Kordasiabi (file photo)

Iranian super heavyweight lifter Behdad Salimi Kordasiabi has decided to withdraw from the second edition of the International Fajr Cup, which is scheduled to be held next month in southern Iran.

The 27-year-old man-mountain told reporters in the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz, located approximately 830 kilometers southwest of the capital, Tehran, late on Friday that he had seriously aggravated his knee injury during a recent snatch competition of the Iranian Weightlifting Clubs Super League, and had to undergo treatment in order to return to full fitness soon.

Salimi suffered a serious knee injury on October 26, 2015 as he was trying to lift 262 kilograms overhead in the clean and jerk during his training session.

He was immediately rushed to hospital, where he underwent a surgery following results of an MRI scan.

The second edition of the International Fajr Cup will begin in Ahvaz, Iran, on March 9, and will finish on March 14, 2017.

Contestants from Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, England, Hungary, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Romania, Serbia, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda and Yemen have already confirmed their participation in the event.

The participants will be in action in men’s 85-kilogram, 94-kilogram, 105-kilogram and over 105-kilogram weight categories. The top three athletes will be awarded cash prizes.

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