Iran’s Paralympians win 10 golds
It was a great Paralympics for Iran, which finished in 11th place in the medal rankings, a historic achievement for the Islamic Republic.
Iran won 10 gold medals, 7 silvers, and 7 bronze medals, at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, which was the country’s best showing ever at the Paralympics.
Iranians surprised the world by winning a total of 24 medals and finishing above France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Sweden, and some other countries regarded as sporting powers.
At the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, Iran finished in 22nd place on the medal board, with 5 gold medals, 6 silvers, and 3 bronze medals.
Leader congratulates Paralympians over Iran’s best showing ever at the Games
On Sunday, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei issued a statement congratulating Iran’s Paralympians.
Following is the text of the statement:
The honors you have achieved at the international competitions pleased the Iranian nation and created joy and happiness for the people. I thank you very much. Your commitment to Islamic teachings and values also deserves very special appreciation.
Archery
The Iranian women’s archery team gave a shining performance in the Paralympic Games. Zahra Nemati grabbed a gold medal in the individual W1/W2 category by beating Italian Elisabetta Mijno. The Iranian women’s team also earned a bronze medal in the team recurve. These results were not expected from the Iranian women. In the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, Iran didn’t win any medals in archery.
Athletics
Five out of ten of Iran’s gold medals came in the athletics events. Peyman Nasiri (1500m T20 category), Mohsen Kaedi (javelin throw F33/34 category), Javad Hardani (discus throw F37/38 category), Jalil Bagheri Jeddi (shot put F54/55/56 category), and Mohammad Khalvandi (javelin throw F57/58 category) all claimed gold.
Iran also took home 5 silver medals and 3 bronze medals in athletics, which was their most successful series of events in the 2012 London Paralympic Games.
Football 7-a-side
Iran’s 7-a-side football team defeated Brazil 5-0 in the third place play-off match on Sunday, which was the final day of the Paralympics, to win a bronze, which was Iran’s last medal.
Powerlifting
Powerlifting was the second most successful sporting competition for Iran at the 2012 Paralympic Games. The Iranian powerlifters won 4 gold medals, 1 silver medal, and 1 bronze medal. Nader Moradi (-60kg category), Ali Hosseini (-75kg category), Majid Farzin (-82.5kg category), and Siamand Rahman (+100kg category), the strongest man of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, all claimed gold medals.
Roohallah Rostami (-67.5kg category) won a silver medal and Ali Sadeghzadeh (-100kg category) settled for bronze.
Shooting
Sareh Javanmardi was Iran’s only shooter who won a medal at the 2012 Paralympics. She took home the bronze in the ten metre air pistol shooting event.
Final rankings
China topped the medal rankings with 95 golds, 71 silvers, and 65 bronze medals for a tally of 231 medals overall.
Russia came in second with 35 golds, 38 silvers, and 28 bronze medals and 101 overall. The host country Britain finished in third place with 34 golds, 43 silvers, and 43 bronze medals for a tally of 120 medals.