Irans weightlifting world champion Behdad Salimi[/caption]Iran's super heavyweight weightlifter Behdad Salimi has been named as the flag-bearer of the Iranian sports delegation during the opening parade of the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
According to a statement posted on the National Olympic Committee of Islamic Republic of Iran website earlier this week, the Iranian star, who won the gold medal in the men's +105-kilogram category of the weightlifting competition of the 2012 Olympic Games in London, will carry Irans flag at the opening ceremony of theGames.
The 17th edition of the Asian Games will be held in Incheon, located 48 kilometers (30 miles) west of South Korean capital Seoul, from September 19 to October 4, with 439 events in 36 sports and disciplines.
On August 7, 2012, Salimi lifted a total of 455 kilograms at ExCel Arena to snatch the gold medal for super weight category of the London Olympic Games.
The 24-year-old, who lifted 208 kilograms in snatch and 247 kilograms in clean and jerk, secured the gold medal with his first clean and jerk lift of 247 kilograms.
The strongman attempted a clean and jerk world record of 264 kilograms, trying to beat the 263 kilograms mark set by Irans Hossein Rezazadeh, the two-time Olympic and four-time world champion, at the Sydney Games in 2000.
However, Salimi failed in his second attempt and abandoned a third lift.
Iran's weightlifting prodigy Salimi won the world title in his first attempt in 2010 by lifting a total of 453 kilograms and retained his title in 2011 by lifting 464 kilograms.
The lifter set a new world record of 214 kilograms in the snatch, breaking the previous record of 213 kilograms.
By Press TV
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