Sputnik - The astonishing physique of Iranian bodybuilder Sajad Gharibi has earned him plaudits and a host of nicknames, from "Hercules" to "Hulk;" in an exclusive interview with Sputnik, the 25-year-old shares the secrets of his success.




Iranian�bodybuilder�Sajad Gharibi has captured the attention of�internet users with�his hulkish physique, and currently has 344,000 followers on�his�Instagram�account.

Sajad, who is 184cm tall and weighs 165kg, has been given several monikers including the "Iranian Hercules" and Rustam, the name of�a legendary Persian folk hero. Some Western media publications have dubbed him the "Iranian Hulk."

In an exclusive interview with�Sputnik Iran, muscular Sajad reveals that he once had another nickname, "Daesh executioner"�� but�it was all a misunderstanding.

"Daesh executioner," or how my Internet fame began with�a misunderstanding

"I graduated in�business economics from�the University of�Bushehr. At the moment I work in�a real estate agency, but�my main occupation is sport. For 10 years now I've been doing powerlifting. However, my popularity began with�a misunderstanding: I was mistaken for�a Daesh executioner who was shown on�the Internet. People began to�talk about�me and when they recognized me they thought I was a Daesh militant�� this rumor even reached the media. But then one London newspaper wrote an article about�me which changed people's idea about�me. Since then, the media have published good things about�me and I have received positive recognition throughout�the world."

Training and genetics lead the way to�muscles of�steel

"I lead a really ordinary life. I do 2-3 hours of�sport each day and sleep for�8 hours. If I have some work to�do, then I spend 1.5 hours on�sport and I work the rest of�the time. Regarding food, I do eat differently from�most other people. Usually I eat 4-5 times a day, but�when I'm trying to�bulk up�I increase my meals to�7-8 times a day. I eat about�the same things as�every Iranian family does.� However, what distinguishes me from�others is my genetics. My grandfather was also a big man and went to�the zurkhaneh [a traditional sports arena where physical exercises and wrestling are practiced)."

The internet is full of�rumors�

"The most unpleasant story about�me is the one about�the Daesh executioner, it worried me very much. There was another interesting rumor, that I was going to�go to�America to�perform in�ultimate fighting, a fight without�rules. This rumor arose when [former Iranian-American wrestler] Hossein Khosrow, Ali Waziri, invited me to�America. I couldn't go there because I was serving in�the military."

I'm looking forward to�entering the international sports arena

"I have received many proposals from�different countries, but�I am serving in�the army at�the moment. After I finish my military service, I am ready to�join a foreign club�� with�the permission of�the Ministry of�Sport. Unfortunately, this sport doesn't get enough attention in�Iran so I want to�go abroad for�professional development."

If my country needs me, I'm ready to�go to�fight in�Syria

"When I was given the nickname "Daesh executioner," a lot of�people from�different countries, including Russia, began to�associate me with�a terrorist. Above all, I want to�protect my homeland, and then come to�the aid of�other countries. I have not signed up�anywhere and I want to�continue my sport activities. If the Islamic Republic of�Iran needs my help, if I am asked, I am ready to�do that (go to�Syria)."

 

People on�the street are not afraid of�me�� they want to�take a picture with�me

"People on�the street do not remember my name, but�they really love me and they call me the "Iranian giant", the "Iranian Hercules" or "Hero." The phrase "Iranian Hulk" has already become a world brand. I am somebody who smiles a lot and I'm very polite with�everyone. People have no reason to�fear me�� most of�them want to�take a picture with�me."