[Olympics] Worlds Strongest Man

[MetaLRasaM]

heyy guys...i just thought i should post this since no1 else has.

World's strongest man strikes again

Thu 26 August, 2004 11:11

By Parisa Hafezi

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iranians are swelling with pride after weightlifter Hossein Rezazadeh confirmed his status as the world's strongest man at the Athens Olympics.

Known affectionately as the "Iranian Hercules", Rezazadeh, equalled his own world record total lift of 472.5 kg with an ease and panache that crushed super-heavyweight competitors.

"I was so proud because this year we sent Hercules to Athens," said Shirin, 35, a furniture designer in Tehran.

"He won because he believes in God," the Islamic Republic's Abrar-e Varzeshi newspaper said.

"Iran's national anthem was played in Athens, thanks to our champion," said the state-run Iran newspaper.

"His gold gained Iran respect."

President Mohammad Khatami told Rezazadeh in a message: "Your ranking first was not only a sporting victory but a proper response to our nation's expectations. I congratulate you, therefore, for delighting the hearts of the Iranian nation."

State television on Wednesday showed hundreds of people in Rezazadeh's home city of Ardebil cheering and letting off fireworks to celebrate the local hero's triumph.

"We thank you for delighting tens of millions of Iranians," Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a message.

Rezazadeh, a devout Muslim who whispers a prayer before each lift, came from nowhere four years ago to win the crown and his title was never in serious threat in Athens.

His victory confirmed his status as the country's only real sporting superstar. His stocky form gazes down from Tehran billboards advertising a motor oil, vying with Michael Schumacher and David Beckham who front rival brands.

Iran's other best chance for a medal ended in controversy last week when judo world champion Arash Miresmaeili pulled out after being drawn against an Israeli in the first round.

Source

if you wanna watch it..you can use these links:

http://www.iranolympic.com/mpg/olympic_17.mpg

this is the complete list..its intresting to watch HOW easily he lifts them up!!

http://www.iranolympic.com/video.asp

[ootput]

"He won because he believes in God," the Islamic Republic's Abrar-e Varzeshi newspaper said.

Logically, the other competitors lost because they were Pagans.

[MetaLRasaM]

Logically, the other competitors lost because they were Pagans.

hehe..ya i kinda found that funny...but he IS very very religous...the NOTE on his jersey(if you can call that) is also a religous note.

[MetaLRasaM]

i also found this funny article...the american dude who lost said the Iranians technique is "all wrong".

Bad technique wins big man gold

August 26, 2004

From Barney Spender in Athens

THERE may be no such thing as perfection but it takes a brave man to tell Hossein Reza Zadeh, the world's strongest man, that he is doing it all wrong.

Shane Hamman was willing to try, though.

"His technique could definitely be better," the American said after the 26-year-old "Iranian Hercules" had destroyed Hamman and the rest of the field in the Olympic super-heavyweight weightlifting division this morning.

"He bends his arms and you are supposed to keep them straight. But he has short arms and that helps him," said Hamman, who finished seventh in the over 105 kg class, after Reza Zadeh broke his own world record in the clean and jerk.

The American conceded: "He is intimidating with the ease with which he lifts those weights.

"He is the strongest man I have ever seen."

Reza Zadeh came from nowhere four years ago to win the crown and his title was never in serious threat in Athens.

He thrilled the crowd, which included dozens of Iranians assuring him with cries of "May God help you".

Before each lift, Reza Zadeh uttered a traditional Shiite Muslim prayer and finished by setting a world record lift in the clean and jerk of 263.5 kg for a total of 472.5 kg.

Back home in Iran, his new victory set off wild rejoicing.

State television showed hundreds of people in his home city of Ardebil cheering and letting off fireworks.

"He has given comfort to the nation," said fruit seller Hossein, joined by chain-smoking taxi drivers round a fuzzy black-and-white television in Tehran.

"We have not had any medals yet but this is a real gold, the top gold in the world, the strongest man," said Akbar, another of the men watching the contest.

Rezazadeh's colossal frame had adorned newspaper front pages and pre-competition commentators had wiped tears from their eyes as they watched clips of his victory in Sydney four years ago.

"We thank you for delighting tens of millions of Iranians," Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a message.

After the competition Rezazadeh put his success down to two reasons: "I trained very hard for it and Allah helped."

If only he could get his technique right.

Reuters

Source (Fox news...where else?)

[ootput]

Out of curiosity, what does it say?

Btw, I'm open to all kinds of religions/religious practices. I don't want to pass myself off as being prude. It's just kind of strange the way the Media tends to honor athletes/celebs/heroes by claiming that it was due to Divine Intervention.

[ootput]

:rofl: Several funny points:

• joined by chain-smoking taxi drivers
  
• If only he could get his technique right
  

.. from Reuters, no less :p

[MetaLRasaM]

Out of curiosity, what does it say?

Btw, I'm open to all kinds of religions/religious practices. I don't want to pass myself off as being prude. It's just kind of strange the way the Media tends to honor athletes/celebs/heroes by claiming that it was due to Divine Intervention.

well it says:

Yaa Abbol Fazl..

its arabic...means something like: Hey Abbol Fazl

Abbol Fazl is a name..he is(was) related to our prophet Mohhammad( i think its the son of the son of the son of mohhamad)

and Mohhammad is like our Jesus...this dude calls Abbol Fazl EVERYTIME he lifts those weights...for assistance...and mann...he calls his name WHEN HE IS HOLDIN THE DAMN THING IN THE AIR!!

he is ONE strong mofo! if i was holdin that much wieght..i would prob be crushing my teeth!

[ootput]

:happy:

[MetaLRasaM]

:happy:

hey..i just read ur sig...good one! me likes!!

i LOVE THAT line...Eagles....hmmm..good times...

[S.MULLA]

just watched him lift it on the online BBC videos.. wow hes strong..!! :o

[Apollo]

472.5 kg <- holy ****!! that's a freaking lot!

i was watching the other day some middle weights and they could barely get to 200.

[CoolioVendetta]

470 odd kg :wacko: what weight class were they in? I was watching the 80 kg or something like that i think it was and they could barely reach 220kg.

[xSammyx]

well it says:

Yaa Abbol Fazl..

its arabic...means something like: Hey Abbol Fazl

Abbol Fazl is a name..he is(was) related to our prophet Mohhammad( i think its the son of the son of the son of mohhamad)

and Mohhammad is like our Jesus...this dude calls Abbol Fazl EVERYTIME he lifts those weights...for assistance...and mann...he calls his name WHEN HE IS HOLDIN THE DAMN THING IN THE AIR!!

he is ONE strong mofo! if i was holdin that much wieght..i would prob be crushing my teeth!

he doesnt call abol fazl (saw) every time he lifts. he shouts "Allah". this year it is the first year he has Ya Abol Fazl on his uniform, he has always had Ya Hussein. I read an article about him the other day saying that he could do 500 kg on a healthy day easily, then the commentator went on to say that this is quite common in Iranian Strength Houses (zoor khonne).

edit: hey did you watch Hadi Saei Bonehkohal win gold in taekwondo? it was soooo sweet.