Disabled since birth, Iranian power-lifter Mohsen Bakhtiar says his condition has never stopped him from wanting to succeed in life. And he proved that today when he bagged the gold in the 54kg powerlifting event in the Asian Youth Para Games here.
For a 15-year-old, Mohsen has a very uplifting view and positive outlook on life. “We must overcome our difficulties if we want to succeed in life,” commented Mohsen, who won a gold in the 54kg powerlifting competition.
He explained that having to adjust to his condition from young, he was determined to make the best of what life had thrown at him. “We must treasure what we have and move on. Through powerlifting, I am able to represent my nation. I felt proud when I saw my country’s flag flying high today.”
Mohsen, the eldest of three siblings, snatched the gold medal with a best lift of 120kg. Iraq’s Ahmed Almajmaie also had a similar best lift but Mohsen won on the countback. Uzbekistan’s Iskandar Tursunbaev took the bronze with a lift of 100kg. Malaysia missed out a medal in the 54kg when Bryan Junencey Gustin finished fourth.
While Bryan missed out on a medal, the Malaysian camp celebrated the bronze medal won by Mohd Azmie Aziz Asibun in the 49kg category. Mohd Azmie finished behind Iraq’s Ahmed Alhacham and Iran’s Ali Seifi.
Meanwhile, Japan took over the overall lead in the medals tally with a total of 17 gold medals. Second yesterday, their haul of seven gold medals today lifted them to the top spot. They bagged four golds in swimming and three more in athletics. Iran are second with 16 gold medals.
Malaysia, who were leading yesterday with 11 gold medals, picked up two more golds today but dropped to third.