Iran’s Basami Becomes First Iranian Woman to Compete at IWF World C’ships
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Poupak Basami made history by becoming the first Iranian woman to compete at an International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Championships.
The 27-year-old, part of a four-strong women's team for Iran, finished sixth in the women's 55 kilograms D session after managing a total of 158kg.
That was made up of 72kg in the snatch and 86kg in the clean and jerk.
She was successful with five of her six attempts, only failing with her last clean and jerk effort at 91kg.
It comes five months after Basami became the first Iranian woman to participate at the Asian Weightlifting Championships, where she finished 12th.
Her hijab attracted plenty of attention and she admitted she found it somewhat off-putting.
Joining Basami on the Iranian women's team are Seyedehelham Hosseini, Abrisham Arjomandkhah and Parisa Jahanfekrian.
Hosseini and Arjomandkhah will contest in the 71kg A and B sessions, respectively, while Jahanfekrian will compete in the 87kg C session.
Iran Weightlifting Federation (IRIWF) President Ali Moradi says the team should take inspiration from Egypt's Sara Ahmed, who became the first female weightlifter from an Arab nation to stand on an Olympic podium after winning the 69kg bronze medal at Rio 2016.