Training Tuesdays: Siamand Rahman

“Everyone who commits a doping violation will question all the endeavors of others. The value of fair competition is important, so I avoid eating in unknown places which I have no knowledge about.”

Iran’s defending world champion Siamand Rahman is bulking up his training regime in the year before the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games with aim of smashing his own world record.

Rahman, who competes in the up to 107kg weight class, recently won gold at the 2014 Asian Para Games in Incheon, South Korea.

This summer, he is going through an intensive training camp to prepare for the IPC Powerlifting Asian Open Championships, which run from 26-30 July in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

There, he is considering a 300kg lift, which would exceed his own world record set in Incheon 2014 by 8kg.

Continual improvement

Rahman has been on an upward trajectory since the Dubai 2014 World Championships, where he took the world record from his compatriot and rival Mansour Pourmirzaei. At last year’s Asian Para Games, he broke his own world record three times, en route to a final lift of 292kg.

Achieving such a feat is no secret, involving plenty of hard work and focused training, Rahman said. But consistency is especially key for the Iranian standout, as he trains three hours each day, regardless of the season.

“Along the week, I follow a coach’s schedule for five or six days,” Rahman said. “Usually, I do my training from 16:00-19:00.”

Staying healthy

Because he is also taking college classes, Rahman must manage his time wisely. When he is not in the gym or recovering, he is attending classes or studying.

“Although I join the training camps, I should still participate in planned classes,” Rahman said. “If any extra time is found, I spend it for my college lessons.”

Though both his athletic and educational workloads are heavy, Rahman is prioritising his health above all else. His ultimate goal is to be in peak condition for the Rio 2016.

“I care about my physical condition to avoid injuries and try to keep healthy,” Rahman said. “My nutrition is regular; some people think the level of my food might change, but it is not true. I do not follow any special diet or supplement.”

Committed to clean competition

Finally, Rahman said he is committed to a clean lifestyle and is categorically against taking performance-enhancing drugs.

“In my opinion, it would be really unfair to compare those who try to reach the advantages through taken forbidden substances with those who honestly and toughly spend a lot of time in training camps,” Rahman said. “The long road cannot be taken overnight.”

Doping, Rahman believes, erases the credibility of an athlete’s performance and harms the reputation of all competitors.

“I see this matter as an unsportsmanlike act,” Rahman said. “Everyone who commits a doping violation will question all the endeavors of others. The value of fair competition is important, so I avoid eating in unknown places which I have no knowledge about.”

Regardless of his performance in Almaty 2015, Rahman will certainly be chasing the 300kg mark at Rio 2016. With his intense focus and dedicated training regimen, he should be one to watch.