Source: Press TV

Iranian weightlifter Rashid Sharifi replaces world champion Hossein Rezazadeh to represent his country in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Iranian weightlifter, Rashid Sharifi

"Sharifi, who is a young and promising weightlifter and an Asian champion, will replace Rezazadeh to participate in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games," Head of Iran's Weightlifting Federation Bahram Afsharzadeh said on Thursday.
 

Sharifi clinched the Asian championship after lifting the 426 kg total (190 -and 236 kgs snatch and clean jerk respectively) in the 39th Asian Weightlifting Championship in Kanazawa, Japan last May.

On Wednesday, four-time heavyweight world champion Hossein Rezazadeh - nicknamed 'the Iranian Hercules' - pulled out of the 2008 Games due to medical reasons.

The 30-year-old Rezazadeh won several gold medals in various international sports events, including two gold medals in the Sydney and Athens Olympics in 2000 and 2004.

Rezazadeh holds world records in snatch (213 kilos), clean jerk (263 kilos) and total (472 kilos).
 

... Payvand News - 07/25/08 ... --