Alireza Soleimani Karbalaei (Persian: علیرضا سلیمانی کربلایی, 2 February 1956 – 21 May 2014) was an Iranian heavyweight freestyle wrestler. He was the first Iranian to win the world superheavyweight title, which he achieved in 1989. He served as the flag bearer for Iran at the 1992 Summer Olympics, where he placed sixth.[1][2]

Alireza Soleimani
Personal information
Born2 February 1956
Tehran, Iran[1]
Died21 May 2014 (aged 58)
Tehran, Iran
Height190 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Sport
SportFreestyle wrestling, varzesh-e bastani
Achievements and titles
National finalsPahlevan of Iran (6):
1358, 1361, 1362, 1364, 1365, 1369
Medal record
Representing  Iran
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 1989 Martigny 130 kg
Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 1986 Seoul 130 kg
Asian Championships
Gold medal – first place 1981 Lahore +100 kg
Gold medal – first place 1983 Tehran 130 kg
Gold medal – first place 1987 Mumbai 130 kg
Gold medal – first place 1989 Oarai 130 kg
Gold medal – first place 1991 New Delhi 130 kg
Bronze medal – third place 1979 Jalandhar +100 kg

Besides freestyle wrestling, Soleimani was a champion in varzesh-e bastani and won the Pahlevan of Iran title and armband in pahlevani traditional wrestling six times.[1]

References

edit
Olympic Games
Preceded by Flagbearer for   Iran
Barcelona 1992
Succeeded by