Hossein Tavakoli (Iran), the impressively muscular weightlifter who won the 2000 Olympic gold medal in the 105-kg category is back in training.


Looking good, Hossein Tavakoli approaches the bar at the 2004 Asian Weightlifting Championships (Almaty, Kazakhstan). Minutes later, Tavakoli blew a patella tendon in a devastating accident and has only recently resumed training on the lifts. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.

Anyone who was in Almaty, Kazakhstan for the 2004 Asian Weightlifting Championships knows just how horrific it was when Tavakoli ruptured his patella tendon, but the guy who seems like Hollywood star material has resumed training on the lifts, building up slowly, and he is currently at the level of snatching 120 kg and cleaning and jerking 150 kg - not yet ready to return to competition, but apparently on his way back.