From reluctant beginner to international medalist:
Beheshti reflects on ISG breakthrough
Iranian girl Mahsa Beheshti’s breakthrough moment came on the international stage in Riyadh. Competing in November’s Islamic Solidarity Games, the 16-year-old weightlifter powered her way to a clean and jerk gold in the -86kg division and added two bronze medals in the snatch and total – an achievement that marked a turning point in a career that had not begun with absolute certainty.
Beheshti says weightlifting was not a lifelong dream at the outset. “At first, I wasn’t very determined to stay in the sport,” she told IRNA. “But little by little, I became interested, and that interest turned into passion.”
Her journey into weightlifting began at the age of 13, encouraged by a sports-loving uncle. A cousin was already active in the discipline, competing in domestic leagues, and that family connection helped steer her toward the platform. What followed was a rapid rise fueled by persistence and an awareness of time. “In sport, the younger you are, the better your body recovers and the better records you can achieve,” she said. “As you get older, it becomes harder.”
Before her medal-winning performance in Saudi Arabia, Beheshti’s international experience was limited. Her first exposure to top-level competition came at the Asian Youth Games in October, where she competed in the +77 kg category and captured a bronze medal in the snatch. It was a confidence-building result, but also a daunting one.
“I had only competed in provincial and national championships before that,” she said. “The level was much higher than what I was used to, and I was very stressed.” The pressure was intensified by the presence of physically imposing rivals and powerhouse teams such as China and South Korea. “Their body size and strength were intimidating,” she recalled.
Support from the coaching staff proved decisive. Beheshti said her coaches repeatedly reassured her that she was capable of winning medals, helping her manage the pressure and focus on her lifts. The effort paid off, and her performances did not go unnoticed. After her medal-winning showing, Sajjad Anoushiravani, the chairman of the Iranian Weightlifting Federation expressed his satisfaction with her results.
Beheshti also spoke highly of her coach, Elham Hosseini, describing her as a figure she looks up to both professionally and personally. “She is very strong scientifically and technically, and she understands athletes very well,” Beheshti said. Alongside Hosseini, she credited Anoushiravani for providing critical support and facilities, naming them as her role models in women’s and men’s weightlifting respectively.
Though she hails from Ardabil, Beheshti said she has not had direct conversations with legendary weightlifter Hossein Rezazadeh, but remains inspired by watching footage of his iconic lifts from past competitions.
With her first major international medals now secured, Beheshti is already looking ahead. “With God’s help and hard training, I will try to win medals of even better color in the future,” she said – eyes firmly set on lifting heavier, higher, and further onto the global stage.