Saei poised for second term at Iranian Taekwondo Federation
With former president Mohammad Pouladgar sidelined from contention, Iranian taekwondo legend Hadi Saei appears the clear frontrunner to retain the helm of the Iranian Taekwondo Federation when elections for the sport’s national governing body are held on April 8.
Saei, who assumed the presidency in January 2022 at the age of 44 with a decisive mandate, has overseen a four-year tenure marked by sustained international success.
His term culminated in Iran’s most successful Olympic taekwondo campaign at the Paris 2024 Summer Games.
Under Saei’s leadership, Iranian athletes claimed four medals in Paris, including a historic silver in the women’s division through Nahid Kiani.
The gold medal, secured by Arian Salimi in the +80kg category, carried particular significance as it ended a 16-year wait for an Olympic taekwondo gold for Iran — the first since Saei himself triumphed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Salimi rallied after dropping the opening round against Britain’s Caden Cunningham to take the final two rounds, showcasing the resilience that has defined Iranian taekwondo in recent years. In doing so, he followed in the footsteps of Saei, who remains Iran’s most decorated Olympian of the modern era with two gold medals and one bronze.
The federation’s achievements have extended beyond the Olympic stage. At the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games, Iranian taekwondo athletes secured four medals, including one gold. The 2023 World Championships produced five medals, two of them gold. Across the Asian Games campaign, Iran ultimately collected eight medals in total across various weight categories, despite several early exits by medal hopefuls.
This consistent presence on major international podiums suggests Saei’s tenure has provided relative stability and competitiveness at the highest level.
The upcoming election features 15 registered candidates but notably excludes Pouladgar, who is ineligible after serving three previous terms. Among the most prominent challengers to Saei are Asghar Rahimi and two-time world champion and former Olympic bronze medalist Yousef Karami, both well-known figures within Iranian taekwondo.
Given Saei’s administrative record, the federation’s international results over the past four years, and the composition of the candidate field, the April vote is widely seen as a referendum on the federation’s current direction. Whether members opt for continuity or a change in leadership will shape Iran’s preparation for future Olympic and World Championship cycles.