Who is Hadi Saei? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Hadi Saei Bonehkohal

Age: 48 Years, 48 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Kamand Sadeghi

Iranian Men Tall Celebrities

Height: 6'0" (183 cm), 6'0" Males

Notable Alumni: Islamic Azad University

More Facts

education: Islamic Azad University

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Childhood & Early Life

Saei was born on June 10, 1976, in Ray, Iran. He started learning Taekwondo at the age of six.

He received a Graduate degree in Physical Education from Azad University in Tehran. In 1999, at the age of 23, he became the Taekwondo World Champion when he won the Gold medal in Edmonton, Canada.

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Career

The famous Taekwondo athlete has won 16 Gold, 3 Silver, and 4 Bronze medals throughout his career.

In 1995 he was awarded the SILVER medal in the World Military Taekwondo Championships in Manila, Philippines.

In 1996, he won the BRONZE medal at the World Military Taekwondo Championships held in Pula, Croatia.

In 1998, he won his first GOLD medal in the World Taekwondo Cup in Sindelfingen, Germany.

In 1999, he again won a GOLD medal in the World Taekwondo Championships, Edmonton, Canada, in the Welterweight class.

In 2000, the Iranian won a GOLD medal in the World Taekwondo Cup held in Lyon, France.

In 2000, Saei won the BRONZE medal in the Featherweight class at the Sydney Olympics in Australia.

In 2001, he won a GOLD medal during the World Taekwondo Cup in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

In 2002, he won a SILVER medal at the Asian Taekwondo Championships held in Amman, Jordan.

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In 2002, Saei gained the GOLD medal in the World Taekwondo Cup in Tokyo, Japan.

In 2002, he again received the GOLD medal at the Busan Asian Games in South Korea in the Welterweight class.In 2003, he settled with a SILVER medal at the World Taekwondo Championships in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, in the Welterweight class.

After an earthquake nearly destroyed the town of Bam in 2003, Saei auctioned his medals in order to raise money to aid the victims.

In 2004, he won the GOLD medal in the Asian Olympic Qualification Tournament in Piraeus, Greece.

In 2004, this Taekwondo star competed in the Featherweight class and took home the GOLD medal at the Athens Olympic Games in Greece.

In 2005, his winning streak continued with another GOLD medal at the World Taekwondo Championships in Madrid, Spain, in the Welterweight class.

In 2006, at the Asian Taekwondo Championships in Bangkok, Thailand, this illustrious athlete took home GOLD medal.

In 2006, he was awarded the BRONZE medal at the Doha Asian Games held in Qatar competing in the Welterweight class.

In 2006, he was elected as a member of the Tehran City Council.

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In 2007, he had to settle with a BRONZE medal at the World Taekwondo Championships in Beijing, China.

In 2008, he proved his mettle again at the Asian Olympic Qualification Tournament by winning GOLD.

In 2008, he triumphed at the Beijing Olympics by taking the GOLD medal.

In 2011, he was elected Chairman of the Nassaji Mazandaran Football Club based in Qa’em Shahr, Mazandaran, Iran.

In 2013, Hadi Saei was reelected as a member of the Tehran City Council.

During the Beijing Olympics, Saei fractured his wrist in his first match against Nepal’s Batista, but continued to compete and ultimately won the Gold medal for Iran.

He retired from professional Taekwondo on November 8, 2008.

Awards & Achievements

Iran’s Physical Education Organization in conjunction with the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) named Hadi Saei Iran’s Sportsperson of the Year in 2004.

Saei is only one of three Taekwondo practitioners to win two Olympic gold medals (2004 and 2008) and one of two to win a bronze (2000) in addition to the gold.

During the 2008 Olympics in Athens, Greece, Saei became the only Iranian to take home a medal. The martial artist competed in the 80 kg Middleweight category and prevailed in his first match beating Deepak Bista from Nepal 7-0. He then defeated China’s Zgu Guo 3-2. The gold medal victory came when he faced off against Mauro Sarmiento from Italy and won the match 6-4.

Personal Life & Legacy

Saei is married to Kamand Sadeghi since 2004.

The athlete faced family tragedy when his father and brother passed away in the same year. His younger brother died of cancer the following year.

His sister Mahrouz Saei Bonehkohal is also a Taekwondo instructor and Iran’s top female Taekwondo champion. Despite facing cultural challenges, she persists in teaching young girls and women the art of Taekwondo.

Trivia

Hadi Saei is an Iranian Azerbeijani. He was born in the oldest town in Tehran Province, Ray.

Hadi Saei Biography