Three Iranian Special Olympics equestrians achieved a remarkable milestone by winning five prestigious medals in dressage and showmanship at the 2025 MENA (Middle East and North Africa) Special Olympics Regional Equestrian event held in Al Ain, UAE.
According to the Public Relations office of the Federation and the Equestrian Federation, on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 (4 Shahrivar 1404), the three members of Iran’s Special Olympics team excelled in various categories as follows:
Dressage Medals:
Mohammadreza Bayat (Alborz Province) – 1st place in BI3 category
Amirhossein Bafrani (Alborz Province) – 1st place in CI3 category
Seyedeh Shoa Hasanpour (Mazandaran Province) – 2nd place in BI2 category
Showmanship Medals:
Seyedeh Shoa Hasanpour (Mazandaran Province) – 2nd place in BI3 category
Amirhossein Bafrani (Alborz Province) – 2nd place in CI1 category
This historic achievement marks the first time Iran’s equestrian athletes with intellectual disabilities have reached such heights, bringing great honor to the country’s sports community.
The Iranian Special Olympics team participated with support from the National Paralympic Committee, Special Olympics Iran, Ministry of Sports and Youth, and Equestrian Federation, coached by Seyedeh Elham Mosaddeghi and Amir Mohsen Zakari Zafrqandi, with team supervisor Ali Tahayi.
Ghazaleh Montazem, head of the national Para-Equestrian Committee, stated that this valuable success is a significant step toward inclusive sports development and sports justice in the Islamic Republic of Iran while inspiring hope for a strong presence at the 2027 Special Olympics World Games in Chile.
On Wednesday, August 27, 2025 (5 Shahrivar), Iran’s Special Olympics riders will compete in show jumping and trail riding events.Iranian Paralympic Committee President Majid Rashid expressed his appreciation for the successful hosting of the APC 2025 conference, Asian Paralympic Awards, and the general assembly. In an official message, he thanked the executive board members, committee chairs, and special advisors for their collaboration and active participation, emphasizing their unity and effective management as key factors in the event’s success. Rashid highlighted the constructive outcomes that pave the way for better service to athletes and member countries and conveyed hope for ongoing cooperation, especially in preparing for the 2025 Youth Para Asian Games in Dubai. This message reflects the committee’s serious commitment to strengthening solidarity, developing Paralympic sports, and advancing the movement across Asia.
