Who is Jamal Valizadeh? Everything about the Iranian-born wrestler competing as a refugee at Paris Olympics 2024
Jamal Valizadeh is a refugee athlete competing in his maiden Olympic Games at the Paris Olympics 2024. He was born in Iran but had to flee to Türkiye and later to France, where he currently lives.
Valizadeh was the only non-wrestler in his family of 34 cousins, and during childhood, he played as a goalkeeper in handball. However, one day he tried wrestling and learned the sport with the help of his family. On his first day of the wrestling competition, he beat the regional champion and thus started his lifelong love for the sport.
He became the Iranian national champion in the under-55 kg category for three consecutive years in 2011, 2012, and 2013. However, Valizadeh was forced to flee his country in his quest for a better life, taking refuge in Türkiye.
Jamal Valizadeh's life didn't get any better in Istanbul. After tolerating long workdays lasting up to 16 hours, Valizadeh eventually departed from Türkiye and moved to France.
The wrestler’s life got much better after he moved to France, where he was granted political asylum. He began pursuing a Master's degree. In early 2023, Valizadeh took up wrestling again and is now set to compete in the Paris Olympics 2024.
Jamal Valizadeh has since competed at Henri Deglane and European Championships, as well as the World Olympic Games Qualifier as part of the refugee team. The 32-year-old will be seen in action in the Greco-roman wrestling category at the Paris Olympics on August 5-6.
"That decision changed my life" - Jamal Valizadeh on taking up wrestling again
After fighting his way through the hardships in Paris, Jamal Valizedah decided to take up wrestling again in January 2023. He believes that the decision changed his life.
"That decision changed my life. When I arrived in France, I didn't speak French and I didn't know anyone. I decided to find a wrestling club, and that helped me to learn French, and get back to a normal life,” he told Olympics.com in an interview.
He was named as part of the International Olympic Committee Refugee Team for the Paris Olympics and now trains with the French national wrestling team. He hopes to win a gold medal at the Olympic Games.