18 participations in the Premier League, 14 medals including 10 in gold. 3 World championships, 3 finals, including one won, plus 3 titles per team (2014 to 2018). World N°1 in +84 kg, 2nd in the Olympic ranking in +75 kg, Iran’s Sajad Ganjzadeh is incredibly consistent at the highest level. His 2016 World title, his 3 world finals in a row, his opponents... Episode 1 of an interview with a world Karate master.

By Ludovic Mauchien / Photo : Kphotos

When you meet Sajad Ganjzadeh, you might even wonder if he is a very great champion, a high-level athlete. Once you see him on a tatami, you quickly understand ! Speed, precision, technique, mental strength... The Iranian fighter has all the arsenal of the highest level. So he took the opportunity to build a hell of a record.

At 28 years old (since January 4), he is a 3-time World finalist in the heavyweight division. Beaten by the reigning World champion, Turkey’s Erkan, in 2014, he became World champion in 2016 before being dominated by Horne in 2018, in Madrid. If we add the 3 titles won by team, Sajad Ganjzadeh, it means 4 World gold medals out of 6 possible in 3 editions, 6 finals out of 6 possible !!! It's simple, even Rafaël Aghayev has not played 3 World finals in a row.

In 2019, he climbed 7 times the podium of a Karate 1, for 4 wins, and was 3rd in the Asian championships. World n°1, he ranks 2nd in the Olympic standing, behind Turkey’s Aktas, just ahead of his fellow compatriot Zabiollah Poorshab, certainly his most dangerous opponent for the Olympic qualification. Only 600 points separate them.

Ahead of this Paris Premier League Open, he remained on 3 finals (Moscow) including 2 wins (Madrid and Santiago).

For the 1st episode of this interview that Sajad Ganjzadeh granted us, the Iranian champion comes back to his title of World champion, his finals, his opponents...