Hadi Saei

About Hadi Saei

The bronze medal gleamed in Sydney when Hadi Saei first announced himself to the world. It was 2000, and the Iranian taekwondo athlete had just claimed his place on sport's biggest stage at the Summer Olympics. Few knew then that this was only the beginning.

Born on June 10, 1976, Saei would go on to become the most successful Iranian athlete in Olympic history. His hunger for titles never stopped. Between 2004 and 2008, he claimed two Olympic gold medals that would cement his legacy forever.

The accolades kept coming. Saei won two world championship titles and four world cup titles throughout his storied career. By the time he hung up his competition gear, he had collected nine world-class titles. No Iranian athlete had achieved anything close.

In 2006, Saei traded the competition mat for Tehran's City Council. Local elections brought him into politics, and the public voted him in. He was reelected in 2013, extending his influence beyond the taekwondo arena. The 2017 election did not go his way, but his mark on the city had already been made.

His dominance in taekwondo was undeniable. Among all taekwondo athletes with the most Olympic medals, Saei ranked among the three best ever. His trophy cabinet overflowed with achievements that few could match.

In January 2022, Saei took the helm of the Islamic Republic of Iran Taekwondo Federation. He led the federation until January 2026. The sport that had given him everything now received his leadership and vision.

From a bronze medalist in Sydney to a two-time Olympic champion, Saei's journey reshaped Iranian sports. He proved that excellence on the mat could open doors to public service. His nine world-class titles remain a monument to dedication and skill.

Hadi Saei's story is one of relentless pursuit. He chased gold, found it twice, and then chased something larger—the chance to lead his sport into the future.