TEHRAN – Iranian discus thrower Ehsan Hadadi officially announced his retirement from the sport on Monday, bringing an end to his 20-year career.

The 38-year-old discus thrower won a silver medal in the 2022 Asian Games in early October with a throw of 61.82 meters, behind his countryman Hossein Rasouli who threw 62.04 meters.

Hadadi is the first Iranian to win a medal in athletics in the Olympic Games. The discus thrower claimed a silver in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Haddadi also made history by becoming the first Iranian athlete to win a medal at IAAF World Championships in athletics, where he won bronze in the 2011 World Championships in Athletics in Daegu.

Hadadi won four gold medals in 2006 Asian Games (Doha), 2010 Asian Games (Guangzhou), 2014 Asian Games (Incheon) and 2018 Asian Games (Jakarta).

He also won six gold medals in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2017 and 2019 Asian Championships.

“I decided to bring an end to my career because I think it’s right time to say goodbye,” Hadadi said.

“In the recent years, I was forced to compete in the events through pain. I hope the Iranian athletes can win medals in the upcoming Olympics and Asian Games,” he added.