Pourrahnama competed against Russian arch-rival Vitali Nazarenko in a K44 classification demonstration before an evening final session at the Olympics in what was a special initiative organised by the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF).

The Iranian star triumphed 15-6 in a high-scoring bout.

He admits to being disappointed that the event was played out to a largely empty crowd in the Carioca Arena 3, but claimed it was a good advert nonetheless.

“There were not too many people, as it was before the repechage," he said in an article published on the WTF website. 

“If it has been before the finals, it would have been great.

“Disability versus disability, able versus able.

“I think our competition was more exciting than some of the Olympic competitors."

He believes that Para-athletes are the equal, if not the better, of their able-bodied counterparts.

“You know, lots of people think Para-taekwondo is easy, but it is not easy," he said.

“We don’t have head shots, so all the kicks are on the trunk protectors and that makes it more difficult than regular taekwondo.”

Taekwondo did not feature at the Paralympic Games which closed in Rio today.

But it is set to make its debut at the next edition in Tokyo in 2020.

“In four years, lots of things can happen. [like] being tired, being exhausted, being sick of taekwondo, these sorts of things,” Pourrahnama added.

“But I am first [in the] ranking, and I would like to be in Tokyo.”