Hossein Rezazadeh has been appointed to a key position within Iranian Para powerlifting ©Getty Images

Double Olympic champion and Iranian weightlifting legend Hossein Rezazadeh has been appointed director of his country's Para powerlifting association.

The 41-year-old four-time world champion will make a return to the sports scene after taking up a role as a politician following his retirement from weightlifting.

Iran Sports Federation for the Disabled head Mohammad Shervin Asbaghian said Rezazadeh, who still holds the clean and jerk world record in the heavyweight over-105 kilograms division, had been appointed based on his weightlifting experience.

"I wish you all success in your new position," Asbaghian added, according to the Tehran Times.

The Iranian four-time world champion will be tasked with maintaining Iran's strong performance in powerlifting at the Paralympics ©Getty Images
The Iranian four-time world champion will be tasked with maintaining Iran's strong performance in powerlifting at the Paralympics ©Getty Images

Rezazadeh's appointment represents a boost for Iranian powerlifting, which is still reeling from the death of two-time Paralympic champion Siamand Rahman last month.

The former member of Tehran's City Council will be tasked with maintaining Iran's strong performances at the Paralympic Games.

Powerlifting is the country's second most successful sport at the Paralympics.

Twelve of Iran's 56 Paralympic gold medals have come in powerlifting, a figure which is second only to the 31 titles the country has secured in athletics at the Games.