Iranian weightlifter Behdad Salimi has undergone a successful operation to repair the torn ACL in his left knee.

The superheavyweight suffered the injury during a pre-event training session in late October.

The surgery was performed by orthopedist Dr. Sohrab Keyhani in Tehran’s Kian Hospital on Wednesday.

Salimi remains hopeful of being able to defend his Olympic crown at Rio 2016.

Salimi’s injury marks a second major blow for the Iranian Weightlifting Federation ahead of the World Championships after the absence of heavyweight Saeid Mohammadpour was confirmed last month.
The 2011 world bronze medallist dislocated his elbow while attempting to lift 190 kilograms at an event in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium.