Taekwondo star Mehdi Nosrati Bildashi was allegedly shot by security forces in Iran and lost nearly five stone after undergoing 30 surgeries during an eight-month fight for his life
A taekwondo athlete has died aged just 21 after reportedly undergoing around 30 operations for gunshot wounds suffered during anti-government protests in Iran.
Mehdi Nosrati Bildashi was allegedly shot by security forces while demonstrating in Pakdasht, southeast of Tehran. He suffered devastating injuries to his pancreas and intestines and was initially treated at a hospital in Pakdasht.
Mehdi was later transferred to a hospital in Tehran, where he underwent around 30 operations over the following eight months, according to reports. He also lost more than 30kg (4st 10lb) after his injuries caused difficulties with eating, as reported by NeedToKnow.
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Mehdi died on September 12 from complications linked to his injuries sustained on January 8, and a lung infection, according to information reported by Iranian opposition media.
His family is also said to have faced financial difficulties during his lengthy treatment.
Mehdi was wounded during nationwide protests which erupted across Iran in late December 2025 amid anger over the country’s economic crisis before developing into wider anti-government demonstrations.
The protests were met with a violent crackdown by Iranian authorities, with rights organisations documenting the use of firearms against demonstrators.
The true scale of the bloodshed remains disputed and difficult to independently verify following severe restrictions on communications and internet access.
Human rights organisations have confirmed thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of arrests, while other estimates of the number killed and injured are significantly higher.
Mehdi is one of a number of athletes reported to have been killed or fatally wounded during the unrest.
Among them was 17-year-old footballer Rebin Moradi, a youth player for Saipa who was reportedly killed by gunfire in Tehran on 8 January.
His father later claimed forensic officials told him his son had been shot from behind at close range.
Former footballer Mojtaba Tarshiz, 47, was also reportedly killed alongside his wife during protests in Qaemshahr.
Tarshiz had previously played for clubs including Tractor Tabriz, Nassaji Mazandaran, Fajr Sepasi Shiraz and Mes Kerman.
Iranian authorities have not publicly provided an explanation for their deaths.