Fallen Hero Mehdi Baghaei; The Unfinished Round
Death Mehdi Baghaei 24 years old in Iran Isfahan حوالی خیابان بزرگمهر و هشتبهشت اصفهان
Written by: Mikhak Sepid
The scent of menthol oil mingled with the smell of the gloves' worn leather and the chill of the gym's concrete. In the quiet afternoon hours, this combination was Mehdi's entire world—a gym he had only recently set up himself, where he was now the owner, no longer just a student. Wrapping the hand wraps around his wrists was a ritual for him, not some careless chore before entering the ring. He would start from the wrist, patiently weaving the rough red fabric between his fingers and binding it over his knuckles. Now, he was teaching this ritual to his students too. His students used to say that Mehdi was someone who got along with everyone, cared about each and every one of them, and if one of them didn't show up to the gym one day, he would go after them himself to bring them back to training. On one of those very days, the hand of the gym's wall clock had just passed ten in the morning. The pale winter light filtered through the tall, dusty windows of the hall, falling onto the blue flooring. His friend raised his phone: "Mehdi, strike a guard for a second so I can take a picture." Mehdi stood there in a yellow UFC tank top and red gloves. He tightened his guard and stared into…
مهدی بقایی · موی تای · اصفهان
