SAEDNEWS: A deeply emotional funeral was held in the village of Sarnamak for 12-year-old Helena Gholami, Asia’s Kyokushin karate champion, who was killed in what Iranian officials call a Zionist regime attack. Her story, now marked by martyrdom, has stirred grief and pride across the nation.
According to Saed News, Helena Gholami, a 12-year-old Kyokushin karate champion of Asia, has been immortalized as “Martyr Helena Gholami” in the collective memory of the Iranian people. Once celebrated for her athletic achievements, she is now remembered as a child who sacrificed her life in the face of what has been described as a crime by the child-killing Zionist regime.
In the small village of Sarnamak, near Biran Shahr in Lorestan Province, a profoundly emotional farewell ceremony was held. It honored a girl whose small hands once gripped medals but now symbolize courage and innocence sacrificed for the homeland.
The village of Sarnamak, filled with heavy hearts and proud spirits, became a scene of national mourning. The farewell, attended by a large crowd of citizens, officials, and athletes, was marked by Quran recitations, spiritual chants, and cries of sorrow. The atmosphere was saturated with grief mingled with a sense of unity and dignity.
Amidst the ceremonies, mourners chanted: “Red rose of Baharani, Hossein, oh Hossein,” comparing Helena to a red rose that bloomed and fell too soon. Her mother, in the quiet of their modest home, held Helena’s photo close to her chest and whispered with pain and pride: “My dear Helena, I know you are in a good place… I am truly proud that my daughter became a martyr. The word ‘martyr’ before Helena’s name brings me peace. She sacrificed her life for the revolution, the homeland, and our dear leader. My children, my life, everything I have, I dedicate to the Leader.”
Her father stood beside her, firm despite the tears in his eyes. “I proudly offered my child to the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei. Helena was more than a champion athlete; she was martyred by the child-killing Zionist regime. I thank God for this precious gift to our nation and people.”
A powerful and symbolic moment occurred during the ceremony when Ghazal Fathi, another Asian karate champion and Helena’s teammate, handed her own gold medal to Helena’s mother. Her voice trembling with emotion, Fathi said, “I am only a small part of the sports community, but I felt it was my duty to offer this medal to the pure soul of Martyr Helena Gholami. This medal no longer belongs to me; it belongs to the nation that defines courage and sacrifice through the blood of its daughters.”
Seyed Saeed Shahrokhi, the Governor of Lorestan, also attended and condemned what he described as the Zionist regime’s crime. He stated: “Dear Helena is a symbol of our nation’s oppression and strength. Her martyrdom at age 12 is living testimony to the inhumane and unforgivable crimes of the child-killing Zionist regime. Helena was not only a karate champion but came from a family devoted to the values of the revolution and leadership. She sacrificed her precious life for her homeland and people.”
He added, “The Gholami family symbolizes resilience and faith. This martyrdom is a source of pride for this land. I pray to God to grant patience, reward, and health to this family.” He further emphasized the need to preserve Helena’s name and legacy, stating, “I extend my condolences and respect to the noble and resilient family of Martyr Gholami. Our presence here is a tribute to the lofty status of martyrs. May God grant honor, dignity, and health to all people, especially the families of martyrs.”
The ceremony concluded with tearful prayers and emotional tributes, but Helena’s presence remained. Her voice, once that of a child, now echoes as a symbol of faith and resistance. Sarnamak, where she once trained, has transformed into a sacred place where pledges to the martyrs are renewed—not just with weapons, but with honor and belief.
As mourners bid farewell, it was not the end, but the beginning of a new dawn—a dawn of faith, steadfastness, and pride. Helena’s name, her story, and her sacrifice will live on eternally in the history of this land.
