• World Pahlavani Championships Held; Heydari Elected President of Pahlavani Federation

      The 1st World Pahlavani Wrestling Championships held under supervision of the United World Wrestling took place this weekend in Minsk. Wrestlers from more than 40 countries competed in this traditional wrestling style wth Iran, Turkey and Russia finishing in the top three team spots.

      • 19:2 2016/12/8

       The 1st World Pahlavani Wrestling Championships held under supervision of the United World Wrestling took place this weekend in Minsk. Wrestlers from more than 40 countries competed in this traditional wrestling style wth Iran, Turkey and Russia finishing in the top three team spots.

      The origin of “Pahlavani" wrestling dates back to ancient Persia and was said to have been practiced by mythological Iranian heroes in battles.The style combines martial arts and wrestling technics, calisthenics, strength training and motivational music. The style is recognized by UNESCO as one the worlds’ longest-running form of sport.

      A champion of Pahlavani is known as a "Pahlavan" which means hero. Those who have achieved this status are very popular among the people of Iran.

      The actual style of Pahlavani wrestling is between two competitors who try to take control over each other by throwing their competition to their back or shoulder.

      In Pahlavani wrestling, wrestlers wear a pant which extends from waist to below of his knees that contains a belt to hold the pants. In this style wrestler is allowed to use or grab pants or belt as a grip. Also the wrestler can use legs, waist, clinch, leg trips and more likely lift and throw.

      The Individual standings of 2016 World Pahlavani Wrestling Championships

      60KG

      1- Jalal SULEYMANO (AZE) 2- Jalal ALIZADEH (IRI) 3- Ibrahim ELYASOV (RUS) & Skandar SATAROV (KGZ) 5- Wesley MORALES OJEDA (PUR) & Vladislav PETROV (BLR)

      70kg

      1- Hamid ELAHIAN (IRI) 2- IMAM ADZHIEV (RUS) 3- Victor SERADA (BLR) & Selehattin KILICSALLAYAN (TUR) 5- Nicola GAJIC (SRB) & Aydorbek AYTIEV (KGZ)

      80kg

      1- Zaur GHANIZADE (GEO) 2- Ayhan SUCU (TUR) 3- Ahmad JAFAKESH (IRI) & Andrey KALENIK (BLR) 5- David Elias CHOC HUOC (GUA) &Vadim Krudov (MDA)

      90kg

      1- Esmaeil NEJATIAN (IRI) 2- Ahmet BILICI (TUR) 3- Pedro ROCHA (BRA) & Alexey RODNOK (BLR) 5- Pencho DUCHEV (BUL) & Antas AZAROVIC (LTU)

      100kg

      1- Javad MAHJOUB (IRI) 2- Reineris SALAS PEREZ (CUB) 3- Brandon BALLARD (USA) & Yasoni MEMSADZE (GEO) 5- Andrzej BOROVIC (POL) & Amir BAZRAFSHAN (CAN)

      + 100kg

      1- Ahmad MIRZAPOUR (IRI) 2- Majord JALALIEV (RUS) 3-Aron PATIL (IND) & Visaf SAFARBAEV (AZE) 5- Slavic REZISIDZE (GEO) & Martin JANATTA (SVK)

      Team standings: 1- Iran 2- Turkey 3- Russia 4- Belarus 5- Azerbaijan)

      Six time Olympic and World Champion Alireza HEIDARI (IRI) was elected as the first president of the World Pahlavani Wrestling federation, one of the associated traditional wrestling styles of United World Wrestling.

      Also former World champion and Olympics medalist of Georgia Eldar KURTANIDZE and the vice president of Hungary federation Peter BACSA were elected as vice presidents of World Pahlavani Wrestling Federation.

      Meanwhile legendry Alexander MEDVED named as the honorary President of the federation.

      The officials and bureau members of the World Pahlavani Wrestling Federation as follow:

      President: Alireza HEIDARI (IRI)
      Honorary president: Alexander MEDVED (BLR)
      Vice Presidents: ELDAR KURTANIDZE (GEO) - Peter BACSA (HUN)
      Secretary General: Soltanali TARKHAGH (IRI)

      Bureau Members:

      ELDAR KURTANIDZE (GEO)
      Fouad MESKOUT (MAR)
      Edit DOZSA (ITA)
      Pedro GAMA FILHO (BRA)
      Francisco Eduardo LEE LOPEZ (GUA)
      John Jr TARKONG (PLW