Pahlevan of Iran

Pahlevan of Iran (Persian: پهلوان ایران) is a national championship for pahlevani wrestling (koshti pahlavāni) held annually in Iran. Though the competition has ancient roots, its modern form began in 1944.[1][2]

The champion earns the title of Pahlevan and the right to wear the Bazouband (championship armband). Described as "tangled up with the soul of Iranian peoples", the title is athletically and culturally prestigious in Iran.[3] The Pahlevan armband was formerly awarded by the Shah of Iran and is now presented by the president of Iran.[4] Many Pahlevan have gone on to win medals in international competition.

Mostafa Tousi, 3-times winner (1323–25)
Ahmad Vafadar, 3-times winner (1329–31)
Abbas Zandi, with 4 titles (1328, 1332–35) and the youngest Pahlevan ever (18 years old)[1]
Gholamreza Takhti, 3-times winner (1336–38) was nicknamed Jahan Pahlevan[1]
Alireza Soleimani has the most titles (6-times in total: 1358,1361–62, 1364–65, 1369) and is nicknamed Pahlevan Bashi  [1]
  1. ^ a b c d Abbasi, Pouya (2009). "Pahlevani: From Zoroastrians to Takhti" (PDF). Hamshahri Tamashagar (in Persian). Vol. 72. pp. 74–75. ISSN 1735-7535.[dead link]
  2. ^ Sarrafi, Khashayar. Modern Pahlevan: Jahan Pahlevan Takhti (PDF) (Report). Shanghai University Sports Research Center, College of Physical Education. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 May 2014. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  3. ^ پهلوانان ایران زمین [Iranian warriors of the land]. Hamshahri (in Persian). 30 April 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  4. ^ رستم‌پور, مهدی (9 May 2013). "پناهندگی صاحب بازوبند پهلوانی ایران به هلند". رادیو فردا (in Persian). Radio Farda. Retrieved 25 March 2015.