News / Sports

Intl. Pahlavani Wrestling Federation comes into existence

Tuesday, 03 May 2016 2:31 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 03 May 2016 2:28 PM ]

In this file photo, Iranian Pahlavani wrestlers compete during a national tournament in Tehran, Iran.

The International Pahlavani Wrestling Federation has started its operation as the governing body responsible for the organization of major international tournaments of the sport.

The federation was established on Monday following the United World Wrestling’s green light as well as strenuous efforts made by the Islamic Republic of Iran Wrestling Federation (IRIWF) and a number of foreign federations in holding international Pahlavani wrestling tournaments in 2015 and 2016.

The IRIWF also grasped the available opportunity and managed to register Pahlavani wrestling as a sport, which has originated in ancient Persia.

The first edition of Pahlavani Wrestling World Championship is expected to be held in Belarus sometime in October and under the auspices of the United World Wrestling.

Pahlavani wrestling goes back to ancient Persia, and was originally used to train warriors.

It combines martial arts and wrestling techniques , calisthenics, strength training and epic music.

The two competitors try to take control over each other by throwing the opposite combatant back on his shoulder.

The wrestler is allowed to grab his opponent’s pants or belt as a grip. He can also use his or own legs to off-balance a rival, hence causing him to fall to the ground.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has recognized Pahlavani wrestling as among the world's longest-running forms of sport.

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