News / Sports

Sadeqzadeh wins Iran’s Pahlavani wrestling cup title again

Friday, 12 January 2018 8:11 AM [ Last Update: Friday, 12 January 2018 9:21 AM ]

The armband for Iran’s National Senior Pahlavani Wrestling Championship is worn on the arm of Iranian wrestler Jaber Sadeqzadeh at Shahid Beheshti Sports Hall in Mashhad, northeastern Iran, on January 11, 2018.

Iranian wrestler Jaber Sadeqzadeh has delivered impressive displays of grappling skills and physical might during the National Senior Pahlavani Wrestling Championship in the country’s northeastern shrine city of Mashhad, and has deservedly been decorated with Iran’s “Champion of the Year” title.

On Thursday evening, Sadeqzadeh triumphed over compatriot Ahmad Mirzapour in the over 100-kilogram weight category of the competitions at Mashhad’s Shahid Beheshti Sports Hall, and stood atop the podium.

The Iranian sportsman then wore the Pahlavani armband, which had been unveiled earlier this week.

Mazansaran outfit scooped the top honor in the team division of the tournament, having racked up 41 points.

It was followed by representatives from North Khorasan side in the second spot, who accumulated 40 points. Wrestlers from Razavi Khorasan squad claimed the third place with 30 points.

The 2018 National Senior Pahlavani Wrestling Championship kicked off in Mashhad on January 10, and finished the next day.

Wrestlers compete during Iran’s National Senior Pahlavani Wrestling Championship at Shahid Beheshti Sports Hall in Mashhad, northeastern Iran, on January 11, 2018.

On December 30, 2016, Sadeqzadeh won Iran’s Pahlavani Wrestling Championship in Mashhad.

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 in a match try to take control over each other by throwing the opposite combatant back on his shoulders.

The wrestler is allowed to grab his opponent’s pants or belt as a grip. He can also use his 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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