Iranian wrestling or Koshti (Persian: کشتی|koshti) is a martial art and combat sport that has been practiced since ancient times in Iran. A form today is koshti pahlavani practiced in the zurkhaneh.[1]
While regional variations differ from one province to another. Olympic freestyle wrestling is often referred to as the "first sport" of Iran. Women's wrestling is less popular in Iran and Iranian women wrestlers have international and domestic records and honors. Iran has won 47 Olympic medals for wrestling.
In 2024, reports of the migration of Iranian women wrestlers have been published. Focusing on women's hijab problems in Iran. Melika Balali, an Iranian wrestler, also mentioned women's wrestling problems in Iran.[2]
Wrestling in Iran, like weightlifting, can be traced to the ancient Persian sport of Varzesh-e-Bastani,[3] which translates to "ancient sport."
This practice has survived into the modern era through various attempts to downplay the pre-Islamic roots of the country. It made the transition from the Pahlavi shah's efforts to modernise the country and through the transition of the 1979 Revolution.
After the election of Mohammad Khatami as president in 1997, he considered wrestling as a possible way to reopen diplomatic relations between Iran and U.S, after nearly two decades. This was an Iranian take on Nixon-era "ping pong" diplomacy with China.[4]
In Feb. 2017 Iran planned on denying visas to U.S. wrestlers for the Freestyle World Cup. This was done in response to President Trump's travel ban to seven Muslim majority countries. The decision to bar U.S. participants was eventually overturned by Iranian officials after a U.S. federal judge temporarily blocked Trump's ban on Iranians traveling to the U.S.[5]
One professional wrestling promotion that operates in Iran is the Iran Wrestling Group (IWG). The promotion was founded in 2009. They have run shows including "IWG First War" and "IWG Lord of the Ring."[6]
Professional wrestler Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri was born in Tehran, Iran March 14, 1942.
After the 1979 revolution, Iranian women's wrestling, although faced with limitations, was able to achieve domestic and international achievements. However, it has more financial problems than men's wrestling.[7] [8]
Wrestling is the first sport in Iran and Iranians have the highest Olympic medal for wrestling.[9] in Iran two notable styles are for wrestling: