Wrestling in Iran

Iranian Wrestling, also known as "Koshti" (literally, "killing") in Persian, has a very long tradition and history in Iran. It has been practiced since the ancient times in different parts of greater Iran in various styles among which "Pahlavani" wrestling is the most popular. The Iranian wrestling styles can be divided into two major categories; in one category lifting and throwing the opponent is considered victory, whereas in the other category bringing part or all of the opponent's back, the knee, or the arm to the ground is considered victory.

Notable styles of this wrestling include:

* "Pahlavani" (or Zurkhaneh) "style" (Iran-wide)
* "Bachoukheh style" (Khorasan province)
* "Chukha style" (Khorasan province)
* "Gileh-Mardi style" (Gilan, Mazandarann and Golestan Provinces)
* "Check-Chisht" (Mazandaran province)
* "Loucho style" (Mazandaran province)
* "Tourkamani style" or Kurash (Golestan Province)
* "Ashirma style" (East Azarbaijan Province)
* "Kamari style" (Azerabijan region, Ghezel Bash Turks)
* "Baghal-be-Baghal style" (Qazvin province)
* "Zouran Patouleh" and "Zouran Machkeh styles" (Kordestan province)
* "Catch Gardan style" (Sistan and Baluchistan Province)
* "Zhir-o-bal style" (Kordish regions; Kordestan, Kermanshah, Ilam provinces)
* "Jang style" (Lurestan and Chahar Mahal va Bakhtyari Provinces)
* "Maghli style" (Chahar Mahal va Bakhtyari Province)
* "Lori style" ("Lorestan province")
* "Dasteh Baghal style" (Fars province)
* "Lashgarkeshi style" (Yazd province)
* "Kamarbandi style" (Esfahan province)
* "Kaviri style" (Kerman province)

ee also

* Varzesh-e Pahlavani
* Zurkhaneh

External links

* [http://youtube.com/watch?v=pFsQeDFbptc "Documentary Video of Iranian wrestling conditioning]
* [http://www.wrestling.ir/iranian_wrestling_style.htm Iranian wrestling styles]
* [http://www.wrestling.ir/ Amateur Wrestling Federation of the I.R. Iran]