A scenario which until recently was considered unthinkable—excluding a sport that has forever been such an integral part of the modern day Olympics—has since the recent decision by the International Olympic Committee, become a reality, and the focus of Pahlavan, the documentary which I am directing. A sport so rich in history, so diverse and inclusive in its participation, is facing its biggest challenge yet, to potentially be relegated from the competition that for most wrestlers, is the pinnacle of their sport.

Pahlavan is the name of a documentary film that wants to tell wrestling’s story. The film will follow three broad story arcs. The historic event of the Takhti Cup in 1998 where the US sent their first delegation to Iran after almost two decades of a diplomatic standstill and the upcoming friendly wrestling tournament in New York between Iran and America. The final and concluding story arc will be about the upcoming IOC decision to drop wrestling from the Olympics. The decision has gained widespread media attention in addition to a grassroots campaign gaining significant traction on social media sites and among wrestling enthusiasts.

Pahlavan wants to show that wrestling is not only a sport that is accessible to anyone, regardless of background or nationality, but a vessel for sports diplomacy, and that this sport can achieve something traditional diplomacy fails at. The word Pahlavan roughly translates to “hero” or “champion” in Persian. It is often used as an affectionate term for wrestlers in Iran, because the word doesn’t just describe a person of great physical strength but also one with spiritual fortitude and a moral code of honour, a true embodiment of the Olympic spirit.

If you would like to know more about the project please visit www.pahlavanproject.com