Pahlevan of Iran

Though the competition has ancient roots, its modern form began in 1944.

[1][2] The champion earns the title of Pahlevan and the right to wear the Bazouband (championship armband).

Described as "tangled up with the soul of Iranian peoples", the title is athletically and culturally prestigious in Iran.

In Shahnameh, the word Pahlevan is referred to its ancient status as a title of honour granted by Shah of Persia.

Pahlavan title was granted by the shah to the candidates whom beside their athletic manner, honesty, righteous were brave warrior; and the hero Rostam was given the title of Jahan Pahlavan (Persian: جهان پهلوان), a title higher than Pahlavan, which most recently is used for Gholamreza Takhti.

Mostafa Tousi, 3-times winner (1323–25)
Ahmad Vafadar , 3-times winner (1329–31)
Abbas Zandi , with 4 titles (1328, 1332–35) and the youngest Pahlevan ever (18 years old) [ 1 ]
Gholamreza Takhti , 3-times winner (1336–38) was nicknamed Jahan Pahlevan [ 1 ]
Alireza Soleimani has the most titles (6-times in total: 1358,1361–62, 1364–65, 1369) and is nicknamed Pahlevan Bashi [ 1 ]
Rostam and Sohrab , two of the Pahlevan in Shahnameh