Wrestling, known as “koshti,” isn’t just a sport in Iran; it’s a living echo of a pre-Islamic past, woven into the very fabric of the nation’s identity. For centuries, it has embodied a code of honor – kindness, chivalry, and humility – inspiring the nation’s most beloved stories and shaping its understanding of heroism.
But on the eve of Nowruz, the ancient Iranian New Year, a chilling act shattered the spirit of resilience. Saleh Mohammadi, a gifted young wrestler, was executed alongside two others, a brutal demonstration of power and a deliberate assault on Iran’s cultural heritage.
The timing was no accident. As the wounds of recent massacres still burned and Iranians prepared to celebrate Nowruz, the regime delivered a stark reminder of its control, silencing voices and punishing the celebration of a history it seeks to erase.
Mohammadi, Saeed Davudi, and Mehdi Ghassemi were condemned for alleged crimes – killing police officers, inciting violence, and waging war against God. Their public execution in Qom, the heart of Shi’a piety, sent a terrifying message throughout the country.
This isn’t an isolated incident. A growing list of athletes – a soccer player, a water polo goalkeeper, a marathon runner, a kickboxing champion, and more – are now reportedly held in solitary confinement, facing the same grim fate. The threat of a catastrophic human rights crisis looms large.
These trials, condemned as “sham trials” based on torture and forced confessions, reveal a disturbing pattern. The regime isn’t simply seeking justice; it’s systematically dismantling the symbols of Iranian pride and identity.
The case of Navid Afkari, another star wrestler hanged in 2020, serves as a chilling precedent. Despite international outcry, his life was taken, highlighting the regime’s willingness to silence even its most celebrated figures.
This isn’t about sports, but about crushing the Iranian spirit, according to activists. The execution of these heroes is a calculated attempt to dismantle the very essence of what it means to be Iranian, to erase the dignity of a people.
The roots of this conflict lie in the revolution itself, a struggle to redefine Iranian identity. Ayatollah Khomeini viewed Iranian nationalism as a threat to Islam, seeking to replace a rich history with the doctrines of Shi’ism.
He openly ridiculed pre-Islamic figures, dismissing Cyrus the Great and Anushirvan the Just, attempting to sever the connection between Iranians and their ancestral past. This deliberate campaign to rewrite history continues today.
But Iranians have resisted, fiercely protecting their heritage. They formed human barriers to save the ancient ruins of Persepolis and gathered at the tomb of Cyrus the Great, chanting slogans of national pride during Nowruz. Even in baby names, a subtle rebellion takes hold, with “Shahan” – meaning “king” – surpassing “Mohammad” in popularity.
It’s tragically ironic that wrestlers, the embodiment of Iran’s ancient traditions of strength and heroism, have become prime targets. The regime values their silencing as an example far more than any Olympic medal they might win.
Wrestling is Iran’s most successful Olympic sport, responsible for a significant portion of the nation’s medals. To systematically dismantle this pillar of Iranian identity is a perverse act, a tragic illustration of the regime’s priorities.
The clerics aren’t simply punishing athletes; they’re attempting to normalize the absurd. The execution of Mohammadi and his friends is a chilling parallel to a hypothetical act of unimaginable cruelty in any nation – a deliberate attempt to break the spirit of a people through senseless violence.
Welcome to the Islamic Republic of Absurdity, where history is rewritten, heroes are silenced, and the very essence of Iranian identity is under attack.
