Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Wrestling helping youngsters get a grip on their lives
A top wrestling coach is using the sport to bring positive change to people’s lives and to be a major force for good in society, as Neil Maggs reports
AFAMILY tradition is being passed down to help support young people, some of whom are involved in knife crime and gangs in Bristol.
Saeed Esmaeli, who runs Infused Wrestling Club, has launched an initiative called ‘Wrestling for Humanity’, teaching young people and adults skills to equip them to avoid trouble.
The well-known Bristol Olympic wrestling coach, comes from a family with a rich wrestling heritage from
Iran – arguably the world’s leading country for the sport.
His late father, Amir, was part of the traditional ‘pahlavani’ wrestling, which means the ‘champions of champions’ and is used for the good of the community.
The Esmaeli family came to Bristol in 1987, bringing their wrestling with them. In the days of big names on our screens such as Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks, and the American WWE, wrestling in the UK was largely seen as entertainment, and often ‘fixed’.
But the type of wrestling that the Esmaelis brought was an altogether different proposition. In Iran, it has ancient and profound roots and is seen as a way of life.
Saeed said: “It is very important in Iran, the highest form of discipline – a path which encompasses your whole being.
“My father was a community leader and brought his knowledge and skills to the UK.”
Amir was a giant of a man – both in terms of stature and personality – and ran the highly successful Universal gym on Redcross Street, Easton. His influence on young people and the community has been marked by a plaque erected outside in his honour.
Saeed said: “Whenever there was a problem with gangs, my dad would help them. He got people off the street and into the gym. Got them off drugs, always helped with any bullying situation.
“My dad was a peacemaker, and sorted out lots of conflicts with love and compassion.”
Well known for wrestling, Amir was also a corner man for all the big boxers under Chris Sanigar, such as former champions Glen Catley and Ross Hale.
After Amir died, Saeed made a promise to pick up the mantle.
“It is the same idea,” he said. “I honour that teaching, and it’s based on that. It’s just now with a bit more intellectualism.”
Saeed runs Esmaeli Wrestling and coaches high-level competitors in Olympic wrestling, and professional mixed martial artists such as Nad Narimani, Bristol’s only UFC fighter. He has built up a big reputation as one of the best wrestling coaches in Europe, combining applications of technique and psychology to the highest standard.
His new venture, Infused Wrestling Club has a broader focus on beginners and young people and in addressing issues in the wider community.
His current classes take place at City Academy on Wednesdays, using wrestling as a vehicle for social change.
He said: “We are working with some young people from close to the City Academy school, around Barton Hill, Easton and Lawrence Hill.
“This area can have challenges for young people and we are seeing more knife crime. I understand all
We want to encourage young people to
come, get off the streets and get some different ideas, change some habits. That’s what we are here to do
SAEED ESMAELI
this – I grew up there and went to school here. I have seen it all around me.”
Coming to the UK as a migrant, Saeed can connect with the experiences of young people in the area, many with different cultural heritages.
“When I came to England from Iran I lost lots of confidence, I couldn’t speak the language and I saw problems around and also got into trouble,” he said.
“So we want to encourage young people to come, get off the streets and get some different ideas, change some habits. That’s what we are here to do.”
The classes he has run over the years have been nomadic, moving from gym to gym. He is now looking for a stable base, in order for his Infused Wrestling club to grow and have a sustainable offer for the community.
He said: “We have had to move around at different centres over the years in order to use the mats they have there.
“Wrestling mats are quite specific in thickness and style… and expensive. There aren’t lots of places that
have them on site, but we don’t.”
Fundraising to get their own mats and centre is a key objective for Saeed, and something that will enable him to stay and build his club. A number of events are planned, including a fundraising wrestling festival on August 31 and September 1 at Sweatbox Gym in Bedminster.
Saeed is also launching what he calls the tee-shirt challenge, where people get a branded wrestling teeshirt and commit to raise at least £250 for the charity.
One person who has already made the commitment is mayor Marvin Rees, who will be taking his children on a sponsored ascent of Pen-y-fan in Wales.
Saeed said: “It’s great the mayor has taken this on. We have known each other a long time.
“He is very keen to support us and brings his kids along to sessions sometimes.”
Raising funds and supporting the community is very much in line with the traditions of Iranian wrestling, where clubs are seen as a valuable part of the fabric of society, offering support to those in need. The wrestling itself is about ‘developing inner strength through outer strength’ and offering services to the community, embodying kindness.
Saeed said: “It is an ancient tradition in Iran and the first sport of the country. It comes with a high degree of honour and the pahlavani origins are also about giving back.
“There is no such word in English to describe it, but the closest meaning is ‘giftism’.
“This is defined as a radical act of generosity to change the world.”
Giftism, Saeed said, involved people in society giving back to noble causes, of which his club was one.
“We want peace in the community and feel through wrestling we can help achieve that. We are already making a difference to people’s lives and need that to continue.”
The club wants to be in a position to offer affordable and regular practice.
Saeed said: “Lots of young people cannot afford martial arts clubs.
“So we want to offer cheap sessions, even free for some, to come and train. We want a cheap hall where we can pull mats out and offer wrestling five nights a week.
“So, with people offering gifts and fundraising, we are able to make a real difference to people’s lives.”
Amir has lit a flame and has a place in the hearts of many Bristolians in the martial arts and fight world, and his son Saeed is following this tradition, using wrestling in his own words ‘for humanity’. Such a focus is arguably much-needed in these difficult times.