The unlikely bond between an Iranian wrestler and a Bristol vicar

Offering top level Olympic wrestling, a range of therapies and a much needed sense of belonging, new social project Wrestle for Humanity has launched at a church in north Bristol.

Could this unlikely association between a Persian Olympic wrestler and a vicar breathe new life into an underused space and raise aspiration in the community?

It’s not such a strange prospect. Steeped in tradition, wrestling is recognised by UNESCO as the oldest sport in the world. Even the Bible makes reference to Jacob wrestling an angel.

Rather than striking, Pahlevani wrestling teaches students the art of grace under pressure, a great metaphor for dealing with the pressure that life can throw at us and one that reverend James Wilson can get on board with.

St Gregory the Great on Filton Road in Horfield officially opened its heavy oak doors to Wrestle for Humanity, a unique community Olympic wresting club and mental heath intervention service run by coach Saeed Esmaeli, whose mission is to make wrestling accessible and to help people feel good and perform well both on and off the mat.

Having experienced war, revolution and poverty, Iranian-born Saeed has overcome racism, bullying and grief and understands adversity. He brings a message of hope in his ‘infused psychology’ one-on-ones and in every community wrestling class.

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Saeed’s unconventional approach fuses wrestling, psychology and dance, drawing on his credentials as an internationally renowned Olympic wrestling coach, performance psychologist and therapist and years as a professional dancer in Bristol group The Floor Technicians.

Magnetic, engaging and friendly, he is known across Europe as a creative coach and has worked with wrestlers including the first ever African American Olympic gold medallist, Kenny Monday, and Lee Kemp, a three-time world champion and USA Olympic coach who says that Saeed’s combination of movement and psychology is “unprecedented”.

The values that the club get students to practice are rooted in Pahlavani wrestling traditions whereby athletes train body and mind and do good deeds in the community.

“It’s not purely selfless,” says Saeed. “People feel good themselves when they help others – the ancients knew it but science can now prove this.”

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The parallels with the church’s teachings are clear and for Father James it was a match made in heaven.

“People are craving a deeper connection and a bit more purpose,” Father James says. “This club gives people a sense that there is something bigger that unites us and ties us together as a community.

“Students can feel the love and safety here with Saeed, it’s a rare thing.”

Wrestle for Humanity’s 2021 fundraising challenge aims to give hope help to people like David Wellington:

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/wrestleforhumanity

For more information about Saeed’s classes, visit www.facebook.com/Infusedwrestlingclub

Read more: Inside Rock’n’Rumble’s charity wrestling event

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