Interview with Jaber Sabri Abdulamir, Iraqi National Team Athlete in Zurkhaneh Sports and Koshti Pahlavani

According to the Public Relations Department of the International Zurkhaneh Sports and Koshti Pahlavani Federation (IZSF), Jaber Sabri Abdulamir, a member of Iraq's National Team in Zurkhaneh Sports and Koshti Pahlavani, resides in Baghdad (the holy city of Kadhimiya).

Abdulamir says that he was introduced to Zurkhaneh Sports at the age of 12 in Kadhimiya and immediately developed a deep passion for the discipline. According to him, Zurkhaneh Sports is the world's oldest traditional sport with a rich cultural heritage. It teaches respect for both elders and younger generations and, as a sport closely associated with Imam Ali (peace be upon him), holds a unique and honorable place.

Throughout his career, Abdulamir has represented Iraq in numerous World and Asian championships. Between 2008 and 2025, he won an impressive 42 medals, including 20 gold, 12 silver, and 10 bronze medals. His first international appearance came at the age of 13 during a championship in South Korea, after which he continued competing in several international events, including competitions in India.

Speaking about the current state of Zurkhaneh Sports in Iraq, Abdulamir said:

"Unfortunately, Iraq does not have a dedicated Zurkhaneh training facility. I train in a small 4 × 4-meter hall in Kadhimiya. My equipment is around 25 years old, and due to the lack of facilities and insufficient support from the authorities, the development of this sport in Baghdad and other cities has been limited."

Despite these challenges, he emphasized that Zurkhaneh Sports enjoys considerable popularity among the Iraqi people and receives significant public interest. He expressed hope that, in the near future, it will become one of Iraq's major national sports.

Abdulamir, who is the only non-Iranian athlete to have won the Kabadeh championship title multiple times, reflected on his achievements by saying:

"There is no difference between Iraqi and Iranian athletes when it comes to winning titles—we are brothers. My love for this sport and continuous training have been the keys to my progress. Dedicated practice paves the way toward achieving one's goals."

In conclusion, he proposed that to accelerate the global development of Zurkhaneh Sports, more international competitions should initially be organized in individual disciplines. He believes that once the sport gains broader international recognition, team competitions can then be further expanded.

At the end of the interview, Jaber Sabri Abdulamir wished continued success and steady progress to everyone involved in the promotion and development of Zurkhaneh Sports and Koshti Pahlavani around the world.