Saed News: Haj Ebrahim Yazdi, known as “Yazdi Bozorg” (Ebrahim the Great), was the first champion wrestler of Iran and the Qajar court during the reign of Naser al-Din Shah. He was ordered by the king to come from Yazd to Tehran, and after defeating his opponents, he received the title of the first champion (Pahlevan-e Aval) from Naser al-Din Shah.
According to SAEDNEWS, citing Mashregh, Haj Ebrahim Yazdi was still a teenager when he developed a leg problem. After doctors recommended exercise, he turned to wrestling and, due to his large and strong physique, defeated all the local wrestlers in his city.
When he was 20 years old, his fame reached Tehran, and Naser al-Din Shah ordered him to be brought to the capital. It is reported that Ebrahim was warmly welcomed in every city along the route from Yazd to Tehran. On Nowruz (Persian New Year) in 1266 AH, he was brought before the Shah at Arg Square in Tehran.
During the celebrations, the Shah ordered him to wrestle the first and second court champions, Pahlevan Maraghei and Shaban Siah. Ebrahim defeated both famous wrestlers on the same day and became the first champion of the capital, receiving the champion armband from the Shah.
After that, Naser al-Din Shah ordered famous wrestlers from all over Iran to come to Tehran and challenge him. One after another, strongmen from different regions came to wrestle but were defeated.
It is said that Haj Ebrahim never lost his back to the ground throughout his life. At the age of 50, he drew a match with the wrestler Akbar Khorasani and then gave up the champion title. He even reportedly defeated a Russian wrestler during the Shah’s trip to Russia.
Later, due to the Shah’s admiration, he was given the title “Pahlevan Bashi” and was appointed to train young wrestlers in the royal court. In his later years, his leg pain returned, and he was forced to walk with a cane until his death in 1322 AH.
There are no photos from his youth, but court photographer Reza Akkasbashi captured an image of him after his championship period, showing him in wrestling attire holding a cane. Two other photos attributed to Antoin Sevruguin show him standing with a cane near the wrestling pit during Nowruz celebrations in Golestan Palace.
