Waterside Sharks freestyle wrestler, Mohammad Ali, is aiming to compete for Britain at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Mohammad, originally from Shiraz in Iran, has been living in Derry for the last two years. Since his arrival, he has become an integral part of the local wrestling club.
Mohammad is currently an International Partner with the Great Britain team an
d has competed at several competitions.
His most recent was at a training camp in Vladikavkaz in Ossetia, Russia, where he defeated current world champion at 84kgs Zaurbek Sokhiev, from Uzbekistan.
"The weight that I compete in at the minute is 74kgs but last month I beat Sokhiev and he is ten kilograms heavier than me," said Mohammad.
"I cannot emphasise enough the quality of wrestlers at the training camp. There were Olympic, European and World champions. It was such a great experience."
Waterside Sharks’ head coach and Chairman of Northern Ireland Wrestling, Barry Pollin, says that Mohammad's input to local sport since arriving in the city has been invaluable.
"Mohammad coaches senior classes for all levels at the YMCA in Drumahoe every Thursday evening. He is also working towards a level two judo coaching qualification that will enable him to teach judo in some of the local schools. Already, myself and Mohammad have visited Lisneal Primary School, Eglinton Primary School and Oakgrove Primary School."
Mohammad is unable to represent Great Britain at any of the top European and World competitions because he has already represented Iran. However, because Great Britain is a developing country in terms of wrestling, they are sometimes given dispensations allowing them to have wrestlers who have represented other countries become part of their team.
Mohammad might get a shot at the World Championships next year because the British Wrestling Association has been given "a special dispensation" by the world Governing Body (FILA) to use one of their International Training Partners to represent the nation.
Bulgarian Krasimir Krastanov is the current wrestler to avail of FILA's decision. It is hoped that Mohammad will get his turn next year.
"Mohammad is one of the best wrestlers around," said Barry. "The way we look at it is that Krastanov has had his chance and we will be lobbying for Mohammad to be given special dispensation next year. Mohammad has a few big competitions coming up in the next few months. He will compete at the British Seniors at the end of October and he will also travel to Barcelona and Nice. The next few months are vital to his career as a wrestler."
Asked if he was confident of wrestling for Great Britain in the near future, Mohammad refused to get carried away.
"I never like looking too far into the future," he said "I take everyday as it comes and all I can do is concentrate and train for my next competition. I train very hard and give every match my best shot.
"Don't get me wrong it would be fantastic if I was able to represent Great Britain but we will just have to wait and see."
