Politics take a pin as Iran meet open
Pat Galbincea
Plain Dealer Reporter
There is political tension between the United States and Iran, but it didn’t apply to 14 U.S. wrestlers including St. Edward High graduate Andy Hrovat, who were warmly received Tuesday in the southern city of Bandar Abbas.
The U.S. wrestlers, wearing jackets emblazoned with “USA Wrestling,” were greeted at the airport by local officials and young girls in traditional Iranian dresses who handed them bouquets of white and pink flowers.
Hrovat, 26, who won two state titles at St. Edward (1997-98), will be competing Thursday and Friday in the Takhti Cup ” also known as the Persian Gulf Cup ” which is the top tournament in Iran. He will compete at 185 pounds.
The fact that wrestling is Iran’s national sport, and this is Hrovat’s second time in Iran, is a major reason he said he has no concern for his safety.
“Wrestling is not the same in the United States like it is in Iran,” said Hrovat, speaking through a link with USA Wrestling headquarters in Boulder Springs, Colo. “We’re treated here like NBA players or NFL players.
Wrestling is their No. 1 sport, and their people love wrestling and the competition.
“I have no fears for my safety. The people respect the sport too much for anything to happen to us. In my first trip there, I was amazed the way the people cheered for us even when we were winning.”
It’s the sixth time U.S. wrestlers will be competing in the Takhti Cup, but the first since hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad came to power in 2005.
Hrovat earned a spot on the U.S. freestyle team last year, competing in September at the World Championships in Guangzhou, China. He lost his opening-round match, 2-2, 3-5, to Vadim Laliev of Armenia. When Laliev lost in the second round, Hrovat lost his chance to place in the wrestlebacks.
“But I learned that I can become a world champion,” he said. “That’s all I want, to be a world champion.”
At one point, Hrovat wasn’t certain the U.S. team would be allowed to compete in Iran.
“The State Department was debating whether we should go, especially after what happened to Saddam in Iraq,” Hrovat said. “The U.S. and Iran have little in common these days except for wrestling.” The U.S. team ” as a goodwill gesture ” was exempted from having their fingerprints taken.
But the Associated Press reported that Iranian media gave low-key coverage of the wrestlers’ arrival.
The visit came on the same day a U.S. aircraft carrier group was heading for that region in what Washington said is “a show of strength” directed at Tehran.
Bandar Abbas lies on the northern side of the Strait of Hormuz, the entrance to the Gulf which is patrolled by U.S. warships. American battleships can be seen from the city.
Following the Takhti Cup ” which brings teams from Iran and several Central Asian countries ” Hrovat said he will return to the states and compete Feb. 6 in the Chicago Cup at Northwestern against the Russians in a dual meet.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Wrestling Gear
