The IKA media team continues to present interviews of the participants of the World Championship
Korush Khosroyar – Member of the IKA Refereeing Committee
I live in Khorasan province of Iran. Khorasan is literally one of the sports centers of Iran. This province has grown a huge number of champions in kurash, judo and other types of martial arts.
About 34 years ago, I started practicing the sport of judo. I became the champion of Iran among juniors, the champion of the Iranian Universiade. Then I started practicing kurash. Currently, I have continued my career as a kurash coach. During my 10 year coaching career, I have trained a huge number of talented students. Along with coaching, I also studied the profession of a referee. I became an international-level judo referee. I have participated in about 50 continental judo championships, national and international tournaments.
My refereeing in kurash began in 2002. I participated in the Pouria Vali Cup in our country and after that I became a member of the Kurash family.
Now I am a 3-star level kurash referee. I am a member of the jury of the International Kurash Association.
In our country, the training of referees is carried out on the basis of the territorial and national system, that is, first we train referees of regional federations. Referees selected from them participate in seminars on national refereeing at the national level. This system is held regularly every year and the group of the most talented referees is formed.
I think referee should provide the most correct assessment when it is necessary to know the situation more clearly than any of the athletes. You also need to be cool enough to assess the athlete’s position and withstand the pressure of the audience.
Do you know how the most difficult competition in my referee career passed?
In 2017, Al Hakim At Termizi International Tournament for the prize of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan was held in Termez in Uzbekistan.
The quarter-final of the tournament, if I’m not mistaken, the winning athlete passed to the semifinal.
I was responsible for the competition between the kurash legend Abdullah Tangeriev from Uzbekistan and his young rival from Kazakhstan.
There were more than 10 000 spectators in the stadium. They all applauded for Abdullah Tangriev. During the competition when the gesture was shown, the whole audience thought it was shown to an Uzbek athlete, but a point was awarded to a Kazakh athlete. Referees approved my decision. Although I myself was also a fan of Abdullah, the Kazakh athlete defeated the kurash legend Abdullah Tangriev. This was Abdulla Tangriyev’s last competition. He wanted to finish his career as a winner in his hometown. This argument was very difficult for me.
The referee should be guided by the principles of justice and decency. He doesn’t forgive even a simple mistake.
I am glad that I will participate in the World Kurash Senior Championship. At this seminar, that will be organized within the World Championship, we will discover new strong referees.
I am aware about a preparation works for the Championship. I express my sincere gratitude to the organizers, President and the Secretary General of the International Kurash Association.
I can say with confidence that the refereeing system of the International Kurash Association is quite well established. Our referees will be sorted according to the new system. Great opportunities are being created for them. I believe that this system will soon give its positive results.
