Mehman

Rostam

Why not Rostam ;-)

Orang

We should not call them Iranian Hercules

It's better to find a name fit for an Iranian champion. An Iranian name

How about Abar Pahlevan?

Yes!

Very many famous athletes are highly intelligent people otherwise they would not reach the level of success they do. Many athletes in their later part of their lives become highly successful business owners (Michael Jordan), presidents (Ronald Regan played football, track, and swimming in college, Gerald Ford played football in college), governors (Arnold Schwarzenegger was a body builder, Jesse Ventura was a wrestler), coaches and so on. So, there are many sportsmen who are also intelligent, however popular intellectuals are not usually known for playing sports. Nelson Mandela played soccer regularly during his 18 years in prison on Robben Island. Einstein probably played hockey in the old Germany. Ahmadinejad played soccer in their neighborhood alley, but I don’t know if he qualifies as an intellectual or not.

Fair and right question

Here in US, who are more favorable, athletics and artists of all kinds or intellectuals? Has any intellectual ever been a celebrity beside Einstein?

Pahlavan parvar

Another great champion. Another man who makes all proud.

And also another shining example that in Iran physical strength -- zoor e baazoo, and all kinds of zoor -- trumps intellectual strength.

Do we have any Iranian intellectual who is generally liked (forget about loved) on the same level as a sportsman? By religious AND secular Iranians?

Am I asking the wrong question? Is this the case with every society, not just Iran? Or is it more acute in Iran? I don't know.