Interview
An exclusive interview with the head of the strongest women in Asia
The strongest Iranian women are in their way
Shirzanan –fereshteh Movahed: some years ago when the competition between the strongest Iranian men became a very popular TV program, female viewers became very interested. The contest involved some acts like pulling, pushing, lifting.
The head of the strongest women in Asia is an Iranian woman and that made me curious to make an appointment for an interview with her; I thought of her as a huge plumped woman, but she is a mother and so far from huge: her name is Nastaran Fathalahy, born in 1977. She became the head of Asia’s strongest women in 2005.
Who is Nastaran Fathallahy, I asked her?
She is the head of the strongest women committee in Asia; I practiced in different athletic fields since my childhood. I was a professional flight attendant and I married Omid Amiri, the head of the strongest Iranian men committee and the head of the confederation of the strongest men in Asia.
So you win your title through your marriage?
Maybe, but Omid and I organized lots of competitions and contests and I was always the coordinator; it is very hard to design the competition, to plan for the opening and closing ceremonies and … I showed everyone that I am capable, and when in 2005 the committee for the strongest men in Asia was founded; I became the head of women’s division.
Did we have such an organization before for women?
Not al all, I am the first one and I would like to expand this in other Middle Eastern countries. I know three languages besides farsi; Arabic, French, English and this helped me a lot in my coordinating tasks.
Do have an office? How is paying for the expenses?
I have an office in Dubai, I pay for all my expenses my self.
how do you plan to attract women in Iran? Do you participate in the contests yourself?
No I don’t compete; I am planning to put public announcements in clubs and stadiums. I will see in what level we are; we will have our first contest in Iran among Muslim women of other countries.
Are these contests for some special athletes?
I try to focus on Bodybuilding athletes first; since people are not familiar with this type of competitions. People need to learn various techniques and more than bodybuilding’s. But we have to use bodybuilding athletes since we have no other choice.
Are women’s contests the same as men’s?
when almost, just the weights are different. We do not have a federation; men’s have an organization women’s organization is still at hand.
Do you think this idea will be well received by people?
I am not sure, I know women were very interested in men’s contest. So I think since this activity is not known to people we cannot say much now.
Where in the world this competition is popular the most?
In America; we were invited by them (the men’s team)
If you do not see a good potential would you let it go?
Well getting the permission for the contest is really hard, I hope to publicize the matter and have a competition in Dubai. My first goal is to make this activity popular and know. I only hope to get to see a federation which is interested in covering the Strongest women contest as part of their program.
