Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-06-07

If one would see the athletes of Persia at
their best he must see them in the covered
arenas where they perform to cultured au-
dicnces.' The professionals of Persia form a
class by themselves. as distinct from other pur-
suits ~ our actors. as carefully trained. dieted
and disciplined as champion oarsmen. The
athletes OF Greece and Rome thought to MAIN
tain their prOdigiOus strength by regular. fire.
quent and violent exercises III the gymnasium.
But the Persian professionals follow quite
another course. They avoid severe e%xertion
and fatigue. They eat five or six times a day
and are warmly clothed, especially during the
cold season. As the Persians also treat their
horses IN the same way, and all the world
knows the endurance. strength and beauty of
the Persian breeds, this system NAV not be SO
absurd as 1t ~iirstappears 10 us with our different
notions and practice. These athletes on ordl-
nary occasions go abroad but once daily and
then toward evening and walk with great de-
liberation. What ls especially remarkable so
long az they pursue this profession they lead
lives OF absolute confluence. ST. Anthony was
a mere tyrO in chastity compared with the
Persian athlete, who. for no spiritual and eter-
nal advantage, but solely Cor worldly and per-
ishable objects. mOrtities the flesh.
When the period tor pTdctIcing or for OK
hibitng in public approaches the Persian
athlete lies in bed for several days gathering
force for the contest of strength. Our plan Is
to gain strength by exercise; theirs not so
much to gain as TO keep what strength they
HdNe. Strange rs lnlS theory OF the cOnSeTNa-
ton OF forces may seem, there Is yet no ques-
ton that some of these Persian athlstes some
times display prodISious power.
IN THE ARENA.
The public exhibitions are held in places
especially constructed for tine purpose. The
arena or pit is excavated at least five or SIX
feet below the surface and the earth is beaten
hard and rolled smooth. The spectators sit
Persian fashion on their knees and heels on
the floor of a gallery built around the arena and
carefully protected by an awning or roof from
the elements. The arena. whether oval or
round, mas an average circumference of one
hundred and forty feet. In the better class of
amphitheaters the floor of the arena is some
times spread with the thick massive felt carpet
called namad and the sides padded with cush-
ions 10 prevent any injury to the performers.
When time is called the athletes run forward
and leap from the gallery into the arena. some
times aliGhting and balancing themselves some
moments or one leg. a remarkable feat. They
are naked excepting a pair of clOse-titting
oreeches of leather. Their skin is oiled to en-
able them TO elude the grasp OF their oppo-
nents. A number enter the arena at once and
begin with prolonged exercises with heavy In
dian clubs. which they swing in every position,
gradually increasing the weight until toward
the close OF this practice clubs of oak are
sometimes welded in each hand weighing sixty
pounds. This club exercise continues over
two hours; the movements are made to the
accompaniment of music. and toward the
close the strongest athletes stand on one leg
and balance the clubs at arms length fer Sow
eral seconds. This species Of exercise is of
great antiquity in Persia. The athlete who
is able to outlast all the others In the club
game Is accounted the victor and receives sub
stantIal rewards from the spectators,