Damascus, Oct. 25 (SANA) Syrian Greco-Roman wrestler Alaa al-Karad has built a career spanning more than three decades, winning medals at Arab and Asian competitions before continuing his sporting journey in Germany, where he is now passing his passion for wrestling to his three sons.
The 43-year-old athlete told SANA that his wrestling career began at the age of six with Syria’s al-Shouleh Club under coach Imad Kanhoush.
His early training focused on physical fitness and the fundamentals of wrestling before progressing to technical skills, balance, concentration and control. He said discipline and respect were essential values instilled in him from the beginning.
Titles and medals at Arab and Asian championships
Al-Karad went on to represent the Syrian national team and al-Jaish Club, competing in national and international wrestling championships.
He won the Arab Championship in Damascus in 2003 and secured another Arab title in Jordan in 2004. He also claimed a silver medal at the Asian Championship in 2004.
The achievements established his record in Greco-Roman wrestling, a discipline in which competitors are prohibited from attacking below the waist or using their legs to execute holds.
A new chapter in Germany
Al-Karad moved to Germany in 2015 but remained committed to wrestling despite a five-year break from competition.
He said he joined a German Bundesliga wrestling club in 2016, resuming training and taking part in competitive events.
During his time competing in Germany, he won one gold and two silver medals. He also secured gold medals at international tournaments in Stuttgart, Germany, and the Netherlands.
His return to competition marked a new phase in a career that began in Syria and continued abroad.
Wrestling becomes a family tradition
Al-Karad’s involvement in wrestling now extends to the next generation, with all three of his sons practicing the sport and achieving notable results in competitions in recent years.
Their participation reflects the influence of a father who has remained involved in wrestling since childhood, carrying his experience from Syrian clubs and international championships to his life in Germany.
For al-Karad, the sport has become more than a record of medals and titles. It is also a way to pass on the discipline, respect and determination that shaped his own career.
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