Coach Bigdely is in his first season as head coach of the OU women's wrestling program.
Before coming to OU, Bigdely was a graduate assistant coach with the University of Jamestown women’s wrestling program. In 2015, he was invited to coach at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., to help the Women’s Wrestling National Team train for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Bigdely has coached many wrestling teams in national and international competitions, leading them to a first place finish. He also coached the Tehran Wrestling Team in the Iran National Wrestling Championships in 2012 and 2013. The team earned first in 2012 and third in 2013. Bigdely served as an analyst for the Iran National Teams in 2012 London Olympics. He was also a member of the Scientific Committee of the National Olympic Committee for the Islamic Republic of IRAN for the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio Olympics. He has authored and presented more than 15 papers in scientific and scholarly conferences all around the world, of which we can name EASM, SMA, and AMA conferences.
Bigdely was raised in Tehran, Iran, where he wrestled for the Iranian National Team. He made his first appearance on the national stage as a 16 year-old, and won championships in different national and international tournaments. Bigdely last competed in 2006, placing in several international, world championships, and Asian tournaments.
He served as an instructor and coach to several top-level Iranian coaches and referees in the International Wrestling Institute of Iran to upgrade their coaching certification to international level (the highest recognized coaching certificate by FILA).
Bigdely graduated from the University of Tehran with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. He earned a master’s degree in sports management from Allameh Tabatabaie University and a master’s in education with a concentration in physical education and coaching from the University of Jamestown. He lives with his wife, Somy and his newborn son Eli.
His athletic achievements in wrestling/free style include:
• 4th place in wrestling FS youth world championship: 2001 Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
• 3rd place in Asian youth championship: 2001 Mashhad, Iran.
• 1st place in Children World Day championship for 3 years (Iran 1997‐1998‐1999).
• 1st place in Netegh Noori Int. tournament for 3 years (Iran 2000‐2001‐2002).
• 1st place in Fred & Field Int. tournament: 2002 Latvia.
• 1st place in Iranian intercollegiate championship for 2 years (2005‐ 2006).
• 1st place in Iranian country championships (1998-1999-2002-2009-2010).
• Top 10 athletes of Iran (2000).
• Appreciation award from president of I.R.IRAN Mr. Khatami in 2004 for successful sport activities and championship.
