From a very young age, Khalil displayed a fascination with ancient Iranian sports, especially those connected to the zurkhaneh tradition—a sacred space where physical strength, discipline, and spirituality were combined. Unlike purely competitive athletics, these practices emphasized humility, moral integrity, and service to the community. Khalil’s interest was not casual; it was obsessive and deeply personal.
By the age of 14, he had begun training seriously, dedicating himself to strength-building exercises, lifting heavy objects, and mastering physical techniques that demanded extraordinary control over the body. His mentors quickly realized that Khalil possessed a rare combination of natural power, discipline, and fearlessness.
The Formation of a Strongman
During his teenage years and early adulthood, Khalil Oqab developed skills that went far beyond conventional wrestling or weightlifting. He trained relentlessly, often under harsh conditions, gradually increasing the intensity of his feats. These were not gym-based exercises but raw demonstrations of human strength—lifting stones, pulling heavy metal bars, and enduring pain with remarkable calm.
