Ibrahim Awariki

Ibrahim Awariki joined the Osama Club in January 1948 and became Lebanese Champion in Greco-Roman Lightweight Wrestling in 1951. He won silver in the same division at the inaugural 1953 Arab Championships, gold at the 1957 edition, and came in fourth at the 1959 Mediterranean Games. He was selected to represent Lebanon at the 1960 Summer Olympics, where he was eliminated in the third round. He won gold again at the 1961 Arab Championships and continued to make appearances at the World Championships throughout the 1960s, in 1962, 1965, and 1966.

Awariki’s career as a coach and administrator began during his competitive days, but took off in the 1970s and allowed him to add the title of international wrestling referee to his accomplishments. He was involved with the Lebanese Wrestling Federation through 1999, serving briefly as its head in 1975 when he led the national team through the 1975 World Championships. He was also the head coach of the national team at the 1983 Mediterranean Games and served as President of several Lebanese sports clubs. Outside of sport, he worked for Shell in its airport division and served as President of its local labor union.