Fearsome Wrestlers

The story opens with a team of wrestlers in Chechnya, Russia. For many years the city could not participate in the olympics because they would not take them. Chechnya tried to break away from Russia, which led to war. Now things are different mostly because of the new political and fighting hero Ramzan A. Kadyrov. However, many view him as something much different because he has been accused of beating, toturing and killing rebels and their families. He is a man of pride and denies these allegations so that he may not look like such a brute. This article relates to the whole theme of pride in The Iliad because pride can turn you into someone you do not want to become. Hector's pride made him delusional as did Mr. Kadyrov. Well according to this article anyway. It seems that Ramzan like Hector and Achilles has lost his way. I would read this again because I have never heard of Chechnya and it sounds like an interesting place. They are very athletic, which is probably why 2 gold medals came out of there this year.

Chivers, C.J.. "Wrestlers Wrest Heritage From Wars’ Wreckage ." New York Times A624 Sep 2008 1. 25 Sep 2008 .