Abedin Gilo Lame
LIEUTENANT COLONEL · NATIONAL CHAMPION · FOUNDER OF WRESTLING AT FK PARTIZANI
The immortal champion of Albanian wrestling, Lieutenant Colonel, Commander of ROS, and founder of FK Partizani Wrestling Section.
Early Life and Family
Born on 27 September 1954 in Tirana, Abedin Lame grew up in a prominent military family with deep patriotic roots. His father, Gilo Lamaj (Lame), was a veteran partisan officer and long-time trusted personal bodyguard of Prime Minister Mehmet Shehu. In 1966 the family moved to Ramicë in the Vlorë region. The Lame family produced several military officers, instilling in Abedin strong values of discipline, patriotism, and excellence from an early age.
Education
Abedin Lame combined academic excellence with athletic talent. He graduated from the United Higher Officers’ School “Enver Hoxha” (Faculty of Artillery) in 1977, earned a diploma from the Vojo Kushi Higher Institute of Physical Education, and completed additional studies at the University of Tirana, Faculty of Philology in 1986.
Discovery of Talent
At just 15 years old in 1969, while attending Skënderbej School, Abedin participated in his first major school wrestling competition. In a stunning upset, he defeated the established Master of Sport and reigning national champion Rruzhdi Kola in the final — a moment that announced the arrival of a future legend.
The Undefeated Era (1970–1983)
Abedin Lame achieved what no other wrestler in Albanian history has matched: he remained completely undefeated for 13 consecutive years (1970–1983) in all domestic competitions. He won every Albanian National Championship and Republic Cup title during this period. He also secured gold medals at the National Spartakiads in 1974 and 1979.
In 1973 he was awarded the title of Master of Sport, and in 1979 he became the first wrestler in Albania to receive the highest distinction — Honored Master of Sport. He was also the first athlete from the Vlorë region to earn this honour across all sports.
International Competitions
Despite the severe limitations imposed by Albania’s isolationist policies, Abedin represented Albania internationally on several occasions:
- World Championship – Katowice, Poland (1974)
- European Championship – Oslo, Norway (1978)
- Mediterranean Games – Athens (1991)
- Tournaments in Italy (Milone) and Greece
He often won early rounds, but political restrictions frequently resulted in automatic disqualifications when drawn against athletes from the Soviet Union or Spain.
Military Career
Abedin Lame rose through the ranks of the Albanian Armed Forces to the position of Lieutenant Colonel. In 2000 he was appointed Commander of Albania’s elite special forces unit — Reparti i Operacioneve Speciale (ROS). He successfully completed a U.S. Department of State “Hostage Negotiations” course in New Mexico and was named Honorary Mayor of Socorro, New Mexico. He also collaborated with France’s elite RAID counter-terrorism unit.
Coaching Career and FK Partizani
After retiring from active competition, Abedin founded the wrestling section at FK Partizani and served as head coach of both Partizani and the Albanian national team until 2000. Under his guidance, Partizani won 15 national championship and Republic Cup titles. He was admired for mentoring athletes like his own children, emphasising not only technique but also character and discipline.
Passing and Lasting Legacy
Abedin Gilo Lame passed away on 9 October 2002 in Tirana at the age of 48. His contributions were recognised posthumously with the Olympic Order (2003) by the Albanian Olympic Committee and the Medal “For Distinguished Services” (2011) from the Ministry of Defence.
Today, his legacy lives on through the annual Abedin Lame Cup — Albania’s premier national youth wrestling tournament — and the thriving wrestling programme at FK Partizani that he built from the ground up. He remains a symbol of unbreakable will, humility in victory, and total dedication to sport and nation.
“Themeluesi i sportit të mundjes në klubin e sportit Partizani.”
Arben Imami, Ministër i Mbrojtjes, 4 dhjetor 2011