BBC

Musicians and athletes from Iran who have settled in Northern Ireland are among more than 8,000 people from the country who have applied for asylum in the United Kingdom over the past year.

There are no exact figures for how many Iranians are living in NI.

But as protests continue across Iran on the issue of women's rights, BBC News NI spoke to some of those who have fled.

Among them is Mehdi Zoodashna.

He was a champion Greco Roman wrestler in Iran and has been in Northern Ireland for four months with his wife Diana Amini, who is a champion rower and coach.

Wrestling in the colours of the Barbarians club in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Mehdi grappled his way to gold at the British Wrestling Championships last month - topping the podium in the Greco Roman category of the tournament in Manchester.

It was the first medal he's won since being in Northern Ireland, and he said his sights were now set on the Olympics.

"I really like Northern Ireland, the people are lovely and we get a lot of positive energy from them," he said.

"They are helping us to progress in our life and in our sport, and be more motivated.

"I've been a wrestler in my country and I work out a lot so I've just continued my job here and I achieved the medal here in Northern Ireland.

"The biggest dream for any professional like me is to participate in the Olympics.

"I've been fighting a lot, all my life, for this goal."

'We had to leave'

Of leaving Iran, the 30-year-old said: "Of course nobody wants to move out of their motherland but we've been struggling a lot with political, economic and social issues and we couldn't focus on our goal, every day we were focusing on the problems.

"Of course I'm eager to build up a new life here - I really want to develop in my sport and I want to help young people here develop in the sport."

Diana Amini says her Lagan Dragon teammates are like family
Since arriving in Northern Ireland, Diana Amini has been coaching the Lagan Dragons, a dragon boat club for people affected either directly or indirectly by breast cancer.

"I really like Northern Ireland and I'm feeling safe here. I've found lots of good friends, they've supported me and make me feel like I'm making progress.

"There are lots of issues in Iran at the minute and specifically because we work in sport, we had to leave."

Of her Lagan Dragon crew mates, Diana said: "I really love them, they treat me really good and we are like a family here.

"They are always telling me they support me, they love me. And I hope I can find my confidence back as a coach.

"Back in Iran I felt like they didn't appreciate me or what I've done but as I've come here, they tell me I have a very important job to do and they really appreciate me, it's a big deal really.

"They understand me. I have a lot of experience, I've been in this sport around 15 years and I'm educated in my sport. I like to pass on my experience to others and help."

The couple are keen to work in Northern Ireland as soon as possible but are currently unable to because of their asylum status.

"People need to work so they can get whatever they need and to focus on our goals - but the problem is now we are waiting on the Home Office decision," Diana said.

"Before that we cannot do work, we cannot enter some competitions so it's really hard for us.

"As a sportswoman I fight a lot to achieve my goals, and I've already been fighting for my life, so I don't want to be pessimistic - I want to be optimistic and I see the future really bright." >>>