The word "Pehliva" is used several times in the third part of the Shahnameh (Helen Zimmern translation), particularly to refer to Sam/Saum, apparently a ruler in Seistan (which I thought might be Sistan, but that Wikipedia page says that Sistan is called Zabulistan in the Shahnameh - so I'm confused whether Seistan in the Shahnameh is a southern part of Iran or a separate kingdom lying to the south of Iran).
Seistan, which is to the south of Iran, was ruled by Sam, the Pehliva, girt with might and glory, and, but for the grief that he was childless, his days were happy.
"For thy father is Sam the hero, the Pehliva of the world, greatest among the great, and he is come hither to seek his son, and splendour awaiteth thee beside him."
"O Pehliva of the world, the Shah enjoineth you have a care of this noble youth, and guard him for the land of Iran."
What does "Pehliva" mean? At first I thought it might be a name for a ruler, like Shah - Sam is the Pehliva of Seistan? - but later they refer to him as "the Pehliva of the world". Searching Google for "pehliva"
or "pehliva" iran
gives results which are either not relevant or from this Shahnameh translation itself.