Tehran, Jan 6 (IRNA/APP): A ceremony will be held to mark the 58th anniversary of the passing of Gholamreza Takhti, the legendary Iranian wrestling champion and enduring symbol of sportsmanship and morality, in Rey County, where he is laid to rest, on Wednesday, January 7.
Takhti was born in Tehran on September 5, 1930, and passed away on January 7, 1968. The anniversary of his passing has been designated as a day to honor his name and legacy.
The ceremony will be attended by veteran athletes, sports figures, young wrestlers, families, and admirers of Iran’s traditional culture of chivalry.
Takhti is remembered not only for his remarkable sporting achievements, but also for his humility, compassion, and lifelong support for the underprivileged, qualities that made him a lasting role model for generations.
Organizers say the ceremony aims to promote ethics, responsibility, and human dignity in sports and society.
Takhti won Iran’s first Olympic gold medals at the 1956 Melbourne Games, along with Imam Ali Habibi, and earned one Olympic gold and two silver medals, as well as multiple world and Asian titles.
He died under suspicious circumstances at the height of his popularity, and questions surrounding his death remain unresolved decades later. His name and path, however, continue to live on in the hearts of the Iranian people.
Gholamreza Takhti won 1 gold and 2 silver medals at the Olympic Games as well as 2 gold and 2 silver medals at the World Championships, the official website of the United World Wrestling reports.
Owing to his good sportsmanship, he has been considered as one of the most beloved athletes of Iran and dubbed ‘Jahan Pahlavan’ which means ‘world champion’ in Persian language.