Today (January 7th) marks the 58th anniversary of the passing of Gholamreza Takhti, the enduring symbol of chivalry, humility and public spirit in Iranian sport.
Iran
NOC; Tehran: Born in Tehran in 1930, Takhti began wrestling at a young age and
quickly rose to prominence, winning eight national titles across three weight
classes and being crowned Iran’s Pahlavan on three occasions. On the
international stage, he claimed silver at the 1951 World Championships and went
on to build a remarkable record, including Olympic gold and silver medals,
multiple world championship titles, and gold at the 1958 Asian Games.
Takhti
was the first Iranian wrestler to win medals in three different weight
categories and remains the most decorated Iranian wrestler in Olympic history.
Beyond his achievements on the mat, he earned lasting respect for his character
and deep bond with the people. More than five decades after his death in 7th of
January 1968, Takhti is still remembered not only as a champion, but as a moral
icon who transcended his era and became part of the collective memory of a
nation.