Gholamreza Takhti; Iran’s wrestling legend acclaimed on 57th death anniversary
By Reza
Abesh Ahmadlou
Staff writer
A ceremony commemorating the 57th anniversary of the death of Gholamreza Takhti, the legendary Iranian wrestler, was held Monday at his gravesite in Ebn Bebveyh Cemetery in Shahr-e Rey.
The event was attended by athletes, sports veterans, officials, Takhti’s family, and members of the public.
The titles of Pahlavan (champion) and Jahan Pahlavan (world champion) are often heard today, but they signify more than just athletic achievement or Olympic success.
These titles are deeply rooted in Iranian and Islamic culture, requiring a unique code of conduct and character that sets a Pahlavan apart from others.
During the ceremony, officials, veterans, wrestling champions, and admirers of Takhti’s legacy gathered at his gravesite, as they have in previous years.
They recited prayers, laid flowers, and honored the memory of Iran’s celebrated champion. Takhti’s enduring popularity stemmed from his connection to the people, as he fought for them in the wrestling arena.
Whether he won or lost, the public celebrated and mourned with him. Though he was unmatched against great rivals, he remained humble and grounded among the people.
Takhti was a respected figure for both friends and foes alike. His popularity is undeniable, as many of his contemporaries define fame by his name. His widespread admiration became even more evident after his passing.
Gholamreza Takhti was born on August 27, 1930, into a religious, middle-class family in Tehran’s Khaniabad neighborhood. His father, Rajab Khan, had two sons and two daughters, all older than Takhti. He began wrestling at the age of 20 at Poulad Club.
From 1950 to 1959, Takhti won eight national championships and earned the title of Pahlavan three times. He made his international debut at the 1951 World Championships in Helsinki, winning a silver medal in the 79 kg weight class. At the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, he claimed another silver medal after losing to a Soviet wrestler.
His accolades continued at the 1959, 1961, and 1962 World Championships in Tehran, Yokohama, and Toledo, where he won two gold medals and one silver. He also earned a gold and a silver medal at the 1956 and 1960 Olympics in Melbourne and Rome, respectively, and a gold medal at the 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo. Takhti last competed for the national team at the 1966 World Championships.
Takhti was the first Iranian wrestler to win medals in three weight classes and remains Iran’s most decorated Olympic wrestler.
Throughout his 14-year international career, Takhti faced formidable opponents, including Sweden’s Viking Palm, Turkey’s Adil Atan, Russia’s Boris Kulayev, the US’s Peter Blair, Germany’s Dietrich, Russia’s Vakhtang Balavadze, Turkey’s İsmet Atlı, Turkey’s Hasan Güngör, Belarus’s Alexander Medved, and Turkey’s Ahmet Ayık.
Takhti ranks 13th on the International Wrestling Hall of Fame’s list of the greatest wrestlers of the century and was honored as one of the sport’s legends at the 2007 World Championships in Baku.
Alexander Medved, a renowned wrestler, once described Takhti as a kind and lovable person. “He was so strong that it was impossible to plan against him. You couldn’t gain an advantage over him with any specific technique,” Medved said.
During the 1962 World Championships in the US, Medved suffered a knee injury, and Takhti, upon learning of it, avoided targeting the injured area during their match. Medved later called it the cleanest fight of his career.
Takhti married in November 1966, and his son Babak is his only surviving legacy. Born on August 27, 1930, in Tehran, Takhti passed away on January 7, 1968, at the former Atlantic Hotel when Babak was just four months old.
Gholamreza Takhti embodied the aspirations of a nation. He is a symbol of Iran’s history—a man who lived among the people, died among them, and now rests in Ebn Bebveyh Cemetery in Shahr-e Rey.