Sutte Saraei, a well-known figure in Iranian wrestling, won a silver medal at the 1978 World Wrestling Championships in Mexico City and at the 1981 event (now North Macedonia) in Skopje, Yugoslavia.
Originally from Ramian in Golestan, he was one of Iran’s most decorated athletes at the Asian Games, where he won three gold medals and one silver.
During his career, Sookhteh-Saraei competed in both freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, achieving honors in both categories.
He raised the Iranian flag three times at Asian competitions and won recognition in traditional wrestling, once dubbed “Pavan of the Capital.”
He shared a well-known rivalry and friendship with the late Alileza Soleimani, another Iranian heavyweight champion.
At the 1986 Asian Games, Sookhteh-Saraei won gold at Greco-Roman, while Soleimani won freestyle.
His career coincided with the year of the war imposed with Iran, robbing him of the opportunity to compete in the Olympics. Many believe he can achieve the glory of the Olympics.
Sookhteh-Saraei’s death marked one of the saddest moments in Iranian history the day after the death of another wrestling legend Emmam Ali Habibi, Iran’s Olympic gold medalist at the 1956 Melbourne Games.
Ahmad Donyamari, Minister of Sports and Youth, expressed his sadness and describing Soukte Saraei as a “prominent and honorable champion,” leaving behind a lasting mark in its achievements and character.
He offered sympathy to the wrestler’s family, the wrestling community and the people of Iran.
MNA/IRN85921394