Gholamreza Takhti was an Iranian freestyle wrestler and practitioner of Varzesh Bastani (a traditional Persian sport).
Takhti was not only an athlete, but a role model respected by all Iranians in all aspects of life, and is still respected by his people. He was a true unifying figure for Iranians, a symbol of generosity, positive values, and kindness, which made him an inspirational figure for artists and a place in the hearts of all Iranians.
Due to his excellent sportsmanship, he is considered one of Iran’s most beloved athletes and has been given the title “Jahan Pahlavan”, which means “World Champion” in Persian. Takhti remains a hero to many Iranians. He is in the UWW Hall of Fame.
He won his first Iranian championship in 1950, and then won a silver medal at the World Freestyle Championship in 1951 in Helsinki, Finland. This was one of the first international medals won by an Iranian wrestler.
He was a gold medalist at the 1956 Summer Olympics, 1958 Asian Games, 1959 World Championships, and 1961 World Championships, and was a three-time Iranian Pahleban athlete.
The freestyle wrestler also won a gold medal at the 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo, Japan.
At the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, he won the gold medal, defeating Boris Kulaev of the Soviet Union in the final.
Takti also won two Olympic silver medals in Helsinki in 1952 and Rome in 1960.
He won two world championship gold medals at the 1959 Tehran Games and the 1961 Yokohama Games.
Takhti has won several other medals, but that’s not the only reason he’s popular among Iranians. He showed exemplary characteristics, such as his unrelenting zeal to help the poor and needy, and proved himself to be a true hero.
Takhti; the most moral wrestler in Iranian history
He is the most famous wrestler in Iranian history. This legend is known for his chivalry and sportsmanship, and continues to symbolize the essence of sports for the Iranian people.
In 1961, a terrible earthquake struck Boein Zahra in western Iran, killing 45,000 people. Takuti was deeply moved by the suffering of the victims, who were already living in very poor areas.
Already one of Iran’s biggest stars, he began walking down one of Tehran’s main thoroughfares seeking support for the victims. He inspired other champions to follow in his footsteps, and thousands made donations to alleviate suffering.
Another example of his character comes from the match in Moscow. After defeating then world champion Anatoli Arbur, Takti saw the sadness on Arbur’s mother’s face. Takti went to her and said, “I’m sorry about the result, but your son is a great wrestler.” She smiled and kissed him.
personality and personality
During his career, Takti tended to act fairly when competing with his rivals, which stems from traditional Zurkhane values, and is a heroic trait that embodies the qualities of chivalry known as Javanmardi. It is a type of action.
For example, he once had a match with Soviet wrestler Alexander Medved, who injured his right knee. Upon learning that Medved was injured, Takti avoided touching the injured leg and tried to attack the other leg instead. Although he lost the match, he showed that he values honorable conduct over winning.
Another example of his character comes from the match in Moscow. After defeating then world champion Anatoli Arbur, Takti saw the sadness on Arbur’s mother’s face. Takti went to her and said, “I’m sorry about the result, but your son is a great wrestler.” She smiled and kissed him.
Golamreza Takti’s death anniversary
Gollum Reza Takti passed away on January 7, 1968, but his fans still remember him as a hero who lives on in the hearts of his lovers.
Takhti is buried in the Ibn-e-Babboueh cemetery near Share Ray, south of Tehran, and is commemorated annually by Iranians.
Edited by Marji Rahmani