IRNA – Takhti International wrestling competitions started in the port city of Mahshahr, Khuzestan Province, southwestern Iran, on Thursday.


Twelve prestigious teams are scheduled to participate in the 38th International Senior Greco-Roman Tournament ‘Takhti Cup’ slated to be held in southwestern Iran, sports official said.

The event will be held with the attendance of Cuba, Finland, Romania, Ukraine, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan and Italy January 25-26.

International wrestling tournament titled 'Takhti Cup' is held every year in Iran to honor the legendary Iranian wrestler.

Gholam-Reza Takhti was born in 1930 and was called “Jahan Pahlavan,” which means “World Champion” due to his huge success in wrestling and his chivalrous behavior and sportsmanship during competitions.

Takhti won his first Iranian championship in 1950, and later became the highest ranked wrestler in the history of the Iranian wrestling, winning one gold (1956 Melbourne) and two silver medals in Helsinki (1952) and Rome (1960) Olympic Games, as well as two golds in Tehran (1959) and Yokohama (1961) and two silver medals in Helsinki (1951) and Toledo (1962) World Championships. He is in the United World Wrestling (formerly known as FILA) Hall of Fame.

Takhti passed away in 1968 at the age of 37 but remains one of Iran’s greatest sports legends and beloved figures.