Ghulam Reza Takhti ( born 5 Shahriwar 1309 in Tehran – died 17 Day 1346 in Tehran), known as the “World Champion,” was an Iranian wrestler and a icon of Iranian wrestling culture. Some believe him to be an icon of wrestling. He was also politically active and a member of the Central Council of the Iranian National Front.
At the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, Takhti won the first gold medal in Iranian sports history at the Olympics, alongside Imam Ali Habibi. He won one gold and two silver medals at the Olympics, two gold and two silver medals at the World Championships, and one gold medal at the Asian Games. He is listed as Fila’s best player of the century, at number 13. He is one of three Iranian wrestlers (along with Imam Ali Habibi and Abdullah Muwahhid) whose portraits are in the Fila Hall of Fame. Takhti’s tomb is in Bobaewai, Rey.
biography
Ghulam Reza Takhti was born in the Khani Obod district in southern Tehran. His father, Rajab Khan, was born in 1274 in the Darwoseghor district of Tehran, and his mother was originally from Tehran. His ancestors were from the Hammedan province and had Osari ancesttry. He became a “national hero,” although some accounts of his story are inaccurate. In Iran, Takhti is known as a “warrior of the world.” Numerous films and books have been written about him, and a statue of him has been erected in Tashrij Square in Tehran. The “Ghulam Reza Takhti Award” is given annually to the best Iranian wrestler in his honor. Throughout his life, Takhti dedicated himself to public service and helping the underprivileged. He was a member of the Iranian National Front and participated in the Iranian oil naturalization movement.
In his youth
He married Shahla Tawakkuli on the 30th of Bahman, 1345, and they had a son named Babak, born on the 11th of Shahriwar, 1346. One of the places Takhti frequented was the rose shop near the Persepolis intersection. This flower shop still stands. Takhti would pick and arrange flowers from his home garden and take them to the rose shop to sell. But every time he passed by, people would gather around him and speak to him warmly. Takhti was very kind; that’s why ten bouquets of flowers never reached the flower shop. Takhti owned a white Mercedes-Benz, and he drove it to the flower shop. It is said that schoolchildren used to lean against the car and take pictures with him as souvenirs. The flower shop owner told Takhti to hide from the children and people, but he didn’t listen and said, “People come to me, so why should I hide from them?”
Takhti died on 17th Day 1346 in his room at the Atlantic Hotel in Tehran. Two days before his death, meaning on 15th Day, he filed a will at law firm number 202 under number 3428, appointing Qassem Hasibi as the guardian of his son, Babak (who was only 4 months old), who was already registered. There are differing views on the cause of his death.