A bronze bust of Iranian Olympic gold-medal wrestler Gholam-Reza Takhti (1930-1968) was unveiled on October 4 at the American Sport Art Museum & Archives (ASAMA) in the city of Daphne, Alabama, the US.The North American Iranian Friendship Society (NAIFS) presented ASAMA a bronze sculpture of the late legendary wrestler and national hero at a special […]
A bronze bust of Iranian Olympic gold-medal wrestler Gholam-Reza Takhti (1930-1968) was unveiled on October 4 at the American Sport Art Museum & Archives (ASAMA) in the city of Daphne, Alabama, the US.
The North American Iranian Friendship Society (NAIFS) presented ASAMA a bronze sculpture of the late legendary wrestler and national hero at a special ceremony, in presence of Takhti’s son, Babak, who was born in Iran and now resides in the US, Asama.org reported.
“He was more than an athlete; he showed his love and respect for his people. He cared about the poor and unfortunate people. He was always a helping and giving person,” Babak said.
Created by Tehran-based sculptor Ali-Reza Khaqani, the one meter high, 50-kg statue depicts the Olympic and World Champion wrestler giving a wave of salutation and celebration. The statue was gifted to the sport art collection of ASAMA for the permanent enjoyment of visitors.
Takhti was popularly called ‘Jahan Pahlavan,’ which means ‘world champion.’ People gave him the title for his wrestling skills and his chivalrous behavior and sportsmanship during competitions and also for being a hero of common people and for supporting the poor and downtrodden.
He is one of the highest ranked wrestlers in the history of Iranian wrestling. In the Olympic Games, he won one gold (1956 Melbourne) and two silver medals (1952 Helsinki, 1960 Rome) and in World Championships, he won two gold (1959 Tehran, 1961 Yokohama) and two silver medals (1951 Helsinki, 1962 Toledo).
