Born in 1930.08.27, in Tehran and raised in
poor circumstances. He trained in a makeshift sports hall until he left Tehran to work as
an oil worker. After being drafted into the army he was introduced to freestyle wrestling,
He won his first Iranian championship in 1950, and became the first Iranian wrestler to
win an international medal when he gained a silver medal in the World Championships at
Helsinki in 1951, followed by silver at the Helsinki Olympics. Later he won gold in the
1956 Olympics and the 1959 World championships.
Tahkti competed unsuccessfully at the 1964 Olympics and 1966 World championships due to
his being chosen for adverse political reasons. Although he had retired from competition,
the government of the time attempted to discredit him in the eyes of the people with whom
he was extremely popular, particularly from an anti-government stance. Though he
lost in the last two competitions his popularity was not diminished.
His mysterious death in 1968.01.07 was "officially" listed as suicidal
but the popular opinion was one of political assassination by government forces.
hall until he left Tehran to work as
an oil worker. After being drafted into the army he was introduced to freestyle wrestling,
He won his first Iranian championship in 1950, and became the first Iranian wrestler to
win an international medal when he gained a silver medal in the World Championships at
Helsinki in 1951, followed by silver at the Helsinki Olympics. Later he won gold in the
1956 Olympics and the 1959 World championships.
