Ex-Iran freestyle wrestler Abbas Zandi passed away at the age of 87 in Tehran on Monday.

Zandi will be laid to rest in Tehran’s Behesht Zahra Cemetery on Tuesday.

He competed in three Olympic Games including 1948 London, 1952 Helsinki and 1956 Melbourne.

Zandi went to Babr (Tiger) Club in Tehran when he was 14 and learned wrestling from Abdolhossein Fe’li and Hassan Sa'dian.

 At 17, he became a member of the Iran national freestyle wrestling team. One year later, Zandi achieved the Pahlevan of Iran title.

Zandi claimed a gold medal in the 1954 World Wrestling Championships in Tokyo after defeating İsmet Atlı from Turkey in 79kg weight category.

He also won the gold medal at the 87kg four years later at the 1958 Asian Games.

Tehran Times staff wish to express deepest sympathy and condolences to his family.