United World Wrestling (UWW) Hall of Fame Mehdi Khaledi died on Saturday after a long battle with disease.

He passed away in Tehran’s Laleh Hospital at the age of 75.

Khaledi took part at the five editions of Olympic Games (1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004) as a referee.

He also officiated 36 times at the World Championships as well as five Asian Games (1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006).

Khaledi was inducted into the wrestling Hall of Fame in 2008.

The referee will be laid to rest on Sunday.

Tehran Times offers condolence to the Iranian wrestling community and to Khaledi’s family and friends.