Middleweight, Freestyle (≤79 kg), Men

The Iranians were touting Gholam Reza Takhti and the Americans had Dan Hodge, considered one of the strongest wrestlers in the world. Hodge lost by fall in round two to Soviet Georgian David Tsimak’uridze and then by a split decision in round three, and was eliminated. Tsimak’uridze and Takhti both made the final round, joined by Hungarian György Gurics. Tsimak’uridze advanced despite losing his first round match to Sweden’s Bengt Lindblad. Lindblad lost his second round match to Gurics and then was eliminated after round three on bad points, despite defeating Hodge. Tsimak’uridze had defeatd Gurics in round five so when he defeated Takhti in the final round, the gold medal was his. Takhti then defeated Gurics for the silver medal.

Takhti would have a distinguished Olympic career, which began in Helsinki. In 1956 he won freestyle gold as a light-heavyweight, and he added another silver medal in 1960 in light-heavyweight freestyle. He also competed at the 1964 Olympics, just missing the podium in fourth. Takhti was considered Iran’s greatest sporting hero of the 20th century, but he was politically active against the Iranian government under the Shah of Iran. He died in January 1968, with his death ruled by the state as a suicide, but many rumors persist that he was murdered because of activities against the government.