Tabriz in East Azarbaijan Province will host wrestlers from 16 nations for the 38th Takhti Cup International Freestyle Wrestling Tournament, February 8-9.
The Wrestling Federation of Iran has reported that 16 countries have registered for the event, IRNA reported.
Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, India, Turkey, Bulgaria, Hungary and a team from Latin America have finalized their attendance.
It is also predicted that more countries will want to attend in the coming days.
Croatian Olympic referee Davor Petanjek will be present at the event as the representative of the United World Wrestling.
The cup is named after Gholamreza Takhti (1930-1968). Takhti was an Iranian Olympic gold-medalist wrestler and Varzesh-e Bastani (traditional sport) practitioner, popularly nicknamed Jahan Pahlevan (world champion) because of his chivalrous behavior and sportsmanship.
He was the most popular athlete in Iran in the 20th century although dozens of Iranian athletes have won more international medals than he did. Takhti is a hero to many Iranians. He is listed in the FILA wrestling hall of fame.
During the Greco-Roman Takhti Cup in Mahshahr City, Khuzestan Province, January 25-26, Iran finished first with 12 medals (three gold, one silver and eight bronze medals).
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