Former Iranian Wrestling Champion Dies at 69

November 13, 2003 - 0:0
TEHRAN (Mehr News Agency) -- Ali-Akbar Riahi, a freestyle wrestling champion of Iran, 69, died in Shohada Hospital of Bandar Gaz, northeastern Golestan Province, Tuesday night.

Riahi missed his two kidneys six years ago and underwent dialysis since then.

He made his debut in the country's freestyle bouts in the southern city Shiraz and clashed against the late world's legend Gholamreza Takhti and hero Ahmad Vafadar.

The wrestler was the undisputed champion of northern Mazandaran Province for 20 years.

Riahi was a national wrestler and then turned to a coach and judge.