TEHRAN – Ex-president of Iran karate federation Behzad Katiraei passed away on Thursday after battle with cancer.

Katiraei died after a long battle with cancer at the age of 59 in Tehran’s Khatamolanbia Hospital.

He was diagnosed with cancer in his lymph nodes.

The Iranian war veteran was president of Iran’s karate and wushu federations.  

The Tehran Times staff offer heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family.