Iran's Diving Pioneer Returns to International Stage; Taghi Asgari Dives at 100 Years Old

The name Taghi Asgari, referred to as the 'father of diving' in Iran, gained international recognition 73 years ago after winning silver and bronze medals at the Asian Games in New Delhi. Now, on the verge of turning 100, he has returned to the diving board to participate in the international aquatics championships taking place in Doha. Asgari, the oldest competitor at this championship, performed a demonstration dive before the women's 3-meter diving final at Hamad Aquatic Centre, marking the countdown to the two-week-long world championship. In an interview with 'World Aquatics', he stated that he retired from the sport at the age of 41 after winning a national gold medal. However, due to his love for diving, he has returned to Doha. Born in February 1924, he won two silver medals in both platform and diving events at the 1951 Asian Games in New Delhi. He mentioned to the 'World Aquatics Federation' that when he first participated in the Asian Games in 1951, the level of diving in Iran was 'very high.' He added that when the Games were held in Tehran in 1974, Chinese divers had entered the sport and made significant progress. He lamented, 'We could not catch up with them because we remained at the same level we started.' Asgari's name resurfaced in Iranian media during the COVID-19 pandemic as he protested the lack of vaccines for the elderly and the neglect of veteran athletes by officials. In several interviews, he expressed his dire financial situation, stating, 'I really wish I could get COVID and die so my dignity wouldn't be lost. I am worried about my dignity and poverty because expenses have become truly terrifying.'