Young Wrestlers Training at the İzmir Wrestling Education Center Race Toward Championships
Future champions are being trained at the Atatürk Sports Complex Wrestling Education Center. Young wrestlers make the nation proud with their national rankings.
Learning the ancestral sport at the Atatürk Sports Complex Wrestling Education Center under the İzmir Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports, young wrestlers are advancing toward becoming future national athletes with the Turkish championships they have achieved.
Work at the Wrestling Education Center
Young wrestlers who come to the wrestling center at an early age in İzmir to learn the intricacies of the ancestral sport are experiencing the pride of winning Turkish championships. The head wrestlers of the Atatürk Sports Complex Wrestling Education Center, operating under the İzmir Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports, make intensive efforts to train approximately 70 athletes.
Achievements of the Young Athletes
Trained in wrestling 5 days a week by head wrestlers, Ensar Sapmaz in the 68 kg freestyle, Muhammet Ali Yıldız in the 75 kg freestyle, and Mehmet Kağan Ünal in the 30 kg freestyle achieved the title of Turkish champion. Wrestlers trained at the center, where many athletes have achieved rankings, take Taha Akgül and Rıza Kayaalp as their role models.
Goals of Muhammet Ali Yıldız
Twelve-year-old wrestler Muhammet Ali Yıldız stated that he turned to this sport after his older brother. Explaining that he reached this year's Turkish championship after achieving third places in Turkey, Yıldız expressed that he wants to maintain his ranking and become a European champion in the future.
Ensar Sapmaz's Olympic Dream
Ensar Sapmaz stated that he persuaded his mother to start wrestling 5 years ago, noting that he disliked swimming and gymnastics and chose wrestling instead. Having two Turkish championships, Sapmaz emphasized that he wants to win a medal at the Olympics and be selected for the national team.
Goals of the New Generation of Wrestlers
11-year-old wrestler Mehmet Kağan Ünal noted that he chose this branch because his father was a wrestler. İbrahim Ceylan, who has a third-place finish in Turkey, stated that he has regional and provincial championships and aims for success in European and world organizations.
Coaches' Purpose and Work
Coach Cemal Seçkin said that they conduct wrestling training sessions both on weekdays and weekends. Seçkin stated that their main goal here is to keep children away from bad habits and addiction, while also preparing them for major clubs.