Hamza Yerlikaya (b. 1976) is a Turkish athlete and politician who has won two Olympic, three World, and eight European championships in Greco-Roman wrestling. He is renowned for achieving a world championship title in the senior category at a young age and being known as “The Wrestler of the Century.” After his athletic career, he served as a member of parliament, presidential advisor, and deputy minister.

Family and Education

Hamza Yerlikaya was born in 1976 in the Kadıköy district of Istanbul as the second child of a family from Sivas. The family had migrated from Sivas to Istanbul and possessed a strong generational connection to wrestling through his grandfather Mehmet Yerlikaya and father Mustafa Yerlikaya, whose influence strengthened Hamza’s early interest in the sport. Shortly after his birth, at the request of his elders, Yerlikaya was taken to Sivas, where his name was chosen as “Hamza” upon his grandfather’s suggestion. The grandfather passed away shortly thereafter, and the family returned to Istanbul.

Hamza Yerlikaya and Rector of Süleyman Demirel University (I am wrestling)

Mustafa Yerlikaya’s own involvement in wrestling during his youth and his transmission of this experience to his children helped establish a strong home sports culture. Family guidance enabled both male siblings to engage regularly in sports; the early achievements and experience of the elder brother, Muttalip Yerlikaya, served as both a role model and a source of motivation for the younger brother. This spirit of athletic solidarity between the brothers continued into training and camp periods in later years.

World Championship Celebration at Age 17 (I am wrestling)

Yerlikaya spent his childhood years in Kadıköy, where he devoted time to activities such as swimming and played briefly in a football youth academy. His focus on wrestling became more pronounced toward the end of adolescence, and with family support, he began regular attendance at sports halls and clubs.

Hamza Yerlikaya completed his undergraduate studies at the Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Education, Süleyman Demirel University. He later earned his master’s degree at Sakarya University of Applied Sciences with a thesis titled “Examining Career Satisfaction and Organizational Citizenship Levels of Personnel in the General Directorate of Sports.”

Beginnings and Early Years in Wrestling

Yerlikaya’s first professional club affiliation was with Demirspor, where systematic strength and technical training began. The Hamit Kaplan Sports Hall in Kadıköy-Haydarpaşa served as the primary venue for his early training sessions, with coaches Salih Bora and Muzaffer Aydın playing decisive roles in his development.

Until adolescence, Yerlikaya engaged in various sports, particularly swimming and football, before specializing in Greco-Roman wrestling. His fundamental technical repertoire was established early, with repetitive practice of techniques such as “künde,” “suplex,” and “cradle” on the mat and standing positions preparing him for later tactical preferences. Matches against peers and older athletes during training camps helped raise his technical standard and adapt him to competition tempo.

Conversation Between Sadettin Tantan and Hamza Yerlikaya (I am wrestling)

His first contact with the national team occurred in 1991. The preparatory camp at Sarıyer-Mersinli Ahmet Facilities marked his initial exposure to high-level training routines. Concepts such as camp discipline, load-rest cycles, and weight management were practically implemented at this stage. In the same year, Yerlikaya placed fourth at the Youth World Championships (65 kg), marking the beginning of his international competition experience. In 1992, he won gold at the Youth World Championships in Istanbul and silver at the Junior World Championships in the same year. These early results established foundational performance indicators before his transition to the senior level.

Yerlikaya’s performance at the beginning of 1993 in the Vehbi Emre Greco-Roman Wrestling Tournament proved decisive for his selection to the A national team. At this stage, despite his young age, he acquired practical experience in the physiological and tactical demands of competing regularly in the senior category—match tempo control, opponent analysis, and short recovery intervals. By the end of this period, he was included in the European Championship squad, earning his first continental-level experience at the senior level.

Rise of the Athletic Career

1993 marked a turning point in Yerlikaya’s visibility at the senior level. After joining the A national team, he reached the final of the European Championships in the 82 kg category, winning silver after losing to Thomas Zander. Later that year, at the World Championships in Stockholm, he became world champion at age 17 in the senior category, demonstrating consistent technical and tactical performance against a field that included Devlet Turliykanov. This achievement laid the foundation for his recognition in international literature as “The Wrestler of the Century.” The 1993 season also concluded with bronze at the Mediterranean Games and gold at the Junior European Championships, expanding his multi-category experience during the transition from junior to senior levels.

Scene from the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Gold Medal Ceremony (I am wrestling)

The 1994 season drew attention for results that fell short of high expectations. Fifth place at the European Championships in Athens and a medal-less performance at the World Championships in Tampere necessitated recalibration in weight management, match tempo, and tactical adaptation. Conversely, his gold medals at the Junior European and Junior World Championships confirmed his continued dominance in age-group categories. The core techniques of “künde,” “suplex,” and “cradle” were increasingly targeted in opponent preparation; Yerlikaya responded to opponents’ defenses against “künde” with variations of “cradle” and “salto.”

After finishing seventh at the 1995 Senior European Championships, his gold medal at the Junior World Championships provided morale. The decisive breakthrough came at the 1995 World Championships in Prague. Yerlikaya first defeated his 1993 final opponent Zander, then overcame Gocha Tsitsiashvili in the final to become world champion for the second time. During this period, camp planning, load-rest cycles, and weight stabilization during match weeks became more systematic; opponent analysis and scenario planning with the coaching staff were deepened, especially before major tournaments.

Pre-Olympic Training Camp (I am wrestling)

Winning gold at the 1996 Budapest European Championships served as a specific indicator before the Atlanta Olympics. In Atlanta, scoring and risk management stood out against opponents such as Turliykanov and Lidberg; victory over Zander in the final secured his first Olympic gold medal. This ascent phase was characterized by early stability at the senior level, rapid adaptation to rule changes, and tactical flexibility in repeated encounters with key opponents. These traits formed the foundation of the performance profile that enabled future European and World Championships and a second Olympic gold.

International Achievements

Olympic Games

1. Atlanta 1996 (82 kg): Advanced through the elimination and semifinal rounds without conceding points; won gold by outscoring Thomas Zander in the final. This tournament marked his first Olympic victory immediately following his European gold.

2. Sydney 27 September 2000 (85 kg): Reached the final by defeating Cuban Luis Enrique Méndez in the quarterfinal and Georgian Mukharn Vakhtangadze in the semifinal; won his second Olympic gold by defeating Hungarian István (Sándor) Bárdosi in extra time based on passive criteria and technical scoring.

3. Athens 2004 (84 kg): Advanced to the semifinals by defeating representatives from Ukraine, Bulgaria, and Estonia in the first three rounds; lost to Swedish wrestler Ara Abrahamyan in the semifinal; lost the bronze medal match to Belarusian Makarenko, finishing fourth.

World Championships

1. Stockholm 1993 (82 kg): Won world championship at age 17 in the senior category, defeating Kazakh Devlet Turliykanov in the final.

2. Prague 1995 (82 kg): Won his second world title by defeating Gocha Tsitsiashvili in the final.

3. Budapest 2005 (96 kg): After rule changes and a move to a higher weight class, advanced to the final by defeating Fritz Aannes, Marek Sitnic, Mirko Englich, and Vasiliy Teploukhov in the semifinal; won his third world gold by defeating host nation athlete Lajos Virág in two periods.

4. Other Years: Silver in Wrocław 1997; fifth in Gävle 1998; ninth in Patras 2001; sixth in Moscow 2002; seventh in Créteil 2003.

European Championships (Selected Results)

1. Gold Medals: 1996 Budapest (82 kg), 1998 Minsk (85 kg), 1999 Sofia (85 kg), 2001 Istanbul (85 kg), 2002 Seinäjoki (84 kg), 2003 (85/84 kg category), 2005 Warsaw/Bucharest season (96 kg), 2006 Moscow (96 kg).

2. Other Results: Second place in 1993 European Championships (82 kg); multiple top-five finishes in various years. In 2001 Istanbul, he won both individual gold and team championship.

Notable Matches and Opponents

1. Thomas Zander (Germany): Yerlikaya prevailed in the 1993 European final, 1993 and 1995 World Championships, and the 1996 Atlanta final.

2. Martin/Jimmy Lidberg (Sweden): Won tactical victories over Martin Lidberg in the 1996 Atlanta group final, Jimmy Lidberg in the 1999 Sofia European final, and again in the 2005 European Championships.

3. Ara Abrahamyan (Sweden): Key matches in the 2002 Moscow World Championships and 2003 Créteil; suffered defeat in the 2004 Athens semifinal.

4. István (Sándor) Bárdosi (Hungary): The 2000 Sydney final was decided by extra time and passive criteria.

5. Devlet Turliykanov (Kazakhstan): Played decisive matches in the early rounds of the 1993 World Championships and 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Complete List of Results

1991 – World Championships (Youth, 65 kg): 4th

1992 – World Championships (Youth, 76 kg): Gold

1992 – World Championships (Junior, 74 kg): Silver

1993 – European Championships (Senior, 82 kg): Silver

1993 – World Championships (Senior, 82 kg): Gold

1993 – European Championships (Junior, 81 kg): Gold

1993 – Mediterranean Games (Senior, 82 kg): Bronze

1994 – European Championships (Senior, 82 kg): 5th

1994 – European Championships (Youth, 82 kg): Gold

1994 – World Championships (Junior, 88 kg): Gold

1994 – World Championships (Senior, 82 kg): 12th

1995 – European Championships (Senior, 82 kg): 7th

1995 – World Championships (Youth, 82 kg): Bronze

1995 – World Championships (Senior, 82 kg): Gold

1996 – European Championships (Senior, 82 kg): Gold

1996 – Olympic Games, Atlanta (Senior, 82 kg): Gold

1997 – European Championships (Senior, 85 kg): Gold

1997 – Mediterranean Games (Senior, 85 kg): Gold

1997 – World Championships (Senior, 85 kg): Silver

1997 – World Cup (Senior, 85 kg): Gold

1998 – European Championships (Senior, 85 kg): Gold

1998 – World Championships (Senior, 85 kg): 5th

1999 – European Championships (Senior, 85 kg): Gold

1999 – World Championships (Senior, 85 kg): 21st

2000 – Olympic Games, Sydney (Senior, 85 kg): Gold

2001 – European Championships (Senior, 85 kg): Gold

2001 – World Cup (Senior, 97 kg): 5th

2001 – World Championships (Senior, 85 kg): 9th

2002 – European Championships (Senior, 84 kg): Gold

2002 – World Championships (Senior, 84 kg): 6th

2002 – World Cup (Senior, 96 kg): Silver

2003 – World Championships (Senior, 84 kg): 7th

2004 – Olympic Games, Athens (Senior, 84 kg): 4th

2005 – European Championships (Senior, 96 kg): Gold

2005 – World Championships (Senior, 96 kg): Gold

2006 – World Cup (Senior, 96 kg): Gold

2006 – European Championships (Senior, 96 kg): Gold

During this period, the core of his technical repertoire consisted of “künde” (especially in ground wrestling from clinch positions), “suplex,” and “cradle.” Rule changes, such as the increased emphasis on initiating ground wrestling during 0–0 periods, influenced outcomes in some tournaments. Multiple weight class transitions, adaptation to rule changes, and opponent-specific tactical variation were key factors supporting his final performances.

Awards and Titles

Following his early senior world championship, Hamza Yerlikaya began to be known internationally as “The Wrestler of the Century.” Throughout his athletic career, he was repeatedly selected as “Sportsman of the Year” or “Wrestler of the Year” in evaluations by national and international institutions and ranked highly in surveys by press organizations and sports writers’ associations. The awarding of the “Olympic Torch” prize by the Turkish National Olympic Committee stands as one of the most prominent examples of institutional recognition within the country.

Scene from the Sydney Olympics (I am wrestling)

Awards from the press and professional organizations include year-end selections by the International Sports Writers Association and European wrestling federations, as well as national media polls for “Sportsman of the Year.” In these selections, Yerlikaya’s performances during senior European, World, and Olympic competitions were decisive; multiple medal achievements within a single year served as key references for award presentations.

Yerlikaya’s name also appears in spatial and ceremonial contexts beyond sports awards.

Sports complexes named after him have become part of accessible local sports infrastructure, serving multiple disciplines including wrestling in multi-purpose halls and facilities. Additionally, symbolic roles such as carrying the torch at the opening ceremonies of major international sporting events have been recorded as extensions of his ceremonial representation.

Wrestling Style and Technical Features

Yerlikaya’s Greco-Roman approach is distinguished by close-range standing techniques and control of the upper body in grappling. Key characteristics include maintaining the center line at match start, positioning the torso parallel to the opponent’s shoulder line, and using short explosive entries to disrupt balance. Rapid rhythm changes (sudden pull-push, direction breaks) and increased pressure near the edge line helped convert passive warnings into advantages. During this phase, locking arms through head-chest contact and seeking to “close” the opponent’s torso created advantages when transitioning to ground holds.

After the 2001 European Championship (I am wrestling)

In ground wrestling, variations of “künde” form a foundational core. After establishing a hold, he combines hip-shoulder alignment with pushing and turning motions to break the opponent’s bridge resistance, enabling low-risk point production. When opponents strengthen their “künde” defense, he employs wider-arc suplexes and speed- and momentum-based cradle attempts. During transitions from standing to ground, he frequently maintains the lock to execute short-distance lifts and directional changes to generate point combinations.

Scene from the 2005 Hungary World Championships (I am wrestling)

Adaptation to periodic rule changes is a defining feature of his style. During the transition from the 1990s to the 2000s, when ground initiation and clinching during 0–0 periods became more frequent, he used low-risk entry-exit maneuvers to ensure “position cleaning” and active visibility before the referee. In weight class transitions (82–85–84/96 kg), he maintained a low center of gravity and resistance-based defense to preserve standing power transfer, particularly aiding ground preparation in higher weight classes. His match management emphasized controlled tempo, relying on positional superiority toward the end of periods rather than early point-seeking.

Hamza Yerlikaya with Russian Wrestler Karalin (I am wrestling)

Tactical adaptation to opponent profiles is also evident. Against tall opponents with strong “chest closure” (e.g., Zander), he targeted short contact intervals, inward arm positioning, and shoulder line disruption. Against agile, balance-sensitive opponents (e.g., the Lidberg brothers), he focused on edge-line pressure and ground opportunity creation. Against opponents with strong upper-body defense (e.g., Abrahamyan), he employed prolonged pre-clinch setups and repeated contact-break cycles to accumulate fatigue. Overall, controlled risk based on standing grappling, ground “künde”-centered point production, and adaptation to rule and weight dynamics define Yerlikaya’s technical-tactical profile.

Politics and Public Service

After his active athletic career, Hamza Yerlikaya entered politics within the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and served as a member of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye representing Sivas. In legislative activities, he focused on sports policy, youth initiatives, and regulations for sports infrastructure.

Official Photograph of Hamza Yerlikaya at the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Ministry of Youth and Sports)

After his parliamentary term, he was appointed as presidential advisor, providing counsel on coordination with sports institutions, youth programs, and legislative monitoring. He was subsequently appointed Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, assuming responsibilities in administrative areas such as youth centers, facility investments, athlete support, and event planning.

Following his official transitions, he continued public engagement through party structures and field programs, consistently contributing to institutional functioning in politics and public administration as an athlete-turned-leader.

Personal Life

Hamza Yerlikaya was born in Istanbul. His father is Mustafa Yerlikaya; he was raised in a family environment with strong ties to wrestling. His brother, Muttalip Yerlikaya, was also involved in wrestling.

Yerlikaya married Ebru Küçük in 2010 and is the father of three children. The wedding ceremony took place at the Feshane International Fair and Culture Center in Istanbul; the witnesses to the marriage were then-President Abdullah Gül, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly Mehmet Ali Şahin, and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The ceremony was officiated by then-Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Kadir Topbaş. Also in attendance were then-Kırıkkale Governor Ali Kolat and his wife İlksen Kolat.