Rıza Kayaalp, born on 10 October 1989 in the village of Kavurgalı, Yozgat, Türkiye, is among the most accomplished Turkish athletes in Greco-Roman wrestling.

Life

Kayaalp, who was born in a rural area, was introduced to wrestling during primary school through the guidance of his teachers; his interest in the sport gradually evolved into a professional career. After completing secondary education, he graduated from the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports at Aksaray University. He later pursued his master’s degree at Yozgat Bozok University. Kayaalp, who advanced academically alongside his athletic career, is recognized in Turkish wrestling not only for his performance but also for his educational background.

Beginning of the Sports Career

Kayaalp began wrestling in 2000 at the Yozgat Wrestling Training Center. He achieved his first international success in 2005 by winning a gold medal at the Youth European Wrestling Championship held in Tirana, Albania. This achievement marked the first sign of his long-term representation of Türkiye in Greco-Roman wrestling.

Youth Era and International Breakthrough (2006–2010)

In 2006, he announced his name on the international stage by winning a bronze medal at the World Youth Championships in Guatemala. He attracted attention by winning consecutive gold medals at the European Youth Championships in 2007 and 2008. His systematic success during this period, supported by the Turkish Wrestling Federation, secured him a permanent place in the national team.

Senior Category and Olympic Achievements (2010–2023)

European Championships

Rıza Kayaalp has won a total of 12 gold medals at the European Wrestling Championships, securing his place in Turkish wrestling history. He won his first European title in 2010 and repeated this success in 2012–2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023. This performance reached a level comparable to the greatest in Soviet and European wrestling history.

World Wrestling Championships

Rıza Kayaalp has become a five-time world champion. He won his titles in the following cities:

• 2011 – Istanbul
• 2015 – Las Vegas
• 2017 – Paris
• 2019 – Nur-Sultan
• 2022 – Belgrade

He has also won two silver and two bronze medals in various years. This places him among the most successful Greco-Roman wrestlers of all time in world wrestling history.

Olympic Games

• 2012 London Olympics – Bronze medal
• 2016 Rio Olympics – Silver medal
• 2020 Tokyo Olympics (2021) – Bronze medal

Rıza Kayaalp has made history as the first Turkish wrestler to win medals at three consecutive Olympic Games.

Military and Mediterranean Games Achievements

• 2009 and 2013 Mediterranean Games – Gold medal
• 2019 Military World Games (China) – Gold medal

He has further expanded his medal collection by representing Türkiye in these competitions.

Club Career and Local Support

Throughout his club career, Kayaalp has been affiliated with Ankara Metropolitan Municipality ASKİ Sports Club. This club is one of Türkiye’s leading wrestling centers and has provided support for Rıza Kayaalp’s international success.

Final Years of Career and Doping Case

In March 2025, the International Testing Agency (ITA) announced that a sample collected from Rıza Kayaalp in 2024 tested positive for the banned substance Trimetazidine. As a result, the athlete received a four-year ban effective from 1 July 2024. Kayaalp has stated that the substance entered his system accidentally and that the decision is unfair, and he has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

2026 Zagreb Open Wrestling Tournament

National wrestler Rıza Kayaalp won the gold medal in the 130 kg Greco-Roman category at the Zagreb Open Wrestling Tournament held in Zagreb, Croatia’s capital. After a long absence, Kayaalp returned to competition and participated in his first official match in 610 days, finishing the tournament as champion.

At the first ranking series event of 2025, representing Türkiye, the experienced athlete demonstrated clear dominance over his opponents. He advanced to the semifinals by defeating American Aden Ikaika Hammar Attao in the preliminary round and Georgian Rati Talikishvili in the quarterfinals by technical superiority with a 9-0 score. He then defeated Kazakhstan’s Olzhas Syrlybay 4-0 in the semifinals and American Cohlton Michael Schultz 7-1 in the final to claim the gold medal. Throughout the tournament, Kayaalp conceded only one point across his four matches.

Kayaalp last competed in June 2024 at the Polyak Imre and Varga Janos Memorial Tournament in Hungary. He has argued that he used the medication Vastarel due to tinnitus and that the banned substance was taken inadvertently. Following an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, his case was accepted and his ban was lifted effective 1 January 2026, allowing him to return to competition.

Rıza Kayaalp is tied with Russian wrestler Aleksandr Karelin as the athlete with the most European championship titles. If he wins gold at the 2026 European Wrestling Championships, he will become the sole holder of this record.