Taha Akgül is a Turkish national wrestler who has won Olympic, world, and European championships in freestyle wrestling. Through his long career, he has secured a prominent place in Turkish wrestling history.
Taha Akgül was born on 22 November 1990 in Sivas. He began wrestling at the age of 12 under the guidance of his father, who was also involved in the sport. After failing to achieve success in the mini and star categories, Akgül took a short break from wrestling. He later returned to the sport and won his first championship in the senior category.
Taha Akgül represented Türkiye at three different Olympic Games and won a medal at each:
With these achievements, he became the fifth Turkish athlete to win three medals at the Olympics. In wrestling, he is the third Turkish athlete to accomplish this feat, after Hamit Kaplan and Rıza Kayaalp.
Taha Akgül has won a total of eight medals at the World Championships:
In 2022, he completed the season undefeated as both European and world champion. That same year, he was named the freestyle wrestler of the year by United World Wrestling.
Taha Akgül has won only gold medals at the European Championships and holds the record for the most golds in freestyle wrestling in this competition.
In 2016, he did not compete in the repechage match due to injury. In 2020, he was unable to participate in the tournament following shoulder surgery.
In addition to the Olympics, World Championships, and European Championships, Taha Akgül has won gold medals in various international competitions:
He has also won titles at the International Yaşar Doğu Tournament and various Grand Prix events.
Taha Akgül won a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games by defeating Aiaal Lazarev 7-0. Following this match, he retired from active wrestling, concluding a 21-year athletic career at the age of 33.
In the same year, at the European Wrestling Championships held in Bucharest, he defeated Geno Petriashvili to claim his 11th European title and contributed to Türkiye winning the team championship for the first time in 31 years. Despite suffering an injury prior to the match, he continued to compete.
In addition to his athletic career, Taha Akgül pursued an academic path. He completed his master’s degree in the field of physical education and sports.
Taha Akgül has won the following medals in major international competitions:
In total, he has won 15 gold, 2 silver, and 5 bronze medals, amounting to 22 medals.
Early Life and Start in Sports
International Career
Olympic Games
World Wrestling Championships
Years in which he became champion:
Other International Achievements
Paris 2024 and the End of His Athletic Career
Educational Background
Career Summary