Evin Demirhan began wrestling in 2009 in Siirt. She took her first steps in sports by trying various disciplines at a gym near her family home. Guided by a wrestling coach, she focused on this sport and, after only one month of training, participated in the Turkish Championships, where she won first place. As a result of this achievement, she was invited to join the national team camps. She began her international career in 2010.
In 2010, Evin Demirhan became European champion in the youth category, becoming one of the first Turkish women to win a European title in women’s wrestling. She subsequently competed in European and World Championships across the junior, under-23, and senior categories. At the European Wrestling Championship held in Hungary, she won the European title in the 50 kg senior division, thereby becoming the first Turkish woman to win European championships in the youth, under-23, and senior categories. She has won a total of 20 medals at European and World Championships, making her one of the most decorated athletes in Turkish women’s wrestling history.
Evin Demirhan has won bronze medals at senior World Championships and has stated her goal is to convert these into gold medals. During the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Turkey won its first-ever Olympic medal in women’s wrestling, and Evin Demirhan was part of this historic process. She has competed in two Olympic Games and has declared her aim to win gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Evin Demirhan began her sports career at the Siirt Youth and Sports Club, later competing for Yalova Club and ENKA Sports, before moving to the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Fomget Sports Club. Alongside her wrestling career, she works as a physical education teacher at a school in Istanbul.
Evin Demirhan’s life was the subject of the documentary “The Secret of Siirt,” directed by İnan Temelkuran and Kristen Stevens. The documentary comprehensively covers her journey into wrestling, as well as her life in sports, school, and family. It won the “Best Documentary” award at the 49th Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival.
Evin Demirhan began her sports career at a time when women’s wrestling was not widely practiced in Türkiye. Although she initially faced negative reactions from her surroundings, she has since contributed significantly to breaking down many social prejudices. She stands among the pioneers of the sport alongside Yasemin Adar. The medals won by her generation have played a vital role in institutionalizing and popularizing women’s wrestling in Türkiye.
She is married to national athlete Haydar Yavuz, who represents Türkiye in the 70 kg freestyle category for the senior national team and has won silver medals at European and World Championships. Evin Demirhan emphasizes that wrestling, although an individual sport, relies on team support behind the scenes, and highlights the crucial role her husband’s support has played in her career.
As of 2025, Evin Demirhan is training with the Women’s Wrestling National Team at the Kastamonu Olympic Preparation and Training Center in preparation for the European Wrestling Championship to be held in Slovakia. Recalling that she previously won team championships at the under-23 European Championships, she aims to replicate this success in the senior category. She also targets gold medals at the Mediterranean Games and the Islamic Solidarity Games.
Beginnings and Early Years of Wrestling
International Career and Achievements
World Championships and Olympic Participation
Club Career and Educational Background
Documentary Study: “The Secret of Siirt”
Women’s Wrestling and Social Impact
Family and Personal Life
Recent Goals and Preparations