Yasar Erkan: The one who shaped future of Turkish wrestling
Erkan, the renowned Turkish wrestler, etched his name in history by winning the gold medal in the Greco-Roman style 61-kilo category at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
National wrestler Yasar Erkan, who became the champion at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, became the athlete who brought the first gold medal to Türkiye in the Olympics.
Erkan, who was selected for the national team in 1933, became the Balkan champion in the same year. Erkan, who won the Balkan Championship for three consecutive years, achieved historic success at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
Competing in the Greco-Roman style 61 kilo category in Berlin in 1936, Erkan defeated his opponents and won the gold medal.
Thus, Erkan made history as the first Olympic champion Turkish athlete.
Another national wrestler, Ahmet Kirecci, who competed in the same organization, received a bronze medal.
Türkiye achieved its first medals in the Olympics with Erkan and Kirecci.
After the historic medals achieved by Erkan and Kirecci in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Türkiye was most successful in the wrestling branch of the Olympics.
National wrestlers received 29 gold, 18 silver and 19 bronze medals in the Olympics.
Türkiye has 104 Olympic medals, including 41 gold, 27 silver and 36 bronze.
Erkan, who had the honor of hoisting the crescent and star flag at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, said goodbye to his wrestling throne in 1940.
The legendary Turkish Wrestler National Team died on May 18, 1986.
He was buried in Merkezefendi Cemetery in Istanbul’s Zeytinburnu district.
Source: AA & Newsroom
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