Türkiye Wrestling Federation (TGF) President Taha Akgül has set his sights on a strong medal haul at next month's World Wrestling Championships in Kazakhstan, saying the tournament will also provide an important test as the country builds toward the next Olympic cycle.
Akgül, a former Olympic, world and European champion, said Türkiye's wrestlers are entering the most important part of the season with a strong team across all categories and a long-term plan designed to strengthen the sport's international standing.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency in Sivas, where he attended the Traditional Muhsin Yazıcıoğlu 4th Karakucak Wrestling Festival Turkish Championships, Akgül emphasized the importance of grassroots wrestling in developing future champions.
"European, world and Olympic championships start with the grass," Akgül said. "The competitions held here give children tremendous value in terms of experience. Karakucak is our foundation. We care about it greatly, and together with the municipality, we will do everything we can to develop wrestling."
Akgül also welcomed plans to open a 10-mat wrestling facility in Sivas with support from Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak. He thanked Sivas Mayor Adem Uzun for his support of the sport and said investments at the grassroots level were essential to securing wrestling's future.
Akgül said the federation had moved away from short-term planning and was instead building a development system designed to produce athletes capable of competing at the highest international level for years to come.
"We are making major steps by thinking about the future," Akgül said. "In the past, short-term plans were being made. We are making long-term plans because if we had not started this, the future of Turkish wrestling would have been in danger."
He said the federation was focused on developing young wrestlers and keeping them motivated through every stage of their careers.
Children competing across wrestling categories are being viewed as part of the national team's broader development pipeline, Akgül said, with the ultimate objective of representing Türkiye at European, world and Olympic competitions.
"We tell them that the priority is the flag," he said. "You can compete at the European, world and Olympic levels, and later, if your age allows, you can also compete in oil wrestling. Karakucak and oil wrestling are part of us, but we especially value Karakucak because it is our foundation."
Akgül described international competition as a form of sporting rivalry in which countries seek to demonstrate their strength through medal success, particularly at the Olympics.
"When we go to the Olympics, countries try to show their strength by winning the most medals," he said. "We need to show our strength there too. For that, we have to keep these children's enthusiasm alive."
He added that the federation was beginning to see the benefits of its approach.
"We have become a federation that receives attention and is appreciated for what it does," Akgül said. "We are on the right path. Good things are happening, and God willing, we will get even better."
Akgül also pointed to Türkiye's performance at the 20th Mediterranean Games in Taranto, Italy, as evidence of the depth developing within the country's wrestling program.
Türkiye sent wrestlers in 17 weight classes at the event and was part of a national delegation that won 111 medals overall. Italy finished first in the overall standings, with Türkiye second.
"For Türkiye to finish second even at the Mediterranean Games is extremely valuable, but we will surpass Italy," Akgül said.
Wrestling was Türkiye's most successful sport at the Games in terms of medals, a performance that Akgül said reflected the strength of the country's current generation.
"We broke a record in wrestling there," he said. "We won the most medals of all the sports. I am proud of our children."
Akgül, however, stressed that Mediterranean Games success is not the federation's primary benchmark. The real measure, he said, will come at the World Championships and Olympics.
Türkiye will compete at the 2026 World Wrestling Championships in Kazakhstan from Oct. 24 to Nov. 1, with Akgül expecting a demanding tournament as the season reaches its decisive stage.
"We are now approaching the end of the season," he said. "The most important matches of the season are coming. We know our job will be difficult. It will be a tough World Championship, but our team and our children will gain experience."
Akgül said the squad has considerable depth, particularly in women's wrestling, and believes the tournament can serve as an important part of the country's preparations for future Olympic success.
"We have a magnificent team," he said. "We also have very good names in women's wrestling. Thankfully, Turkish wrestling is on the right path."
Rather than judging the program on immediate results alone, Akgül said the federation was using the World Championships as part of a broader Olympic development strategy.
"Because we are thinking long term, the World Championship will also serve, to some extent, as preparation for the Olympics," he said.
Akgül's immediate objective is clear: maximize Türkiye's medal count in Kazakhstan while giving the country's emerging wrestlers the experience they need to become future international champions.
"We want to win as many medals as possible at the World Championship," Akgül said. "Our nation should pray for us. With our lions, we will represent our country in the best possible way."
