Turkish Greco-Roman wrestler Riza Kayalp won his 13th “gold” at the European Championships and became the most titled wrestler in the history of this tournament.
Kayaalp (130 kg) started the 2026 European Championship in Tirana, Albania, by defeating Armenia's Albert Vardanyan. After that, the Turkish fighter defeated two “neutrals” – Russian Marat Kamparov and Belarusian Pavel Hlinchuk.
Instead, in the final, Kayaalp fought for the “gold” with the current World Championship silver medalist, Hungarian Dariusz Vitek. In the end, the Turkish wrestler won with a score of 7:1 and won his 13th European Championship.
With his 13th “gold” at the Euros, Kayaalp surpassed Russian Alexander Karelin in victories, with whom he held the record of 12 gold medals.
“I lost all hope [of winning]. My daughter prayed before going to bed: 'God, let my father fight again and win medals.' I lost hope, but when I saw my daughter's prayers, I couldn't bear it. I made a promise to her in my heart, all parents do everything for their children. I fought, went out on the mat like a lion, and tried to keep my promise. I [did it],” Kayalpa was quoted as saying by Anadolu.
“My child is now 5 and a half years old, and as a father I kept my word. This achievement is as valuable as an Olympic medal. I broke a record that they said was impossible to break,” the wrestler added.
Kayalp won at the European Championships in 2010, 2012-2019, 2021-2023 and 2026. He had a streak of eight victories at the European Championships. The Turkish wrestler also won silver twice in his career (2011, 2024).
Riza Kayaalp: what is known about the wrestler?
- 36-year-old Greco-Roman wrestler from Turkey competing in the 130 kg weight class. Three-time Olympic medalist (“silver” at the 2016 Games and “bronze” in 2012, 2020).
- The ten-time world championship medalist, in particular, won gold five times.
- Eight-time champion of the international tournament Vehbi Emre and Hamit Kaplan Named after the 1956 Olympic champion in Greco-Roman wrestling Hamit Kaplan and the Turkish wrestler and referee Vehbi Emre. , which is held annually in Turkey.
- Champion of the 2015 European Games in Baku, the 2019 Military World Games and twice at the Mediterranean Games (2009, 2013). Also won twice at the World Cups (2011, 2012)