Kocaeli hosts international wrestling tournament, 433 athletes from 24 nations
The Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality, together with the Turkish Wrestling Federation and the Youth and Sports Directorate, organized the Hasan Gemici‑Gazanfer Bilge International Freestyle and Greco‑Roman Wrestling Tournament at the Şehit Polis Recep Topaloğlu Sports Hall. Over three days, 433 wrestlers from 24 countries competed in multiple weight categories.
The event featured Olympic champions such as Rıza Kayaalp and federation president Taha Akgül, and received praise from international officials who called it a high‑quality competition. Local officials highlighted the tournament’s role in promoting Kocaeli as a “sports capital” and inspiring young athletes, many of whom attended the matches to watch world‑class wrestlers and learn techniques.
The tournament also served as a platform for cultural exchange, with participants and coaches from diverse nations gathering in Kocaeli, reinforcing the city’s growing reputation for hosting major international sport events.
Entities: Gazanfer Bilge · Hasan Gemici · Kağıtspor Club · Kocaeli · Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality · Rıza Kayaalp · Taha Akgül · Tahir Büyükakın · Turkey Wrestling Federation · Turkish Wrestling Federation
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 5 SOURCES] The tournament honored Olympic champions Hasan Gemici and Gazanfer Bilge. (5ab52667-6079-45f7-b23e-28e8549e0603)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The event took place at Şehit Polis Recep Topaloğlu Sports Hall from 31 July to 2 August 2026. (76ec1561-7fae-4375-a0c5-57b778b9ba68)
- [● 2 SOURCES] International judges and athletes praised the organization as high quality. (36c82a49-558d-4840-b40c-5f22080a9520)
- [● 5 SOURCES] The tournament featured athletes from 24 countries, totaling 433 participants. (5ab52667-6079-45f7-b23e-28e8549e0603)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The second day of competition included free‑style bouts at 61 kg, 74 kg and 92 kg and Greco‑Roman bouts at 60 kg, 72 kg and 87 kg. (d1bf785c-2cda-48fc-8985-6ad0b5283324)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Hasan Gemici‑Gazanfer Bilge International Free and Greco‑Roman Wrestling Tournament was held in Kocaeli, Turkey. (e57c4af5-0384-4a00-8f70-ca1164e9afb4, 5ab52667-6079-45f7-b23e-28e8549e0603, 76ec1561-7fae-4375-a0c5-57b778b9ba68, a9cbc0)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The tournament was organized by Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality, the Turkish Wrestling Federation, and the Youth and Sports Directorate. (5ab52667-6079-45f7-b23e-28e8549e0603)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Kocaeli Mayor Tahir Büyükakın said the city aims to promote its name in sports internationally. (5ab52667-6079-45f7-b23e-28e8549e0603)