Turkish wrestler named world’s best

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

Akgül won a gold medal in the world championship in Uzbekistan last month. DHA Photo

United World Wrestling (UWW), the international governing body for the sport, on Oct. 27 named Turkish wrestler Taha Akgül as the world’s best in the 125-kilogram freestyle category.

“I have struggled to raise the Turkish flag since the moment I began my sports life and I will not be overcome by languor following this title,” said Akgül.

The 24-year-old wrestler won a gold medal in the world championship held in Uzbekistan last month. In April, he had become a three-time European champion in Vantaa, Finland.

Akgül thanked the chairman of the Turkish Wrestling Federation, Hamza Yerlikaya and pledged to have the Turkish national anthem played in the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Summer Olympics, in Brazil.

In Akgül’s weight category, Iranian wrestler Komeil Ghasemi was ranked second, followed by the Russian Khadzhimurad Gatsalov and the American Tervel Dlagnev.