Turkish wrestler Ali Cengiz clinches gold at World Championships
Turkish wrestler Ali Cengiz raises the national flag after beating David Losonczi in the World Wrestling Championships final, Belgrade, Serbia, Sept. 24, 2023. (AA Photo)


In Sunday's World Wrestling Championships finale, Turkish wrestling phenom Ali Cengiz secured the gold medal in the 87 kg. category.

With a performance that could only be described as a masterclass, Cengiz showcased his mettle against a formidable roster of international opponents, culminating in the pinnacle of his career.

Cengiz's journey to the gold medal podium was nothing short of spectacular.

The 27-year-old star kicked off his campaign with a resounding victory over Finnish powerhouse Toni Heikki Metsomaeki, emerging triumphant with a commanding score of 7-3.

But that was just the beginning of his conquest.

In the second round, Cengiz faced off against Olympic and World Champion, the Ukrainian Zhan Belenyuk.

It was a battle of the bulls, yet, with a display of unmatched skill and determination, Cengiz outclassed Belenyuk with a score of 3-1, proving that he was indeed a force to be reckoned with.

The quarterfinals brought another intense showdown, as Cengiz went head-to-head with Uzbekistan's Jalgasbay Berdimuratov, the world's second-ranked wrestler.

In a nail-biting contest that ended in a 3-3 tie, it was Cengiz's last-point advantage that secured his passage to the semifinals.

The semifinals witnessed Cengiz's sheer dominance as he executed a remarkable pinfall against Kazakhstan's Nursultan Tursynov.

Leading 4-3, he left no room for doubt that he deserved his place in the finals.

In the championship's piece de resistance, Cengiz faced his Hungarian rival David Losonczi, a familiar foe from their shared third-place finish in a previous World Wrestling Championship.

The battle was fierce, with Cengiz initially conceding a point to Losonczi due to his passive stance.

However, a dramatic turnaround saw Cengiz take control with a headlock maneuver, establishing a 6-1 lead at the end of the first half.

The second half was a thrilling chess match on the mat, with both athletes trading points.

Ultimately, Cengiz held on to win 8-7, securing his status as the new world champion.

The World Wrestling Championship in Belgrade, Serbia, was a rollercoaster of emotions, and Cengiz's gold medal performance was the pinnacle of a remarkable tournament.

The Turkish National Wrestling Team, featuring 30 extraordinary athletes, left an indelible mark with a total of seven medals – two gold, one silver and four bronze.

Among the medalists, Ali Cengiz stood tall as the shining star.

Cengiz's victory earned him a gold medal and a coveted quota for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak was quick to offer his heartfelt congratulations to Cengiz for this historic achievement.