Riza Kayaalp

Riza Kayaalp, born on October 10, 1989, in Yozgat, Turkey, is a highly accomplished Greco-Roman wrestler. He began his professional career in 2005 and has since become one of Turkey’s most decorated athletes in the sport. Kayaalp attended Aksaray University, where he studied Physical Education and Sports, and later pursued a master’s degree at Bozok University. His career highlights include participation in multiple Olympic Games, where he earned a silver medal in 2016 and bronze medals in 2012 and 2020. He was also honored as the flag bearer for Turkey at the 2016 Rio Games.

Throughout his career, Kayaalp has accumulated numerous titles, including five World Championships and an impressive twelve European Championships. His first World title came in 2011, defeating Mijain Lopez. He continued to dominate, winning additional World titles in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022. In European competitions, he started his gold medal streak in 2010 and continued to win regularly through 2023. These achievements include a European Games gold in 2015 and two Mediterranean Games gold medals in 2009 and 2013, solidifying his status as a prominent figure in Greco-Roman wrestling.

Kayaalp’s career involves significant rivalries, particularly with Mijain Lopez, whom he has both defeated and lost to in major finals. His journey also includes overcoming challenges, such as a shock defeat in 2018 at the World Championships to Heiki Nabi, after which he reclaimed his title in 2019. In 2024, a significant turning point occurred when he was issued a four-year ban by the International Testing Agency due to a positive test for Trimetazidine. This ban, effective July 1, 2024, led to his retirement from the sport, with his last competitions including the 2024 European Championships where he won silver.