Salih Yusuf Yazıcı crowned European Champion in Skopje
Turkish wrestler Salih Yusuf Yazıcı has written his name into the history books by winning the gold medal at the U20 European Wrestling Championships held in Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia. Competing in the Greco-Roman 72 kg category, the national athlete representing Kayseri Şekerspor defeated every opponent he faced and climbed to the top step of the podium.
Yazıcı delivered a flawless performance throughout the tournament, demonstrating not only physical strength but also remarkable mental resilience and tactical maturity for his age. In each round, he met increasingly tough rivals, yet he managed to stay calm, read the matches correctly and respond with the right techniques at the right moments.
The Turkish youngster began his march toward the title with a controlled and disciplined style, gradually increasing his tempo as the level of opposition rose. The early rounds served as a warm-up for the tougher challenges ahead, and he used them to analyze his competitors and fine-tune his approach on the mat.
One of the key turning points of the championship came in the second round, where Yazıcı faced Sweden’s Alvin Anders Thulinder. In a tightly contested bout decided by small details, the Turkish wrestler prevailed 2-1. That victory not only opened the door to the later stages of the competition but also boosted his confidence and showed that he could edge out opponents in close, tactical fights.
In the quarterfinal, the challenge became even more demanding. Yazıcı was drawn against Greece’s Arionas Kolitspoulos, a former European champion and world silver medallist. Going up against such a decorated rival at this level is often an obstacle many young wrestlers struggle to overcome. However, Yazıcı approached the match with determination and tactical discipline, securing a hard-fought 3-2 win. This result was widely seen as a statement: he was not just participating in the tournament; he was there to win it.
The semifinal brought another tough opponent: Narek Grigorian from Armenia. Known for his physical style and relentless pressure, Grigorian forced Yazıcı to wrestle at a very high intensity for the full duration of the bout. The Turkish wrestler once again showed his composure under pressure, choosing precise moments to attack and defend. With a 2-1 victory, he secured his place in the final and guaranteed himself at least a silver medal.
The gold-medal match turned into a dramatic showdown against Ukraine’s Dmytro Demianovskyi. The final was exactly what a European Championship decider is expected to be: tense, tactical, and fiercely competitive. The score remained tight, and every point gained or conceded carried enormous weight. For much of the bout, neither wrestler was able to build a decisive lead, and it became clear that the match could be decided by a single action.
In the closing moments, Yazıcı produced exactly that decisive action. With the clock ticking down, he executed a powerful and technically flawless *künde* move, turning the bout in his favor. That final attack brought him the crucial points he needed, and he emerged victorious with a 3-2 scoreline. The late turnaround underlined not only his technical quality but also his ability to stay focused and dangerous until the final second.
By capturing the European title, Salih Yusuf Yazıcı has added a significant chapter to his young career and contributed to Turkey’s strong tradition in Greco-Roman wrestling. His success also highlights the role of Kayseri Şekerspor in nurturing and developing young talent capable of competing at international level. For Turkish wrestling, achievements like this are more than individual triumphs; they serve as motivation and a model for the next generation of athletes.
This championship run is particularly impressive considering the level of opposition he had to overcome: a former European champion and world runner-up, experienced wrestlers from traditional wrestling nations such as Sweden, Armenia and Ukraine, and the pressure of representing his country on a major stage. Winning all of these matches by narrow margins also shows that Yazıcı is already accustomed to competing in high-stakes scenarios where a single mistake can be costly.
Experts often point out that Greco-Roman wrestling at 72 kg is one of the most demanding categories, combining the speed of lower weight classes with the strength and power seen at higher weights. Excelling in such a field requires both advanced technique and exceptional physical conditioning. Yazıcı’s performance in Skopje indicates that he has successfully achieved that balance at a young age, a promising sign for his transition to senior-level competitions.
Beyond the medals and titles, such a victory has a broader impact on the athlete’s career. A U20 European Championship gold significantly raises a wrestler’s profile, opens doors to more international events, and strengthens their position within the national team setup. It also attracts greater attention from sponsors and sports institutions, which can provide improved training conditions, better facilities, and access to top-level coaching and sparring partners.
For young wrestlers and sports fans in Turkey, Salih Yusuf Yazıcı’s story serves as a powerful example of what can be achieved through persistence and dedication. Coming through a club structure and making his way to the continental title, he demonstrates that with the right support system and consistent work, it is possible to reach the top of European wrestling even before stepping fully into senior ranks.
Looking ahead, expectations for Yazıcı will naturally rise. After claiming the European crown at U20 level, the next targets will likely include world championships in his age group and, in the longer term, success in senior European, world, and possibly Olympic competitions. The key for him will be to maintain his focus, continue to develop technically and physically, and gain experience against elite senior wrestlers without rushing his progression.
Coaches often stress that success in youth categories must be seen as a step, not as the final destination. In this context, Yazıcı’s performance in Skopje can be considered a solid foundation upon which to build a long and successful career. The mental strength he displayed-overcoming former champions, managing tight scores, and turning a European final around in the last minute-suggests that he has the psychological tools needed to handle the greater pressures waiting at senior level.
At national level, such international victories also positively impact team morale. Each gold medal at a major event contributes to the overall ranking and prestige of the country’s wrestling program. It encourages investment in youth systems, increases public interest in the sport, and can inspire local clubs across Turkey to intensify their search for new talents who could one day follow in Yazıcı’s footsteps.
In Skopje, Salih Yusuf Yazıcı did more than win a tournament. He showed that he has the potential to become one of the leading names in Turkish Greco-Roman wrestling in the coming years. His European championship title at 72 kg stands as clear evidence of his abilities and as a signal to the wrestling world that a new, highly competitive name has joined the international stage.