Father of Turkish wrestling: Yasar Dogu

SAMSUN, Turkey

Yasar Dogu, known by his nickname "the father of Turkish wrestling," was commemorated Wednesday on the 59th anniversary of his death.

Dogu achieved many milestones and successes throughout his career, including winning gold medals at the 1948 London Olympic Games, the 1951 World Wrestling Championships and the European Championships in 1946, 1947 and 1949.

After his father was martyred in World War I, he grew up in his grandfather's home in Emirli district in Turkey's northern province of Samsun and started practicing a Turkish folk wrestling style called "Karakucak".

Later, during his military service, Dogu maintained his interest in wrestling and became prominent with his achievements.

- Making history on the wrestling mat

Dogu, who won all five matches in the 1948 London Olympic Games, clinched the Olympic medal in London. He lost only one out of 47 matches and finished 33 of 46 matches by pin.

After this successful career as a wrestler, he also served as a trainer for Turkish wrestling, training young wrestlers as much as he could.

Dogu's former student Aziz Guven told Anadolu Agency in an exclusive interview that he used to make a tremendous effort to reach young athletes in different parts of the country.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, his son Gazanfer Dogu said his father had strong beliefs which helped him a lot in accomplishing all these achievements.

"Before the final game of a tournament, he got malaria, and the doctors advised him not to compete in the final. But my father said: 'I want to die on the mat. I represent the Turkish people here. I wouldn't let anyone say I ran away'," added his son.

"Although he had a very high fever that day, he was on the mat and became champion, defeating his opponent."

Dogu passed away on Jan. 8, 1961 from a heart attack and was buried in the Turkish capital Ankara's Military Cemetery of Cebeci.

The following are the achievements of the father of Turkish wrestling:

- 1939 European Wrestling Championships in Oslo, Norway - Silver (Greco-Roman style Lightweight)

- 1940 Balkan Wrestling Championships in Istanbul, Turkey - Gold (Greco-Roman style Lightweight)

- 1946 European Wrestling Championships in Stockholm, Sweden - Gold (Freestyle Welterweight)

- 1947 European Wrestling Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia - Gold (Greco-Roman style Welterweight)

- 1948 Summer Olympics in London, England - Gold (Freestyle Welterweight)

- 1949 European Wrestling Championships in Istanbul, Turkey - Gold (Freestyle Middleweight)

- 1951 World Wrestling Championships in Helsinki, Finland - Gold (Freestyle Light Heavyweight)

*Writing By Emre Asikci in Ankara.