Rıza Kayaalp: We will continue to set a good example for the youth until 2028

National wrestler Rıza Kayaalp, who broke a record by winning his 13th gold medal at the European Wrestling Championship, made exclusive statements to Demirören News Agency (DHA) at an event held before the 8th Ethnosport Culture Festival.

Stating that he made history in world wrestling with his success at the European Championship, Kayaalp said, “We achieved a very big success recently. We broke the European record. By making it 13 European championships, surpassing the 12 held by the Russians, we set a record, thank God. Of course, that made a lot of noise. Because maintaining such a great consistency, continuing it for many years, and breaking that record made a big impact. Of course, there is interest from young people and children. With the successes we have achieved, we are already trying to be role models for them. I think it is very important to make them think, 'We can do it too, if we believe, we can succeed.' Thank God. The things we do are big things. To make it to the finals 15 times in Europe, to win medals 10 times in the world, 3 times in the Olympics; if we look at the top 3 medal rankings in world history, I am currently in 1st place with 28 medals, thank God. I still have 2 years ahead of me, and I have the chance to increase these, of course. Although I have aged a bit, I still feel fresh and dynamic, there is no problem. As long as I do my work well, rest well. We will continue to set a good example for this youth until 2028,” he said.

'I KNOW I NEED TO CONTINUE IN A PLANNED WAY'

Expressing that his goal is to win new championships, Kayaalp said, “The next goals are to make it 14-15 in Europe. Because I have 2 chances. I have 2 European Championships ahead of me, until 2028. There are 2 World Championships, and my goal there is to make my world championship 6-7. Then, of course, my goal is the Olympics. I just know that I need to continue in a planned way. I will work well, I will rest well. I need to balance this proportion well. Thank God, there is no problem with our nutrition in the camps. Thanks to our state, it provides opportunities to athletes. It is very important to be able to use these opportunities, to be aware of them, to feel a sense of gratitude, and to be able to give back. I am an athlete who thinks like that, I have thought like that for years. I started wrestling at the Wrestling Education Center in 2000. In 2005, I became the European champion for the first time, again in Tirana, Albania, among the juniors. My last European championship was again in Tirana among the seniors. I have always progressed with this awareness. I always said; 'We have a debt of gratitude to the state that raised us.' I am an athlete who wants to return to my country with lots of medals every year in return. I think I have done so. I sincerely want all my athlete brothers to act with that awareness, this is very important because. If we act with this awareness, we do not think only individually. We think of our parents, our state, our own future. We take precautions from the beginning to offer a good future to our nuclear family. We work hard, we strive hard. In the end, I think we bring success to our country,” he said.

'I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR MAT WRESTLING TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS ORGANIZATION'

Emphasizing the importance of mat wrestling being included in the Ethnosport Culture Festival, Kayaalp said, “I think it is important for mat wrestling to be included in this organization, with the presence of Turkish states here. Karakucak, oil wrestling is also our cultural sport, but one of the common sports practiced by Turkish states is mat wrestling. Their presence here and wrestling as a team provides a nice viewing pleasure for the audience and children. I think everyone will have a nice day,” he said.