# Taha Akgül

> Turkish wrestler (born 1990)

**Wikidata**: [Q3374659](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3374659)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taha_Akgül)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/taha-akgul

## Summary
Taha Akgül is a Turkish freestyle wrestler born on November 22, 1990, best known for winning a gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in the 125 kg category. A dominant force in international wrestling, he has secured multiple World Championship titles and European Championship victories, solidifying his reputation as one of Turkey's most accomplished athletes in the sport.

## Biography
- **Born**: November 22, 1990  
- **Nationality**: Turkey  
- **Education**: Selçuk University (physical education)  
- **Known for**: Olympic gold medalist and three-time World Champion in freestyle wrestling  
- **Field(s)**: Freestyle wrestling (125 kg category)  

## Contributions
- **2016 Summer Olympics**: Gold medal in the men's freestyle 125 kg event, defeating Georgia's Giorgi Makrgeorgadze in the final.  
- **World Championships**: Three gold medals (2014, 2015, 2021) and one silver medal (2019), establishing dominance in the 125 kg division.  
- **European Championships**: Five gold medals (2013, 2014, 2018, 2021, 2022) and two bronze medals (2012, 2016), contributing to Turkey's wrestling legacy.  

## FAQs
**What is Taha Akgül's most notable achievement?**  
Akgül's gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics marked a historic victory for Turkish wrestling, defeating Georgia's Giorgi Makrgeorgadze in the final.  

**Where did Taha Akgül receive his education?**  
He studied physical education at Selçuk University in Turkey.  

**What weight category does Taha Akgül compete in?**  
Akgül specializes in the 125 kg freestyle wrestling division, the heaviest category in the sport.  

**How many World Championship titles has Taha Akgül won?**  
He has won three World Championship gold medals (2014, 2015, 2021) and one silver medal (2019).  

## Why They Matter
Taha Akgül revitalized Turkey's wrestling prominence on the global stage, ending a 20-year Olympic gold drought for the nation in the sport. His consistent success across Olympic, World, and European competitions has inspired a new generation of Turkish wrestlers and reinforced wrestling's cultural significance in Turkey. Without Akgül, the country's recent wrestling achievements would lack a key figurehead, and the 125 kg division would miss a strategic and technically gifted competitor.

## Notable For
- **Olympic Champion**: 2016 Rio Olympics gold medalist in the 125 kg freestyle category.  
- **Triple World Champion**: Titles in 2014 (Tashkent), 2015 (Las Vegas), and 2021 (Belgrade).  
- **European Dominance**: Five European Championship gold medals (2013–2022).  
- **Weight Class Excellence**: Consistently ranked among the world's top wrestlers in the 125 kg division.  

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Taha Akgül was born on November 22, 1990, in Turkey. He pursued higher education at Selçuk University, where he studied physical education, laying the foundation for his athletic career.

### Career
Akgül began wrestling competitively in 2005 and joined the Turkish national team in 2008. His breakthrough came at the 2013 European Championships, where he won his first gold medal. He solidified his status as a global powerhouse by securing three World Championship titles (2014, 2015, 2021) and an Olympic gold medal at the 2016 Rio Games. His tactical precision and strength in the 125 kg category have made him a benchmark for excellence in freestyle wrestling.

### Achievements
- **Olympic Games**: Gold (2016).  
- **World Championships**: Gold (2014, 2015, 2021), Silver (2019).  
- **European Championships**: Gold (2013, 2014, 2018, 2021, 2022), Bronze (2012, 2016).  
- **Other Honors**: 2015 United World Wrestling World Wrestler of the Year.  

### Legacy
Akgül's career has bridged Turkey's rich wrestling traditions with modern athletic excellence. His Olympic triumph in 2016 ended a two-decade wait for Turkish wrestling gold, while his World Championship titles underscore his adaptability and longevity. Beyond competition, he has become a national icon, advocating for wrestling's development in Turkey and inspiring youth participation in the sport. His technical mastery, including signature moves like the gut wrench, has influenced training methodologies globally. Without Akgül, the narrative of 21st-century Turkish wrestling would lack a defining champion who elevated the sport's prestige both domestically and internationally.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.fotomac.com.tr/2020-tokyo-olimpiyatlari/2021/08/06/son-dakika-spor-haberleri-2020-tokyo-olimpiyat-oyunlarinda-milli-gurescimiz-taha-akgul-bronz-madalya-kazandi)
2. [Source](https://www.ntvspor.net/foto-galeri/tokyo-2020-de-madalya-kazanan-turk-sporcular-61100645e6842023543299d1/9)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. Taha Akgül. Olympedia
5. [Source](https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/athlete/taha-akgul_1570546)