22.06.2025 18:40
In the ongoing Minikler Turkey Wrestling Championship in Sivas, an athlete who was declared the winner by default when his opponent arrived late to the venue accepted the technical committee's offer of "Will you wrestle?" when his opponent finally showed up, and was eliminated from the tournament after losing 5-0. The athlete was awarded the "most sportsmanlike wrestler" medal for his exemplary behavior.
In the Minikler Turkey Wrestling Championship held in Sivas, the wrestler who was declared the winner by default due to his opponent's late arrival accepted the technical committee's offer of "Will you wrestle?" when his opponent arrived and was eliminated from the tournament after losing 5-0. The athlete was awarded the "most gentlemanly wrestler" medal for his exemplary behavior.
In the organization organized by the Turkish Wrestling Federation at the Taha Akgül Sports Hall in 5 different age groups, Akıncan Yıldırım, a member of Bartın Ulu Çınar Sports Club, was declared the winner by default when his opponent Ramazan Tunahan Kılıç was late for the match. The technical committee asked Akıncan Yıldırım whether he would wrestle when his opponent Ramazan Tunahan Kılıç arrived.
Despite being declared the winner by default, Akıncan accepted to wrestle and was eliminated from the organization after losing 5-0 to his opponent. Akıncan Yıldırım was awarded the "most gentlemanly wrestler" medal by the Turkish Wrestling Federation for his exemplary behavior. Akıncan Yıldırım told AA reporter that the referee raised his hand to declare him the winner when his opponent did not come to the mat.
Stating that he wanted to wrestle when his opponent arrived, Akıncan expressed that he was happy with the gentlemanliness medal he received despite his defeat.
''MY ATHLETE MADE US HAPPY WITH HIS EXEMPLARY BEHAVIOR''
Akıncan Yıldırım's coach İshak Çapaş stated that despite the 10 minutes that passed after the match time, the opponent did not come to the mat.
Çapaş reported that when the opponent arrived, the referees asked Akıncan if he wanted to wrestle, and expressed that his athlete received the "most gentlemanly athlete" award despite losing.
Congratulating Akıncan for his exemplary behavior, Çapaş said, "It was a super organization. It was a perfect tournament in every way. We reflect what the ancestral sport requires to our athletes. Since we reflect morality and discipline, our athlete also did what was necessary and made us happy with his behavior." he said.
''I BECAME 3RD THANKS TO MY OPPONENT''
Ramazan Tunahan Kılıç, a member of Kahramanmaraş Tek Işık Sports Club, congratulated his opponent.
Despite winning by default, Tunahan expressed that he wanted to compete, saying, "I was late for the match. I got to compete thanks to my opponent. This is my first time wrestling, and I am very happy to be 3rd."
Tunahan's mother, Rabia Kılıç, also stated that they were late for the competition due to traffic congestion.
Noting that Akıncan Yıldırım accepted to wrestle despite winning, Kılıç said, "When Akıncan accepted to wrestle, Tunahan got a chance. I thank his family very much; they have raised a very beautiful child. They have raised a compassionate child like a diamond. Thanks to you, Tunahan got to compete; may God bless you."