Mahmut Atalay

Mahmut Atalay (30 March 1934 – 4 December 2004) was a Turkish freestyle wrestler and coach of Circassian origin. He competed at the 1964 and 1968 Olympics and won a gold medal in 1968, placing fourth in 1964.[1]

Mahmut Atalay

Atalay (center) at the 1966 World Championships
Personal information
Born	30 March 1934 Çorum, Turkey[1]
Died	4 December 2004 (aged 70) Ankara, Turkey
Height	171 cm (5 ft 7 in)
Sport
Sport	Freestyle wrestling
Medal record Representing  Turkey Olympic Games 1968 Mexico City 78 kg World Championships 1966 Toledo 78 kg 1965 Manchester 70 kg European Championships 1967 Istanbul 78 kg 1966 Karlsruhe 78 kg Mediterranean Games 1963 Naples 70 kg 1959 Beirut 78 kg Balkan Championships 1965 Yambol 78 kg 1962 Istanbul 78 kg

He was born 1934 in Çorak, a village of Çorum Province in northern Turkey. He began wrestling in the traditional Turkish karakucak style before changing to freestyle wrestling. He was admitted to the national team after winning the national title in 1959, and received training by the renowned wrestlers such as Yaşar Doğu, Celal Atik and Nasuh Akar. He became national champion 15 times, and besides his Olympic gold won several medals at other international competitions.[1][2] In 1968, he was honored by the International Wrestling Federation with the award "Most Technical Wrestler of the World".[3] He retired from competitions in 1968 and then worked as a national wrestling coach for 16 years.

Atalay died on 4 December 2004 in Ankara following a heart attack. He was survived by his wife Perihan and three children.