Top 5 Popular Sports Games in Turkey 2024
Soccer is one of Turkey’s favorite sports, with fans fiercely supporting both local and national teams in packed stadiums and with rabid fan bases. But this is just the tip of the iceberg; in fact, Turkey is so passionate about sports that it is developing all areas and performing well on the world sports scene. Sports fans are also passionate, making predictions on the result in the games of their favorite controversial ones, so keep up with the others – go to melbet-africa.org for online betting.
By the way, wrestling is another favorite Olympic sport in Turkey, with many top athletes competing in each Olympics. Naim Suleymanoglu, nicknamed Pocket Hercules, has three Olympic gold medals under his belt and is an icon of strength for all of Turkey. Let’s take a look at the most popular sports that Turkish people enjoy.
1. Football
Association football (commonly referred to as soccer) remains the unifying force that transcends club rivalries to bring people together and build national pride, with world class players such as Radomir Antic, Toni Schumacher, Gheorghe Hagi Mario Jardel Hedo Turkoglu and Ersan Ilyasova representing Turkiye at international tournaments.
Basketball and volleyball are also widely practiced sports in Turkey, with the Turkish Basketball Super League serving as an elite domestic competition while clubs compete regularly in European tournaments like EuroLeague. Furthermore, the men’s national basketball team qualified for FIBA World Cup competition both times between 2001 and 2010, boasting stars like Hedo Turkoglu, Mehmet Okur, and Ersan Ilyasova all making professional NBA rosters.
The UIPM 2024 Pentathlon World Cup will take place in Ankara this April, showcasing the pinnacle of modern pentathlon athleticism. This difficult sport requires agility, endurance, pistol shooting, cross-country running and show jumping. In preparation for hosting this prestigious event, Turkey Olympic Committee has worked diligently on improving infrastructure and transport systems ahead of its hostship.
2. Wrestling
Wrestling is an immensely popular sport in Turkey, and some of its finest wrestlers compete at international tournaments. Hamza Yerlikaya and Riza Kayaalp are two acclaimed grapplers from this nation who are among its best competitors.
Oil wrestling is one of the more unusual forms of wrestling, with contestants covered from head to foot with olive or vegetable oils such as canola oil. Held regularly in Turkey’s cities such as Edirne’s Kirkpinar tournament.
Annual competitions feature an exciting festival with music, dancing and food including grilled lamb – making oil wrestling one of the most intriguing spectator sports ever! Despite its bizarre nature, oil wrestling remains highly entertaining to watch.
Judo, another fighting sport, is also immensely popular in Turkey due to the success of national player Marsel Ilhan who made the top 100 world ranking list in 2013.
3. Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which players use all parts of their bodies to hit and move a ball across a net into an opponent’s field. It is played on a sand court divided by a net, featuring both offensive and defensive tasks. Volleyball was invented at Holyoke College by W. G. Morgan as an emotionally neutral way of training physical education instructors;
Volleyball’s popularity has rapidly expanded since 2015, thanks to large social media promotions that draw fans. TV coverage also helps build the fan base. Despite ongoing cultural pushback against homosexuals, women’s national volleyball team victories energize citizens who believe unity can overcome division. Selin Yildiz co-founded Sportif Lezbon – Turkey’s first sports club which welcomes LGBTI+ individuals – which draws inspiration from these victories and continues to welcome members. Her success as part of Sportif Lezbon also fuels her work as co-founder; she attributes their success to fuelling her work as co-founding Sportif Lezbon.
4. Weightlifting
Weightlifting has long been an invaluable source of national pride and has produced world-class athletes. Naim Suleymanoglu, known as the “Pocket Hercules,” holds three Olympic gold medals and holds 58 world records; only seven people in history have ever lifted more than triple their own bodyweight! He holds these achievements alongside several world records as an Olympic medalist.
Athletics is another widely practiced sport in Turkey and many of their athletes have achieved great success on a European stage – Elvan Abeylegesse won gold and silver respectively at the 2010 European Championships, while Alemitu Bekele set two world records in 10,000 metres events.
Turkey, boasting four seas, is an ideal setting for water sports activities. Swimming is particularly popular, and numerous national and international competitions take place there every year. Furthermore, Turkey’s scenic waters attract sailors, many opting to cruise on board gulets or yachts for relaxing holidays while in Turkey.
5. Tennis
Turkey is an athletic powerhouse, consistently winning medals at international events like the World Championships and Olympic Games. Athletes like Derya Buyukuncu (six-time Olympian) and Naim Suleymanoglu, known by some as Pocket Hercules), inspire and motivate millions across their nation with their strength, perseverance and success – creating an uplifting ethos throughout society.
Handball is an increasingly popular team sport that requires players to pass the ball with their hands in an attempt to score points by throwing it into an opponent’s goal. Played on a 40×20-meter court, anyone of any age and ability can enjoy this thrilling competition; Ramazan Done from the national handball team serves as an inspiring role model and inspires young competitors with her skillful performances that propel them toward excellence.
Tennis, a fast-paced yet elegant sport that involves hitting a small ball with a racket, ranks fifth most popular sports game in Turkey. Ipek Soylu is helping shape Turkish tennis’ future as an exciting talent who paves a bright path forward for Turkish tennis players.