Husein Mehmedov, Bulgarian-Turkish wrestler and coach (d. 2014)
Husein Mehmedov (Bulgarian: Хюсеин Мехмедов), born on January 25, 1924, and passing away on March 9, 2014, was a distinguished Bulgarian wrestler of Turkish descent who carved out a notable international career, most prominently competing at the 1956 Summer Olympics. His unique background as part of the significant Turkish minority in Bulgaria intrinsically linked him to the sport of wrestling, deeply ingrained in Turkish culture as its national sport, notably including traditional forms like *Yağlı güreş* (oil wrestling).
Introduced to wrestling at a young age, a common path for many from the Turkish community given its historical and cultural significance, Mehmedov demonstrated exceptional talent. He competed exclusively in the heavyweight category throughout his career, showcasing remarkable prowess in both major styles: Greco-Roman wrestling, which focuses solely on upper body grappling and throws, and freestyle wrestling, which permits holds below the waist including leg attacks and trips. This dual proficiency was a testament to his strength, technical skill, and comprehensive understanding of the sport.
Mehmedov’s dedication to the sport saw him selected to the Bulgarian national wrestling team in 1950, immediately following his period of military service with the Bulgarian Army. This marked the beginning of a relatively brief yet highly impactful international trajectory for the Bulgarian heavyweight.
His international debut came at the 1955 World Student Games, a significant multi-sport event for amateur athletes and a precursor to the modern Universiade, where he immediately made his mark by securing a gold medal in the Greco-Roman heavyweight division. Building on this success, 1956 proved to be a pivotal year. At the prestigious World Cup, Mehmedov earned bronze medals in both Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling, firmly establishing himself as a formidable contender for medals in both heavyweight categories at the upcoming 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia.
At the Melbourne Games, Husein Mehmedov achieved a career highlight, capturing a silver medal in the freestyle wrestling heavyweight division. This Olympic medal was a significant achievement for both him personally and for Bulgarian wrestling on the international stage. However, his aspirations for a second medal were cut short just a few days later when, after competing in two bouts, he was unfortunately forced to withdraw from the Greco-Roman event due to an injury. This incident underscored the immense physical demands and risks inherent in high-level competitive wrestling.
Despite the Olympic setback, Mehmedov continued his impressive run in 1957. He returned to the World Student Games, demonstrating his versatility and dominance by winning a gold medal in freestyle and a silver medal in Greco-Roman heavyweight. Later that same year, he further solidified his international standing by earning a bronze medal at the 1957 World Freestyle Wrestling Championships, one of the sport's premier competitions. This particular World Championship marked Husein Mehmedov’s final international appearance as he concluded his highly successful competitive career in 1959.
Following his retirement from active competition, Mehmedov transitioned into coaching, dedicating himself to nurturing new talent in Bulgaria until 1989. This year marked a significant turning point, as he emigrated to Turkey amidst the "Big Excursion" (Голямата екскурзия), a period of forced emigration and political pressure on ethnic Turks in Bulgaria orchestrated by the Communist regime during the late 1980s. He settled in Istanbul, Turkey's largest city and cultural hub, where he lived out his remaining years, passing away in March 2014 at the age of 90.
- Frequently Asked Questions About Husein Mehmedov
What was Husein Mehmedov's nationality and ethnicity?
Husein Mehmedov was a Bulgarian national of Turkish descent, representing Bulgaria in international wrestling competitions. His heritage connected him deeply to wrestling, which is considered Turkey's national sport.
What was Husein Mehmedov's primary achievement in wrestling?
His most significant achievement was winning a silver medal in freestyle wrestling at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia.
What wrestling styles did Husein Mehmedov compete in?
He was exceptionally proficient and competed in both Greco-Roman wrestling, focusing on upper body holds, and freestyle wrestling, which allows leg attacks, primarily in the heavyweight category.
When did Husein Mehmedov end his competitive wrestling career?
His last international appearance was at the 1957 World Freestyle Wrestling Championships, and he officially concluded his highly successful competitive career in 1959.
What did Husein Mehmedov do after his competitive wrestling career?
He transitioned into a wrestling coach in Bulgaria, dedicating himself to the sport until 1989 when he emigrated to Istanbul, Turkey, amidst a significant period of emigration for ethnic Turks from Bulgaria.