Wrestling News: Cenk Ildem, who was nicknamed “Bronze Man” of the Greco-Roman Wrestling National Team, said he wanted to win a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, which was postponed to 2021 due to covid-19 outbreak. The wrestler who continues to work on strength, condition and coordination at the Bolu Alada? Camp Training Center, stated to Turkish news daily, the pandemic has affected wrestling a lot.
He added that they are camping far away from the city at an altitude of 3000 ft. “Although it is not certain, a world championship is scheduled for December. Our camp is helping us prepare for the championships. Now everything is fine. The only thing we lack is mat training,” he said.
During the lockdown, Ildem trained individually with his coach and is now eager to begin mat training for the Tokyo Games. Emphasizing that he wants to finish his career after the Tokyo Olympics, the Turkish wrestler said, “I want to get a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. 2021 is very important to me. We are training day and night for it,” he said.
Recalling that his Rio Olympics bronze medal win, ?ldem said, “Of course, our goals are always high. This time I want to get the gold medal. In my career, I have 10 bronze medals obtained in the world and European championships”.
Ildem has qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in 97 Greco-Roman weight category. Turkey has confirmed quota in four out 16 places. They still have two chances with European and World Olympic Qualifiers scheduled for next year.
