Turkiye has been awarded the hosting rights for the 2027 European Weightlifting Championships, reinforcing its growing role on the continental sporting stage. The decision comes as Istanbul is also set to host the European Games the following year, placing the country at the centre of European sport.

On the sidelines of the 2026 European Weightlifting Championships in Batumi, brief discussions were held with Talat Ünlü, president of the Turkish Weightlifting Federation, and Hasan Akkuş, a well-known academic figure in the sport who has held several senior roles in weightlifting.

Turkiye has arrived in Batumi with a delegation of 30 members, including 15 athletes competing at the championships. Ünlü described weightlifting as a deeply rooted and widely popular sport in Turkey, highlighting strong government backing as a key driver of athlete development. He pointed to the support of Osman Aşkın Bak and deputy minister Hamza Yerlikaya, noting that such institutional support plays a crucial role in preparations for major international competitions.

Talat Ünlü, president of the Turkish Weightlifting

“Turkiye has always played a prominent role in weightlifting, with its athletes consistently present at world championships and the Olympic Games. As you can see, the number of Turkish athletes in Batumi is also significant. We have competitors in almost every category.”

Reflecting on the organisation of the championships in Batumi, Ünlü praised Georgia’s hosting, describing it as “excellent” and in line with expectations for a country widely regarded as a global centre of weightlifting. The event has brought together athletes from 51 European nations.

He also highlighted Turkiye’s role in promoting women’s participation in weightlifting, noting that the country was among the early adopters in sending women’s teams to international competitions. At the national level, the federation has introduced quotas for female referees and aims to maintain a balanced representation of men and women among officials.

Professor Hasan Akkuş

Turkiye hosts between 10 and 11 national competitions each year across different age groups, involving more than 600 athletes, 50 referees and around 100 coaches. In many cases, the federation covers accommodation and competition-related costs to support participation.

The federation’s close cooperation with academic institutions was also emphasised. Ünlü pointed to Selçuk University, highlighting the contribution of Professor Akkuş. He stressed the importance of academic research in areas such as performance, nutrition and sports science.

He also referred to Turkiye’s elite athlete preparation centre in Konya, where long-term training programmes are conducted in collaboration with university specialists. Athletes undergo structured preparation under expert supervision in sport science, nutrition and medicine, with the aim of competing at major international events, including the Olympic Games.

Photos by Easy Sport