Two-time world medalist Suleyman Atli (Turkey) (Photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com)As of today, we under 50 days from the start of wrestling at the Olympic Games. Over the next 50 days, we'll bring you one profile per day of a decorated international contender. Make sure you get to know the wrestlers that Team USA will compete against in Tokyo.
7/29/21 - Abdulrashid Sadulaev (Russia)
7/27/21 - Sharif Sharifov (Azerbaijan)
7/26/21 - Ravi Kumar (India)
7/20/21 - Zaurbek Sidakov (Russia)
7/15/21 - Taha Akgul (Turkey)
7/13/21 - Artur Naifonov (Russia)
7/11/21 - Vazgen Tevanyan (Armenia)
7/10/21 - Khadzhimurad Ghadzhiev (Azerbaijan)
7/8/21 - Ali Shabanov (Belarus)
7/7/21 - Gadzhimurad Rashidov (Russia)
7/6/21 - Suleyman Karadeniz (Turkey)
7/5/21 - Frank Chamizo (Italy)
7/3/21 - Yui Susaki (Japan)
7/1/21 - Amir Zare (Iran)
6/28/21 - Zavur Uguev (Russia)
6/27/21 - Zhan Beleniuk (Ukraine)
6/26/21 - Sergey Kozyrev (Russia)
6/24/21 - Kenchiro Fumita (Japan)
6/23/21 - Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (Belarus)
6/22/21 - Erica Wiebe (Canada)
6/21/21 - Myles Amine (San Marino)
6/20/21 - Sofia Mattsson (Sweden)
6/19/21 - Hassan Yazdani Charati (Iran)
6/18/21 - Tamas Lorincz (Hungary)
6/17/21 - Takuro Otoguro (Japan)
6/16/21 - Elizbar Odikadze (Georgia)
6/15/21 - Koumba Larroque (France)
6/14/21 - Haji Aliyev (Azerbaijan)
6/13/21 - Ningning Rong (China)
6/12/21 - Bajrang Punia (India)
6/11/21 - Frank Staebler (Germany)
6/10/21 - Geno Petriashvili (Georgia)
#2 Suleyman Atli of Turkey has emerged as a perennial title contender at 57 KG going into the Tokyo Olympics. Steady improvement throughout the 2016-2020 quad saw Atli mature and grow from a dangerous, but inconsistent contender, to a full-blown title threat that, along with reigning two-time world champion #1 Zavur Uguev (RUS), is the class of the weight. Today's Olympic profile will cover the career of 2019 57 KG world runner-up #2 Suleyman Atli of Turkey.
The Stats
#2 Suleyman Atli (TUR)- 2019 world runner-up, 2018 world bronze medalist, 2020 European runner-up, 2021 European champion, 2017 U-23 European champion, 2017 U-23 world bronze medalist, 2013 50 KG Junior European champion, 2013 50 KG Junior world runner-up 2018 Tbilisi GP champion, 2016 Yasar Dogu champion, 2017 Yasar Dogu champion, 2017 European championships bronze medalist, 2018 Yasar Dogu bronze medalist, 2019 European champion, 2019 Dan Kolov runner-up, 2019 European Games bronze medalist, 2021 61 KG Matteo Pellicone runner-up.
Key Wins: #1 Zavur Uguev (2017 Yasar Dogu), #3 Nachyn Mongush (2021 European championship finals) #4 Azamat Tuskaev (2017 U-23 European championships), #8 Bekhbayar Erdenebat (2016 World Cup), Mikyay Salim Naim (2021 European championships), Kamal Kerymov (2021 European championships), #9 Gulomyon Abdullaev (2019 Dan Kolov semifinals), Thomas Gilman (2018 world bronze medal match), Andrey Yatsenko (2018 Tbilisi GP finals), Donduk-Ool Khuresh Ool (2018 Tbilisi GP), Makhir Amiraslanov (2017 Yasar Dogu finals), Vasyl Shuptar (2016 European Olympic qualifier), Giorgi Edisherashvili (2016 Yasar Dogu), Tsgotbaatar Damdinbazar (2016 Yasar Dogu finals), #3 (61) Beka Lomtadze (2017 world championships)
Key Losses: #1 Zavur Uguev (2019 world finals, 2013 50 KG Junior world finals), Thomas Gilman (2018 Yasar Dogu), #8 (61) Nurislam Sanayev (2018 world championships), Andrei Dukov ( 2015 Yasar Dogu qualification round, 2017 European championships), Ivan Guidea (2016 Olympics), #1 (65) Gadzhimurad Rashidov (2016 world cup), Vladimir Khinchegashvili (2016 World Cup), #8 Bekhbayar Erdenebat (2017 world championships), Beka Bujiashvili (2019 Dan Kolov finals), #20 Stevan Micic (2019 European Games), #16 (61) Adlan Askarov (2021 Matteo Pelicone finals), #4 Azamat Tuskaev (2020 European championships finals), Mikyay Salim Naim (2017 U-23 world championships), Garnik Mnatsakyan (2016 European Olympic Qualifier), Georgi Vangelov (2016 European championships), Fumitaka Morishita (2014 Yasar Dogu qualification round).
2011-2016
Beginning his career in 2011 at the 46 KG Cadet European Championships, Atli took seventh in the field and it would be two years before he would place at his first international competition, winning the 50 KG Junior European Championships with victories over #10 Aryan Tyutrin (BLR) and Ruslan Gasimov (AZE). At the Junior World Championships, Atli originally lost by tech fall to two-time Cadet world champion #1 Zavur Uguev of Russia, but after Uguev tested positive for diuretics, that title was given to Atli and Uguev was banned for two years.
Atli would compete only once in 2014 and 2015, both times at the Yasar Dogu, where he'd take 26th and 22nd after losses to Fumitaka Morishita (JPN) and Andrei Dukov (ROU). 2016 began with a title at the Yasar Dogu with wins over 2013 European champion Giorgi Edisherashvili (AZE) and Tsgotbaatar Damdinbaazar (MGL), followed up by a 12th place finish at the European Championships for Atli at the Senior continental championships after an opening-round loss to Georgi Vangelov of Bulgaria. With his strong showing at the Yasar Dogu, Atli was selected as Turkey's representative for the Olympic qualifiers. In a shocking turn of events, Atli would upset returning 61 KG world bronze medalist Vasyl Shuptar (UKR) in a barn burner of a match and looked well on his way to breakthrough the bracket and qualify for the Rio Olympics. But an untimely pin loss off a failed shot to Garnik Mnatsakanyan (ARM) would mean Atli would continue to have to fight on to the next qualifier. Atli's next competition, at the next Olympic qualifier, would be golden as he beat out 2015 54 KG Cadet Asian runner-up Abbos Rakhmonov of Uzbekistan. Rakhmonov had upset 2015 61 KG world bronze medalist Vasyl Shuptar of Ukraine like Atli had earlier. Now having qualified for Rio, Atli would really begin his breakthrough.
The World Cup would be Atli's chance at facing the best competition in the world in returning world finalists Hassan Rahimi (IRI), Vladimir Khinchegashvili (GEO), world bronze medalist #8 Bekhbayar Erdenebat (MGL) and European champion #1 (65) Gadzhimurad Rashidov (RUS). In this loaded field, it was sink or swim for Atli. To begin, Atli would go against Erdenebat, a 2012 Junior world champion and 2015 world bronze medalist for Mongolia. Atli was excellent in a dominant tech fall win over the Mongolian standout for the biggest win of his career. Next on the schedule for Atli was reigning European champion Rashidov. While Atli managed a stunning lat drop in the opening of the match to take the lead, Rashidov stormed back for a 10-4 win over the talented Turk. In his final match of the World Cup, Atli would face off against reigning world champion Vladimir Khinchegashvili. The Georgian standout was too much, too soon, for the Turk and his crisp low shots and scrambling won him the 7-1 win and ended Atli's tournament run with a 1-2 mark.
Expected to have an outside shot at contending in Rio, Atli would end his 2016 with a shocking 8-3 opening-round loss to Ivan Guidea of Moldova and was eliminated from competition after Guidea would lose by 10-0 tech fall in his next match to 2015 61 KG world bronze medalist Vladimir Dubov (BUL). Ending the 2012-2016 quad, Atli was in a prime position to breakthrough.
2017-2021
Starting off 2017, Atli would compete at the Yasar Dogu looking for his second title at the event. In a match between the two hottest commodities at 57 KG, Atli faced off against reigning Yarygin champion Uguev, in a rematch of their 2013 50 KG Junior world finals match won by Uguev. Uguev had been on a spectacular tear domestically in Russia, charging his way to the top spot with victories over elites the likes of Nariman Israpilov (RUS), Artem Gebek (RUS), #9 Aryan Tyutrin (BLR) and Magomedrasul Idrisov (RUS). Uguev was on top of the clouds, but Atli would bring him back to Earth and with a 7-5 victory to advance on to the gold medal match. High off the win over Uguev, Atli bulldozed 2015 Junior world champion Makhir Amirslanov (AZE) 10-0 for his second Yasar Dogu title.
The U-23 European championships would be next on the agenda for Atli and pushing through to the finals, the Turk was faced with two-time Russian Nationals bronze medalist #4 Azamat Tuskaev of Russia. Building off the momentum he had from the Yasar Dogu, Atli defeated another Russian standout in Tuskaev to walk away with gold. The Senior European championships would be another chance for Atli to shine and through to the semifinals. Atli looked the part of the champion to be. Andrei Dukov was coming off a runner-up finish at the Dan Kolov where he'd upset Makhir Amiraslanov (AZE), but while the Romanian was game, Atli was seen as too much. Dukov was not to be doubted, and a huge headlock in the second period of their European championship semifinal match would punch the Romanian through to the finals with a 7-6 win. Rebounding from the upset loss to Dukov, Atli took bronze by 11-0 tech fall over Levan Metrevelli Vartanov of Spain.
Opening the World Championships, Atli was paired against returning 61 KG world runner-up #3 (61) Beka Lomtadze (GEO). In one of the best matches of the whole tournament, Atli was able to come away with a razor-thin 8-8 win on criteria over the Georgian veteran. Next for Atli would be a rematch against 2015 world bronze medalist Erdenebat, who'd Atli made his name off of with a tech fall win at the 2016 World Cup. Erdenebat was a different animal than the first time they wrestled and Atli was his prey, taking a bruising 7-0 loss to the eventual bronze medalist and being eliminated from competition.
Punching his way through to the semifinals of the inaugural U-23 European championships with a 5-4 win over 2016 Junior world runner-up Khasanhussein Badrudinov (RUS), Atli faced 60 KG Junior European champion Mikyay Salim Naim (BUL). Atli, having taken wins over proven Senior elites, the likes of #1 Zavur Uguev (RUS) and #3 (61) Beka Lomtadze (GEO) was expected to beat Salim Naim and make the finals with no issue. Salim Naim made it known right away that Atli was not the man destined for the finals, as right from the get-go, he countered the offense of the Turk to pull away with a stunning 11-4 upset win. Concluding his tumultuous 2017, Atli finished with bronze at the U-23 World Championships by way of a 6-3 win over Wanhao Zou of China.
2018 would be a late start for Atli as he wouldn't make his return to competition until July at the Tbilisi Grand Prix. Atli made the most of it, though, looking exceptional with wins over Russian Nationals runner-up Donduk-Ool Khuresh-Ool (RUS) and returning world bronze medalist Andrey Yatsenko (UKR) to take his first gold of the season. At the end of July, Atli would compete again at the Yasar Dogu, looking to win his third title. In his quarterfinal match against returning world runner-up Thomas Gilman (USA), Atli would fall victim to the American's punishing style of wrestling and take a 7-5 loss. With Gilman going on to make the finals and win gold over Dimchik Rinchinov (BLR), Atli would be pulled into repechage where he won bronze 10-6 #7 (61) Taras Markovych (UKR).
Atli would look excellent to begin the 2018 World Championships, outscoring 2017 European runner-up Dukov and 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games runner-up #18 Nodiryun Safarov (UZB) 26-5 in two tech fall wins to make the quarterfinals against 61 KG Asian champion #8 (61) Nurislam Sanayev (KAZ). Sanayev was on another level, pushing through Atli and handling the Turk's best offense to pull away with an 11-6 win to move onto the semifinals, where he tech falled returning world runner-up Thomas Gilman (USA) 11-0 to make the finals. Getting his chance of revenge against Gilman from the Yasar Dogu, Atli would stand up to the American's pressure and use a late score to take a 5-4 win and win world bronze.
2019 began with a strong run to the finals at the Dan Kolov for Atli, avenging his 2016 loss to Georgi Vangelov (BUL) and beating #9 Gulomyon Abdullaev (UZB). Facing Beka Bujiashvili of Georgia in the finals, Atli pushed his signature high attack rate, but the Georgian, well known for his counter offense based on his chest wrap, pulled away with an exposure heavy 6-4 win over the returning world medalist.
Atli's follow-up performance at the European championships would reestablish himself as a title contender, winning gold with victories over Yarygin champion Muslim Sadulaev (RUS), Georgi Vangelov (BUL), and Amiraslanov. The European Games would be Atli's chance of a rubber match against reigning world champion Uguev, but in a shocking turn of events, both men suffered upsets to the likes of Amiraslanov for Uguev in the semis and 2018 European championships bronze medalist #20 Stevan Micic (SRB) for Atli. Atli would take bronze by 12-9 win #7 (61) Taras Markovych (UKR) and Uguev bronze with a 10-2 win over Georgi Vangelov (BUL). The finals saw a resurgent Amiraslanov bully Micic for the 9-1 win and European gold.
At the World Championships, looking to improve from his bronze from the year before, Atli marched on to the world finals with wins avenging in the quarterfinals and semifinals avenging losses to Micic and Sanayev. A close opening period against returning world champion Uguev (RUS) gave way to a powerful takedown and explosive series of exposures from par-terre for Uguev to take a dominant 13-3 win over Atli for gold. Atli was believed to be the man capable of shutting down Uguev, but Uguev had jumped levels from his loss to Amiraslanov, separated himself from the pack. With the breakthrough of Indian contender #5 Ravi Kumar, who took bronze as a future challenge for Uguev, Atli's status as a potential champion in Tokyo was in jeopardy.
2020 began for Atli at the European championships, looking to double up after having won gold over Muslim Sadulaev of Russia the year prior. Micic, Mihran Jaburyan (ARM) and Dukov would lead Atli to his finals match opposite Yarygin champion Tuskaev. In a rematch from their 2017 U-23 European finals, Tuskaev proved himself to have the upper hand over Atli and walked away with European gold by way of a 3-1 win. Atli finished his 2020 with a fifth-place finish at 65 KG in November at the Ziolkowski.
Making the cut back down from foray at 65 KG at the end of 2020, Atli made the finals of the 61 KG Matteo Pellicone to start 2021. In the finals, facing 2019 U-23 World runner-up #16 (61) Adlan Askarov (KAZ), Atli took silver to Askarov after an opening-round 8-3 loss in round-robin action. Concluding his 2021 campaign before Tokyo at the European Championships, Atli made the return to 57 KG and captured gold by an electrifying 6-5 win over Russian Nationals runner-up #3 Nachyn Mongush (RUS).
As the consensus number two in the world behind reigning two-time world champion #1 Zavur Uguev, Atli is still very much a threat for the rest of the field in Tokyo. With the breakthrough of contenders, the likes of #9 Gulomyon Abdullaev (UZB), Kumar, along with the ever-present threat of old rival Micic, Atli will be pushed to the limit in Tokyo to medal.
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