National weightlifter Yusuf Fehmi Genç from Ordu, who succeeded in winning 9 medals in the weightlifting championships he participated in in 2025, continues to work for the gold medal in the European Championship to be held in Georgia in 2026.
The national athlete, who started his sports career with wrestling in secondary school and then took up weightlifting upon the advice of his physical teacher, managed to win Turkish, European and world championships in his nearly 10-year career.
Yusuf Fehmi Genç, who won the championship with 2 gold medals in 71 kilos at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games held in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, in November, will compete in the new weight of 75 kilos in the European Championship to be held in 2026.
Genç, who continues his preparations in his hometown Ünye district of Ordu, said that 2025 was a good year for him and that he won 9 medals, most of them gold, from the championships he participated in.
Stating that he was proud to have the National Anthem sung in different countries of the world, Genç said, “I became the European champion by breaking a record at the beginning of 2025. This was a very valuable achievement for me. Because this record we broke would be buried in history as our weight would change. Just like Naim Süleymanoğlu and Halil Mutlu, we also had a record that was buried in history.” he said.
Reminding that he later participated in the world championship, Genç said, “I became third in the world because I had a little misfortune there. My goal was to win the world championship for the second time. I did my best, but I finished the championship in third place. Afterwards, I also won the gold medal in the Under-23 European Championship held in my age category.” he said.
Stating that he recently represented his country in the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games held in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, Yusuf Fehmi Genç reminded that he won 2 gold medals in clean and jerk with 190 kilos and 336 kilos in total and reached the championship.
Genç stated that he won 9 medals, 6 of which were gold, in 2025 and emphasized that he wanted to continue the same success.
“I WANT TO BREAK A NEW EUROPEAN RECORD”
Expressing that he continues to work for the European Championship to be held in Georgia in 2026, Genç continued his words as follows:
“I have already started training in my hometown for this championship. When I enter the National Team camp, I will continue my training more devotedly. I am now a more experienced athlete. Because every competition I go to gives me more experience. I will participate in competitions in my new weight in 2026. My first goal is to become the European champion in the organization to be held in Georgia and I want to break a new European record in the 75 kilo weight class.”
Referring to the fact that 2026 will be an important year for him, Genç said, “There will be a world championship in 2026. This is also a championship that will give a quota to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. We will take the first step towards the Olympics there. I hope I will get the quota by achieving good results in the world championship.” he said.
“I WORK WITH THE DISCIPLINE BEHIND AN ATHLETE”
Pointing out that weightlifting is a challenging sports branch, Genç said:
“We weigh more than three times our weight. But when you have self-confidence, you can overcome it. Likewise, I work with the discipline befitting an athlete during the preparation processes. Not all of the medals I won in 2025 were gold medals. I know my rivals now. I will continue to work more devotedly and disciplined to make all of these medals gold in 2026.”
Emphasizing that his main goal is the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Genç said, “It is important to participate in the Olympics, but I do not want to return empty-handed when I go there. That is why I train with a very different training strategy. The biggest goal and dream of an athlete is the Olympic gold medal. I am fighting for that, too. If it continues like this, I hope to bring an Olympic medal to our country.” he said.
Yusuf Fehmi Genç concluded his words by thanking everyone, especially his family, who contributed to his success in weightlifting.