Who Is Rıza Kayaalp? Age, Biography and Wiki
Rıza Kayaalp was born on October 10, 1989, in Yozgat, Turkey. As of 2025, he is 35 years old. Kayaalp is best known for his remarkable achievements in the sport of wrestling, particularly in Greco-Roman wrestling. With multiple championships under his belt, including European and World titles, Rıza has established himself as one of the leading figures in Turkey's sports history. His dedication to the sport and relentless pursuit of excellence have made him a role model for aspiring athletes.
| Occupation | Wrestlers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 10, 1989 |
| Age | 36 Years |
| Birth Place | Yozgat, Turkey |
| Horoscope | Libra |
| Country | Turkey |
Popularity
Rıza Kayaalp's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Standing at an impressive height of 1.88 meters (6 feet 2 inches), Rıza Kayaalp maintains a well-conditioned physique essential for a competitive wrestler. His competitive weight class fluctuates around 130 kg (287 lbs), which allows him to compete against formidable opponents in his category. Kayaalp's rigorous training regimen and disciplined lifestyle contribute to his exceptional body stats, enabling him to perform at peak levels.
In 2022, he won one of the bronze medals in his event at the Vehbi Emre & Hamit Kaplan Tournament, the first United World Wrestling Ranking Series event of the year, held in Istanbul, Turkey. He won the gold medal in the men's 130 kg event at the 2022 European Wrestling Championships held in Budapest, Hungary.
Kayaalp claimed a 4–0 victory over Danila Sotnikov from Italy in the 130 kg Greco-Roman division in Hungary's capital. Rıza Kayaalp won his eleventh gold medal in the 130 kg Greco-Roman division.
He won the gold medal in the men's 130 kg event at the Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series 2022, the third United World Wrestling Ranking Series event of the year, held in Rome, Italy. Kayaalp claimed a 4–0 victory over Sabah Shariati from Azerbaijan in the 130 kg Greco-Roman division.
Rıza Kayaalp beats Amin Mirzazadeh of Iran in men's Greco-Roman 130 kg at 2022 World Wrestling Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. Kayaalp bagged his fifth world championship as he won gold medal in men's Greco-Roman 120 kg at 2011 Istanbul and three golds in men's Greco-Roman 130 kg at 2015 Las Vegas, 2017 Paris and 2019 Nur-Sultan.
Kayaalp became the first Turkish wrestler to win the world championship for the 5th time. Kayaalp, said he had been battling a shoulder injury and other ailments over the past two months during his preparation for Belgrade.
"Preparing for the World Championships with the injuries was very hard for me, especially in the last training camp it is very important to stay injury free," Kayaalp said. "I knew that the injuries will affect me in the final fight, so I changed my tactic a little bit. My defense is very good and we knew that."
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Rıza Kayaalp tends to keep his personal life relatively private. As of 2025, there have been speculations about his relationship status. However, he has not publicly confirmed any boyfriend or girlfriend, preferring to focus on his career goals and athletic achievements. His commitment to family is evident, as he often shares insights about the importance of family support in his wrestling journey.
Net Worth and Salary
As an elite athlete, Rıza Kayaalp's net worth is estimated to be around $2 million as of 2025. His earnings primarily come from his wrestling career, prize money from competitions, endorsements, and sponsorships. Kayaalp's dedication and success in wrestling have made him a sought-after figure for various brands, contributing significantly to his overall financial status.
Career, Business and Investments
Rıza Kayaalp's career spans over two decades, with numerous accolades that showcase his prowess on the wrestling mat. He gained international fame after securing a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics, followed by a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. His career continued to flourish, earning him titles at the European Championships and World Championships.
In addition to his wrestling career, Kayaalp is keen on diversifying his portfolio through various investments, particularly in fitness and wellness-related ventures. He has considered opportunities in coaching and mentoring young wrestlers, giving back to the sport that shaped his life.
In 2023, Rıza Kayaalp became European Champion for the 12th in Greco-Roman 130 kilogram at the 2023 European Wrestling Championships in Zagreb, Croatia. Kayaalp, 33, defeated Sabah Shariati from Azerbaijan with a 2–1 result to win the gold medal in the Croatian capital Zagreb.
He reached the final with 8–0 technical victories over Boris Petrusic of Serbia, Oskar Marvik of Norway and Mantas Knystautas of Lithuania. With this gold, Kayaalp equaled Aleksandr Karelin's record of 12 European gold medals.
Kayaalp won the silver medal at the 2023 World Wrestling Championships in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, in the final match of the men's 130 kg wrestling championships in the men's greco-roman style with a 1-1 draw against his Iranian rival Amin Mirzazadeh with 7 seconds to go and lost the match due to the last point advantage of his Iranian riva
l.
Kayaalp defeated Egyptian Abdellatif Mohamed 7-2 in the second round match, Estonian Heiki Nabi 9-0 with technical superiority in the quarterfinal match and Chinese Meng Lingzhe 3-1 in the semifinal match. With this result, Rıza Kayaalp qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Social Network
Rıza Kayaalp is actively engaged on social media, leveraging platforms like Instagram and Twitter to connect with fans and share moments from his life and career. His Instagram handle, where he often posts training sessions, achievements, and personal reflections, has garnered a substantial following, enhancing his popularity both as an athlete and a public figure.
Education
Rıza Kayaalp pursued his education in Turkey, focusing on both his studies and his wrestling career. He has emphasized the importance of education alongside sports, promoting a balanced approach to life for young athletes. Although detailed information about his educational background may not be publicly available, it is clear that Kayaalp values the knowledge and experiences that come with education.
Rıza Kayaalp (born 10 October 1989) is a World and European champion, and retired Turkish classic wrestler competing in the 130 kg division. He is 5 time world (2011, 2015, 2017, 2019 ve 2022) and 12 time European (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023) champion.
He won silver at the 2016 Summer Olympics and won bronze medals at the 2012 and 2020 Summer Olympics. He is a graduate of the Aksaray University Physical Education and Sports Academy and studies his master's degree at Bozok University.
