Celal Atik (1920 â 27 April 1979) was a Turkish wrestler and coach. He competed both in Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling, but had his best achievements in the freestyle, winning gold medals at the 1948 Olympics, 1951 World and 1946 and 1949 European championships.
Atik was born in the village of Gürdan in the BoÃÂazlñyan district of Yozgat Province, Turkey. He changed his family name from "DoÃÂan" to "Atik" (literally, "Slippy") after a proposal by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, who noticed his speed at the 1938 national championships.
After retiring from competition, from 1955 to 1979 he coached the national wrestling team and prepared multiple international competitors. Appointed the head trainer by the International Wrestling Federation (FILA) in Switzerland, he gave lessons on wrestling techniques to sportspeople from all around the world.
He is recognized as one of Turkey's best wrestlers, with exceptional technique as well as the most aesthetic physique. In addition to his other honors, he was awarded with the Légion d'honneur of France.
Atik died at a hospital in Ankara, on 27 April 1979. Two sports hallsâÂÂone in ðzmir with a capacity of 1,200 people and another one in his hometown YozgatâÂÂare named after him.