Vehbi Emre

Vehbi Emre was a Turkish Greco-Roman wrestler, international referee, and wrestling administrator. He played a key role in the development of Turkish wrestling throughout the 20th century. His name is commemorated in the annual international wrestling event, the Vehbi Emre & Hamit Kaplan Tournament.

Career

Vehbi Emre was born in 1907 in Istanbul, Ottoman Empire. He started wrestling at Haliç Fener Sports Club. During the 1920s, he was among the leading Turkish wrestlers who represented the country internationally. He retired from active competition at an early age and went on to become a referee and then a wrestling official.
Fluent in English, German, and French, Emre was involved in the international promotion of Turkish wrestling for decades. His brother Veysi Emre was a track and field athlete, and his son Halim Emre was a national sailor for Turkey.
Between 1937 and 1961, he served as president of the Turkish Wrestling Federation for a total of 15 years in separate terms. During his tenure, he contributed to the institutionalization and international success of Turkish wrestling.
From 1949 to 1981, Emre served as the vice president of the Asia–Europe Committee of the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles, now known as United World Wrestling. In 1971, he served as acting president of FILA, and in 1976 he was honored with the title of FILA honorary president.
Emre died in 1981 in Istanbul. To honor his memory, the Turkish Wrestling Federation has organized the annual Vehbi Emre & Hamit Kaplan Tournament, which has become one of the most prestigious Greco-Roman wrestling events and part of the UWW ranking series.